Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's!

Sweet friends, how are you!

yesterday I found something that gave the me intense urge of sharing it with you: a tulip! I have missed you, and to my horror I realized it had been way too long...

it took me by surprise to find this little tulip, in my 'soon to be cottage' garden, and it let me know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that hibernation is over! 
:)

It has been a long cold and wet winter for Cyprus standards, and our favourite past-time has been to go for long drives and discover all the little streams and enjoy the lush greens. It feels like the earth is refreshed, and helping us all get ready for the hot summer ahead.



Making the best out of the cooler temperatures, also means that we have enjoyed cosy home time: sitting by the fire offering me the opportunity to hand-quilt to my heart's content. It has been years that I have been so focused on Handquilting and I had really missed it. Not that my stack of Quilts waiting to be quilted has noticed much of a difference, but hopefully I can keep at it for a while longer and make a bit of a dent.

I will soon be able to show you the results of this year's efforts, as my little Camelot is to be featured in the Dutch Quilting Mag QUILT&ZO coming in march.
(i'm so excited!)

:)

The other big news for our family, is that despite all the daily bleakness of these uncertain times, we are building. 
And what a difference 6 weeks makes. So I have been 'measuring twice' and applying all my quilting skills in a much larger scale than usual. And I have been loving it. And I hope so will you, as we share some tea, and a stitch or two, in the years to come :)

The boys have already been enjoying exploring the woods, and I have been dreaming about the garden. But all in due time, and I have been practicing being patient.


So, happy Valentine's, 
May you know how much you are loved today and always,
:)

your Valentina
:)

I received some very special flowers from a friend, and I wanted to pass the joy of these lovelies on to you. Enjoy! I bet you cannot just play it once... :)

17 comments:

  1. Happy Valentine's Day to you too, dear Valentina! Wonderful project you have been working on! What a lovely spot for you and your family. Hugs xx

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  2. How exciting to be building!! I look forward to seeing your latest quilt too. Happy Valentines day!

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  3. Lot's of exciting news! You deserve it all, thankyou for sharing it with your blog friends xx

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  4. Happy Valentine's Day to you as well! What terrific projects you have right now! Looks like a gorgeous piece of land, how wonderful for you!

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  5. The house is looking wonderful. Keep being patient you will be able to spend summer there I'm sure. Can just imagine the boys tearing around the countryside.
    Happy Valentine's Day. Your name day? I should think so Happy !!!

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  6. Happy Valentine's Day Val. What a fabulous video clip of the flowers, such joy and beauty makes my heart sing. Can't wait to see Camelot in all it's glory, well done to you on finishing. Your quilting retreat/new home is coming along nicely and is going to be amazing. I can't wait to see how it inspires you in your stitching and know that you and your family will enjoy it immensely.

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  7. Wishing all the patience and magic in the world with you new home, how exciting! It looks like a fabulous spot.

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  8. Oh this looks like such a wonderful setting for your new home. And congrats on the magazine, you'll have to blow your own horn when it is published and share the good news with your blogger buddies. Happy V day, nice to hear from you.

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  9. O, can't believe how your house has grown over only three weeks! And I see the pots with my babies... are they behaving well? Will be there next week Val, moving to the new place, but hope we can sit together and share the latest.
    you will be blown away by Q&Z - but It is still in press, so you have to be patient.
    How is your photography going?

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  10. I look forward to seeing your Camelot photos. Congrats on that finish!! Your new house in progress looks great - what a lovely, natural setting.

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  11. I also looking forward to see the foto's of your Camelot in the Quilt and Zo. And what a beautifull house with also beautifull view you are getting overthere. Lots of luck with the building of your new lovnig home.

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  12. Happy Valentines day and happy name day ,do you celebrate it as a name day? I am so excited for you on building your home and how wonderful for the boys to play in the outdours and for you and what a beautiful garden you will have,I can't wait to see the quilt you are working on.

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  13. Great to see a post form you, Valentina. You have been missed.
    Congratulations on the building project! Very exciting!!! The view looks amazing!
    Loooved the flowers in the clip at the end! They made me smile! :) Thank you!

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  14. How cute and symbolic is that first tulip !
    And... WOW ! the cottage is really grrrrowing beautifully. I'm so happy for you, Vali ;>)
    THANKS also for the awesome video : a real treat for the eyes and soul... Oc, come, come spring!
    XOXOXOXOXOXO
    NADINE

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  15. Well hello there Valentina! Congratulations on your Camelot!! Please please show us a photo of the magazine as I don't think I'll be able to source it here in Oz. Also congratulations on your new home, how exciting it will be to make it your own and fill it with lots of Valentina goodness! I think that finally this is the weekend I start my Camelot…although truth be told I have probably said that every weekend so far this year :) Looking forward to seeing pics of all your winter sewing, take care mx

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  16. My dear friend :) xox
    I'm so happy that you are enjoying family time and the seasons as you build.
    I think of you so often.
    I too have been doing many things again this year.
    So great to hear from you.

    Can't wait to see Camelot!!!!
    Rob xoxoxox

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  17. Hello Valentina! I am so happy to have found your blog again after losing a lot of my blog list, when I changed blog addresses. Your new home looks absolutely lovely in such a beautiful setting. Congratulations on your quilt being a Covergirl! Wow, that is such an achievement, you must be thrilled and I loved the pictures of your boys looking at their Mama in a magazine. I wish you all the very best, hope to hear from you, Ann xx

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Thanks for your comment! Please, feel free to write in Español, Nederlands or Papiamento if that is easier for you . And I will try to answer any questions as soon as possible, as long as I have access to your e-mail.

My Patchwork Family Through Adoption

A Bit of Africa and China
Came knocking on our door
And in a home where there was longing
Now empty rooms no more

Like a Quilt of Many Colours
Our Family stitched together into One
God's Love and Grace for us Abundant
In the Miracle of our Sons

Written by Valentina
2006