I've done it again.  I don't mean making zippered pockets for presents either.  I wrapped the present and then remembered to take the photo.  You can see the wrapping paper behind as evidence.  To make matters worse, it's not even the second time I've done this.  It's the third.

E chose the fabric for her friend's present.  Upon seeing it 'finished'  told me that we needed to write Heidi's name on it too.  One day I will get it right, both the present and the photo.

I adore vintage educational aides.  There is even a word for it.

Realia - Tools used to connect learners with the focal point of a lesson.

Sometimes the very patina and tone teaches just as much about a time as it's subject.   I would guess that the europe at a glance is sometime before WW2 as many of the former eastern communist block countries are still listed as kingdoms and because I googled the population of Sweden.  I like the very tactile way you can spin between countries.

Then there are the sights and sound cards below.  These cards are box 1 & 2, made by Phillip and Tacey.  The look like just the sort of thing I would have learnt to read with.  I'm wondering if the men are supposed to be rakishly good looking or perhaps some feminist is playing a joke by putting then in the same pack with that fine example of a pig.

There are little signs of an impending spring.  Some of the signs are quite literal.  I asked E to make a label for the dark box holding our bulb glass.  I think she did pretty well - as you can see the box holds a bolb, glas and wota.  There is nothing like children's spelling to to remind you of how your accent really sounds.

Other signs of spring are little sprigs of daphne spotted around the house.  My bedside table is also holding my two new thrifted books - Rupert Brooks and Strange Meetings.  It's funny that I should find them both within a week of each other.  One, poems sprinkled with wonderful woodcut illustrations and the other, telling the stories of the war poets themselves.  The poets have me wondering if it is time to make some more of poet-tea cups.

 I have also been looking up the illustrator - Buckland-Wright.   It turns out he fought in the WW1 as well and is equally legendary as an illustrator in his own right.