Let's Celebrate - It's Spring

It's officially the first day of spring but I think the quote by Henry Van Dyke probably sums it up : "The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another.  The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month."

However, we are going to be optimistic that the gorgeous weather of last week will return and in the meantime here are a few more quotes and some songs to get you in the mood.

"In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours."  -- Mark Twain

Here Comes the Sun - - the Beatles

"Sweet April showers do spring May flowers." -- Thomas Tusser

Walking on Sunshine -- Katrina and the Waves

"A little madness in the Spring Is wholesome even for the King." -- Emily Dickinson

Beautiful Day - - U2

"I want to do to you what spring does with the cherry trees." -- Pablo Neruda

Morning has Broken -- Cat Stevens

"Spring is God's way of saying, 'One more time!'" -- Robert Orben

Spring Fever -- Elvis Presley

"It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" -- Mark Twain

Spring Vacation -- the Beach Boys

"O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?" -- Percy Bysshe Shelley

Feelin' Groovy -- Simon and Garfunkel

"The sun was warm but the wind was chill. You know how it is with an April day." -- Robert Frost

Sunshine of Your Life --Cream

"Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!" -- Sitting Bull

Sunny -- Bobby Hebb

"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"" -- Robin Williams

You are the Sunshine of my Life -- Stevie Wonder

"I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring.  Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth?" -- Edward Giobbi

Zip a dee doo dah -- James Baskett

"Life stands before me like an eternal spring with new and brilliant clothes." -- Carl Friedrich Gauss

Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

"You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming." -- Pablo Neruda

Sunshine on my Shoulders - John Denver

"Under the giving snow blossoms a daring spring." -- Terri Guillemets

Do you have a song or quote that sums up Spring for you?  Do tell us and leave a comment.

And of course, we couldn't let the opportunity pass without sharing some of our favourite photos of babes wearing our spring time hats.

tulips

bunnies

lambs

bluebells

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Boutique and Unique - McQueens

In my previous life as a TV producer I was lucky enough to meet and film with Kally Ellis of McQueens. Their designs were trendsetting at the time and revisiting their website they clearly still are today. From early on they were feted and flown to LA to decorate the Vanity Fair Oscar bash. 

And of course part of the reason for blogging about them today is because it's Valentine's Day.  And McQueens have themed their bouquets with the names of romantic films including Love, Actually, An Affair to Remember, The Age of Innocence and From Here to Eternity.

When Kally Ellis set up McQueens in 1991,she had one aim in mind. “I wanted to sell simple, stylish flowers, beautifully presented, to the London market. And I knew people would love it.” Kally drew on her business experience working in the marketing team of a large international French merchant bank. With a strong sense of colour and design, and a genuine passion for flowers, it has proved to be a winning combination, establishing McQueens as the premier name in the UK flower market – and beyond.  “It never fails to surprise me when I receive calls about our flowers from Hollywood and Japan,” says Kally. “It’s amazing to think that from a small shop in Clerkenwell, we’ve built a reputation for quality and innovation that’s known the world over. Yes, I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved.”

I have always loved flowers and did nurture a dream that if I won the lottery I'd set up my own shop but I've settled for making the odd display including arrangements for my sister in law's reception and my own altar piece at my wedding. But nothing as impressive as this by McQueens.

I have always meant to treat myself to taking a course (I don't think the visiting florist to our guide company when I was about 12 was enough, although I did learn about the rule of using triangles which has probably long gone out the window!).   

So although I doubt I'll be able to make it to McQueens in London, I'm sure that there are some great courses available to me locally and to you where-ever you live in the UK. So get googling and find yourself a course now.

But of course I did make my own flowers of a fashion and can make up a bouquet of lilies, roses and tulips.  You can see them here and buy them from our website too.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk