Yellow and Blue

 

I think we all now know what the colours yellow and blue represent.
They make us think of sunshine and blue skies
but right now, they remind us of the Ukrainian flag
and what the Ukrainian people are going through. 

Whatever we are doing in our own daily lives,
our thoughts turn, irrevocably and with empathy, to all the suffering experienced
by innocent people as they are forced to flee their beloved country.

This is the yellow and blue mandala I made.

I have not posted for a while as I have been very busy doing important crochet projects
for gifts, and they have been taking up a great deal of my time.
When they are completely finished, I will post them on my blog.

 I love going down to the big market on Saturdays 
to buy fresh fruit and vegetables and farm eggs.

There are often musicians playing and this young musician was playing his
cello very beautifully to earn some money for his musical studies.
I gave him something, of course!

As I passed one street, I looked up to see the elegant tower of Lausanne Cathedral
which looked so lovely against the blue sky.

I've received an early birthday gift of a book on photography
on the work and life of Vivian Maier.
She has become famous for her clever street photography and self-portraits.
Since I am still doing my self-portrait class. I was inspired to try out a similar style.

This shot was taken in a richly decorated shop window where there were also mirrors.
The reflections have given a double self-portrait!

One of the exercises given was to take a picture of our hands,
so I held up a glass ball to try and capture my garland of hearts!
I finally got the ball centred after several tries!

I did receive some beautiful red roses and decided to make a collage of different details
of the lovely petals.

My pink Amaryllis grew a second stem with stunning and photogenic blooms

The back views are beautiful too.

A few petal details in this collage.

There have been visits down to the lake in Ouchy
and our weather has been so beautifully sunny - even if the March winds
have made it feel colder.

Both these photos are taken from Ouchy looking over to the French side and mountains
and the town of Evian.

One day, I took the train to the lakeside town of Vevey. It's not far at all from where I live.
I did love the sparkles on the water.
It was a little tricky to take the photo as I was almost facing the sun.

This is from the same town, but with a closer view on the majestic Dents du Midi.
They are a three-kilometre long mountain range in the Chablais Alps
in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.

Closer to home, and in my neighbourhood, I saw these charming snowdrops.

On one of my daily walks, I noticed this tiny Harlequin Ladybird nestled
in the leaves of a flowering Viburnum bush.

Some of the south-facing Magnolia trees have started to bloom.
This particular one had such beautiful petals.

A yellow and blue collage for Ukraine.
The pansies are on my balcony
and I crocheted the yellow hearts set in a blue granny square.

It was also time to put a spring wreath on my front door. 
I chose pastel colours and a flower pattern
where you will see many beautiful flowery patterns.

************

I hope that spring is waking up where you live and that the sunshine
and blue skies are uplifting your thoughts during these troubled times. 

We can help those in need by donating to the charities that are suggested in the media.
I like to use La Chaîne du Bonheur
which is a well-known and trusted Swiss organization
and also Doctors Without Borders.


12 comments

  1. I like to be positive but it’s very hard going at the moment! Thank you for your lovely pictures xxx

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  2. Thank you for this new post, thank you for your nice smile, thank for your beautiful pictures, all the colours of the flowers and....I also like your mandala too much. You choose nice color tone, for both blue and yellow. Yes, I like it :-))
    Miriam

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    1. Thank you for such kind comments, Miriam. I'm happy that you liked the flowers and my crochet projects! Making crochet mandalas is one of my favourite things. They are also useful!

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  3. Thank you for showing us the beauty of your world, Sandra. I am still in utter despair when I watch the scenes coming from Ukraine on the evening news. It seems like the 1940s rather than 2022. Your blue and yellow crocheting is lovely as is your new spring wreath. I'm finding myself bringing out my spring decor earlier this year in an attempt to bring some cheer to my home. It's hard, though, with everything going on in eastern Europe. I worry about all of my European friends...

    You take care now and I hope a peaceful solution will come soon--for the sake of the entire world. ♥

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    1. Thank you, Carol. Yes, I have been decorating my home with colour and soft pastels. The news in Ukraine is heartbreaking and unbelievable. I think the whole world is in danger, not just Europe, from the deranged leader who has declared war on innocent people. We feel so helpless and watching such ongoing suffering is unbearable. All we can do is send our donations to help them.

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  4. Everything is beautiful Sandra! What a lovely tribute to the ukraine. I love your heart bunting. What a great spring project you made with the roses! The colors are so soft and pretty!

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    1. Thank you, Astri. I made the garland of hearts a couple of years' ago, I like to change the crocheted decoration behind my couch several times during the year. I'm glad you like the new spring wreath with decorated with your pattern of the roses. It does look so fresh and springlike on my front door!
      None of us can forget what is happening in Ukraine. It's just heartbreaking.

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  5. Hello, it is not to believe what is going on at the moment. I don't watch the news. Make me very sad. A nice tribute to the Ukraine.
    Your pictures are beautiful. Looking at the pics with the lake makes me calm.
    Hope a solution will come soon.
    Take care and greetings

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    1. Hello Gabi. I'm glad that the lake pictures bring some calmness. We all need that right now with what is happening in Ukraine. If only we could help them more than just make donations.

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  6. Great post... ohh God please help Ukraine.

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