May Day Posies

I am writing this whilst shivering at my desk. The wooly layers are on and the wind is quite literally howling at me through the cracks in the window frame and somehow managing to pierce through my layers. Brrr. Just last week we had 30 degree sunshine. Our little island is truly an eccentric one, isn't it? I actually quite like it's weird weather habits (infuriatingly true to the #embracingtheseasons brand, I realise!). Anyway: it's hard to believe, but May Day is tomorrow! This will be the 7th year I make May posies for friends to celebrate Spring; an idea I originally learned about on Lou's blog, many moons ago. The first day of May was once a cause for a big celebration. It's the official first day of summer according to the gaelic festival, Beltane, and featured May pole dancing, a May Queen, village fetes and May posies amongst other things. The 1st May is also Labour day; a day to mark labour rights,  and to me these things work well together in a weird way. I like marking both.

This year I collaborated with Jess from One Flew Over flowers and also Ros from The Natural Dye Works

We created hand tied posies wrapped in Ros's beautiful botanically dyed ribbon. What a dream this shoot day was! Ready for some photo's?!

Ros brought along a basket of the most wonderfully coloured fabrics, the sort of basket that made me squeal involuntarily. Look how beautiful these colours are- all from natural materials. I mean?! Proper magic, that is.

Jess sourced some gorgeous locally grown blooms from (Anna's Country Flowers). Ros, Jess and I foraged a few extra bits too (hello Apple blossom and divine tulips!) 

We made three each for friends, then Frankie-Rose and I made some more the following day.

I have realised how much I love collaborating with people. I am a collaborator. My creativity seems to multiply when I'm working with other people; does anyone else find that? And I already know how amazing these days of creating are for my mental health- hell- my entire life.

Spending a morning making, talking and drinking coffee with other creative women is just brilliant, ya' know? 

So: Happy May Day to you, and yours! It isn't too late to pick up or forage for some flowers today and drop a posy or two off to a friend tomorrow! I'm guessing we all have friends/family members who could do with a little pick me up. It's a sweet thing to do with kids too.

In Embracing The Seasons, Make