The clocks have gone forward, we lost an hour but gained lighter evenings

Bright sunny days and light evenings, tulips and daffs flowering along with anemones, grape hyacinths and forget-me-nots.  What's not to like about this time of year?  Of course, the date the clock's go forward by an hour is strange as you feel oddly discombobulated for the entire day.  The same goes for when the clocks go back in the autumn.  Time's shifted when it's normally so dependable, and your internal body clock needs a while to adjust.  

In between gardening and allotmenting I've completed another page for my Ann Wood stitchbook, and that - if my maths is correct - means I've only 6 more pages to sew before I'm all done 'n' dusted.  

I also began making another fabric book, this one nothing to do with the stitchbook challenge.  I have a rectangle of sample fabric that's ideal for a cover, being a sturdier upholstery material, and sewed a scrap of Indian embroidery on to it.  Plus added a sari-silk ribbon as a closure.  

There are half a dozen pages inside, though I might add more as the mood takes me.  

I've got various little pieces of slow stitching, and will use these to make tags or pockets for the book. (Might include this wee felted leaf too.  Then again, I might not ...)

By the way, those stitchy things are laid on top of this.  I finished reading 'The Kingmaker's Daughter' this morning, and it was a fascinating story.  Yet again Philippa Gregory's bought to life the incredible precariousness of girls and women's lives in the 1400s.  They really were pawns in the games of their fathers or husbands.  Married off to whomever was chosen for them, having no say about their future, only really thought of value if they provided their husband with healthy sons and heirs.  

Anyway, after that literary interruption, I'll get back to crafty things.  I treated myself recently to a Zutter machine.  It's a nifty little device that can be used to punch holes in paper and card, and to add a spiral binding to homemade notebooks and journals.  I'd seen one used by a YouTuber, and had a nosey-around on Amazon to see how much one would cost me.  Too much was the answer.  At least £75 for the machine, and more for a pack of the wires.  Thankfully I thought to look on eBay, and got both for less than £30.  A bargain price!  It's taking me a few attempts to get the hang of using the Zutter, but above is my first successful effort, a little junk journal.  I'm hoping to make similar books to give as gifts.  

Right, that's about all for now.  I need to go outside again and enjoy the afternoon sunshine and the fat bumble bees and butterflies that're buzzing and flitting about.  

Hope you enjoy your day, and haven't fallen for any lame April Fool's pranks.  Bye!