Saturday, November 1, 2014

A Finish......of sorts

Remember way back when......last year (has it really been a year?)  when my li'l streetscape filled with cute as cute Victorian terraces oozing with architectural delights, a melodic carousel, beautiful park gardens, intricate wrought iron fences, groovy gals walking their doggity dawgs, vintage cars etc etc, made an appearance on the world scene?? You don't....well let me refresh your memory. If your memory needs a li'l jolting, here's the story of my li'l streetscape.

I happened upon some spiffy house fabric, which way back when inspired me to free hand machine sketch my li'l streetscape and add it to a quilt. But.....the town planner, his civic cohorts, and his band of merry construction men, decided to put down their tools for a while; to find some new inspiration before continuing on.

A year down the yellow brick road of creativity, I have decided I am not enthused with the idea of incorporating this panel into a quilt. So my li'l streetscape has sat on my 'to do' pile, while the cogs in my brainpan have ever so slowly turned, round and round and round! Yes indeedy, the cogs in my grey matter can get stuck in gear these days.


Oooooh.....have a bo peep at the glorious suffolk puff (yo yos) quilt. Alas, 'tis not mine....more's the pity. One of my stitching girl's mum has asked me to back this pretty which her grandmother has so lovingly stitched. Perhaps she will forget that she has left this pretty with me! But, I digress. That story is for another time.

I have unearthed my happy li'l scene from the pile and decided to put it on display in my kitchen as a valance for the kitchen window; for all to see.

The panel is shorter in width than my window. I did consider joining more fabric and free hand machine sketch some more whimsical details; but to be honest I just wanted it up and for once in my life to "keep it simple stupid". So with this thought uppermost in my brainpan, and with a feeling that it was a bit too black and white, I felt that a li'l colour was needed to showcase my panel.

I pulled out fabrics in blues, pinks, greens and a li'l black. As the panel will hang in the kitchen, some of the fabrics have flowers, strawberries and cherries.



I stitched random strips of fabric to both ends and bordered the top and bottom, also with random strips of fabric. I then stitched a lovely length of crochet trim (that was attached to a very old curtain piece) along the bottom. You will never believe it, but the crochet trim is the exact length of the window! How providential.....it seems it was just meant to be.












Now, I love my kitchen curtain that I stitched ages ago, but in Summer when the windows don't have to wear snug curtains to keep the warm air inside, I usually take this pretty down and hang some other embroidered lovely as a valance, to let the sunshine in. And ......of course, nothing ever stays the same in our li'l ole humble abode. My husband constantly comes home and after stepping through the bright pink front door wonders indeed, if this is his home. Thank goodness for the bright pink front door....sometimes it is the only 'signpost'!


The town planner, only too conscious of his time restraints, is ecstatic that he can sign off on his beautiful streetscape and as for those builders......well, they are singing the happiest of tunes. They might even gleefully gallop atop the carousel horses, spinning around and around  on the revolving merry-go-round and throw their hard hats high into the air with jubilation. They are all relieved that they can leave the occupants to live their everyday lives behind their pretty Victorian facades and get on with their lives. To be quite frank, the builders were a li'l weary of all the intricate details that make up this happy town. Yes indeedy, it's onward and upward (and out of there) for them; with their tool kits attached to their hips!



The 'rustic' tin shed will soon be hidden by the most gorgeous purple Buddleia tree. My good husband decided to give it a prune within an inch of it's life. He reassures me that it will be blooming bigger and better than last year.....and there is no need to file divorce papers over this li'l 'hair cut'!! Mmmm.....but what do I know, he is the gardener, after all! So all will be well within a month or two (my good husband says so) when the vignette from my pretty, valanced kitchen window will be a winding country road, distant blue mountains, a HUGE Buddleia tree amassed with pretty purple flowers and pretty butterflies enjoying all the pretty flowers.


Ooooh.....love, love, LURVE!!





So 'tis toodles from me. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!





Linking up to the lovely Stephanie's, "The Enchanting Rose".

21 comments:

  1. You are a very talented stitcher! Re your crochet trim, isn't it lovely when things were obviously meant to be?:-)

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  2. It is so beautiful. Love the crochet trim on it.

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  3. Wow, wow, wow! It is awesome! And now you have a beautiful, unique piece of stitchery art to enjoy day by day. Very cool!

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  4. It seems to me, that when you first posted this is when I started following your blog. Your free stitching is simply amazing! The little scenes are just so delightful. Oe could stare for hours. That is if one is ever the lucky duck that gets invited in........
    Another beautiful finish Kim, and yes, write that book : )

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  5. Lovely window valance,great idea!!
    Have a nice sunday,greetings.:*

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  6. Your valances are great! Love the little stories they depict. You never sit idol...always have your head spinning with new great ideas.

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  7. I love the whimsical random strips of fabric around the playful stitchery. Love how the light is outlining the crochet trim. The valance looks beautiful, Kim!

    -Soma

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  8. I love the detailed scene the coloured fabrics and crochet trim gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you kindly, Teresa. I am relieved that my li'l scene has come out of hiding and is up for me to enjoy.

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  9. Kim, you keep amazing me with your wonders. This street scene is fantastic. I hadn't "met" you yet when it was started so have to go back and read all about it. But meanwhile I just am enjoying that window scene!!!

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    1. Ta muchly, Beth. I must admit that my li'l scene does put a smile on my dial each time I glance at it.

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  10. Hello Kim,

    Glad the town planners etc came to the party and helped with the valance. I can just hear the carousel music as I type. You will have to tell your husband it is OK that he cut down the plant because it showcases the valance more! Love the Dutch Iris in the vases, ours are dying down now.

    Happy days.
    Bev.

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  11. It looks great. This is the type of thing I want to do for our home. How cool to get to see your own handy work (not to mention art work) everyday.

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  12. I am always in awe of how you take so many different components....that seem random and so not ready for anything...and fashion and create such beautiful, fun and amazing things, Again...needing your "fairy dust" of genius here!

    The valance is perfect!

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  13. Those colourful fabrics, the crochet trim and your wonderful street scene were clearly just meant to be together. I expect the builders had really downed tools because they were waiting for you to think this up :) Now your window looks glorious :)

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  14. I could spend hours just looking at your wonderful creation of the curtain valance. You could easily miss what is happening outside; just looking and appreciating all the fancy stitching. How fun.

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  15. I love your amazing creation in the valance. That is so pretty!!

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  16. Beautiful job of making into a curtain, love the crocheted trim on it too!

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  17. *sigh* You are such a lovely inspiration, sweet Kim. When I see your pretty pictures and delightful creations I just swoon! :) My, you are one talented lady! I truly appreciate you sharing your charm with Roses of Inspiration. Happy weekend to you. Hugs!

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  18. Loving your 'new' valance - what life you've breathed into something simple. KISS doesn't really seem to fit you, Kim. Simple is not a word that's synonymous with you at all. Do you still have or use this valance?

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