Saturday, June 27, 2015

Thank you........again I say thank you !!

Thank you everyone for your lovely thoughts, prayers and those warm and embracing hugs you have sent to this li'l corner of the world. They have all been received with much thankfulness; they have meant so much to both my husband and I. You will never know just how much they have comforted us in those moments where one feels at a loss, those moments when one feels alone.....thank you! The blogging community is filled with the loveliest of ladies who genuinely care, you are all little smiles from God!

My husband's treatment has begun and we have settled into a daily routine of hospital visits, walks and resting up. At the moment he is not unwell, but I suppose this will change sometime down the bendy path we find ourselves upon. As we live in a 'far rural outpost', which involves a 3 hour return trip to the hospital for ten minutes of being zapped with radiation, during the week we are staying in a cute little hundred year old cottage across the road from the hospital. Driving to and from the hospital each day was too exhausting. As there is no treatment on the weekends we wing our way back to our humble li'l olde abode......back to the peace and 'normality'.

In the mornings we have been going for a daily walk and exploring some of the cafes, parks and the 'sights' which the city of Launceston has to offer. The doctors have ordered my husband to walk for forty five minutes each day. and to "fatten"' up.....so who are we to disobey!! The problem with this 'edict' is that I am afraid I might just "fatten" me up as well!! The task of fattening up my husband is an impossible task. He has never put on a single ounce, pound, gram or indeed kilo in all the thirty seven years we have been married........(yes.......I was a child bride).....so the task of expanding his girth and wherever else fat likes to deposit itself in his anatomy is futile......but try we will!

Oh, there have been a few op shops and vintage establishments to explore as well. Rest assured, I wouldn't dream of making my husband wander around these treasure troves. No, on these occasions he is comfortably ensconced in a cafe, seeing to the task of fattening himself up and taking it easy.


Mmmm....how serendipitous.......this quirky establishment, the Vintage Red Fox, decided to include a cafe right next door!! Just means one doesn't have to travel far from perusing all those vintage goodies to partaking in a cappuccino.....or two!

Of course I took my sewing machines with me to the 'big smoke', with a suspicion perhaps my sewing mojo would percolate to the surface once again.....and percolate it has. Whilst my husband has been resting in the afternoons I have been enjoying a little sewing, in a sunny spot at the back of the cottage. Sewing is my happy place, a place that somehow helps me to smile for a little while.

Whilst packing for our 'holiday' in the city, I found this piece of vintage Hungarian embroidery. I had an idea formulating in my brainpan that I just might fashion a bag with oodles of vintage pretties. I had stashed this gorgeous embroidery away ages ago because when I washed it, all the colours had collided into each other and caused it to become a li'l 'muddy'. The once bright flowers were now tonal with all the colours that had escaped. Upon unearthing this pretty embroidery, I decided I like the muddiness of the flowers. I like the tonal qualities of the flowers AND I love the 'it has been around for a very long time' look, the vintage feel this piece suffuses.

So.......hankering after a quick project AND being in need of a new, sling across your body, boho type of bag, I decided to play with all my pretties once again and stitch a bag to carry around town.



I must say I am loving the worn and antiquated look of this 'looks as if it has been around for a good while' Hungarian embroidery. 


After gathering oodles and oodles of pretties together, I started to play. Oh how I love to play with vintage pretties, stitching and placing them wherever they magically find themselves. It is so calming and soooooo easy on the brainpan. With the meandering of ruched velvet ribbon around the Hungarian embroidery, the adding of doilies, the sprinkling of pretty trims, crochet flowers and the twining of cord; the prettying of the front of the bag is singing a colourful melody.








The bag is fashioned with a charcoal grey, canvas-type fabric. I chose a gorgeous vintage fabric from my "dowry of cloth" for the lining. Love, love, lurve the oranges, greens and purples of this fabric.









With my vintage inspired, boho bag all stitched up, I might just enjoy a little more playing with my bits and bobs.

Remember me saying I have been darkening the threshold of a few op shops this week......well I found this Victoria Cooper (an Australian Designer) cute little jacket. Can you guess what I might be doing this week? However did you cotton on.........am I really that predictable? Yes indeedy, amongst the hospital visits, appointments with doctors, and the morning walks, I might just find myself sitting in a sunny corner in the cute li'l cottage some afternoons, tarting up this little pretty whilst my husband rests.



We are at home for the weekend which means I can dive deep down into my plethora of pretties in readiness for the tarting up of this jacket. Once again thank you all so very much for your kind thoughts and prayers! Both my husband and I have been overwhelmed with your kindness, prayers and generosity of spirit!!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

27 comments:

  1. So happy to hear you are adjusting to your new routines and getting in some therapeutic sewing...as that purse is wonderful and will be looking forward to seeing what you do with that jacket!

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  2. Thank you very much for this update. Prayers continue for you both. I'm thankful for the cottage across from hospital; that commute would have been too stressful. I'm thankful, too, that you have a sunny corner in the cottage to enjoy sewing. Stitching and gardening have always been a happy place for me, too! I do love your bag; such lovely colors. I look forward to seeing your finished jacket, also. Keeping you close in my heart. xo

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  3. Kim, thank you so very much for the update. I have been thinking of you both, but didn't want to pester.....
    Looks like you both are making the most of a bad situation. Imagine being ordered to gain weight! Well, enjoy those little shops as I'm sure you will. I will keep praying for your hubby, and you as well. Blessings on you both

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  4. What a beautiful life you have given your 'muddy' embroidery - I just love it!! it was meant to stay hidden away for all this time for it emergence as a beautiful butterfly!! Hope every thing keeps going well for your DH - not having any side effects does make the road a little easier to travel - and hopefully that is for the duration of treatment. Your time away from home has certainly brought back your sewing 'mojo' Kim - and it is a great way to relax and think in a quiet time out! Take care - love and hugs winging their way to you.

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  5. You constantly amaze me Sarah. I just love that bag that you made and the little pearl clutch reminds me of one my Mother had when I was little. She loved those little things. Just take one day at a time with Hubby and I will keep you in my prayers.

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  6. Your rework of the Hungarian embroidery is beautiful. How marvellous that is is now *on show* rather than being in the bottom of a drawer, especially when you think of how much time and effort went into its creation. I suspect the jacket will be unrecognisable when your done! I haven't visited Launceston for a few years but very much enjoyed strolling about it's streets and parks.

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    1. Thank you, Ann. Yes Launceston ain't half bad.....some lovely places to explore. As for the jacket.....it's amazing what a few trifles will do to give a garment a new lease of life. :)

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  7. So good to read your update Kim. You sound positive & taking it all in stride. I drooled all over my screen at your bag ... I have a crink in my neck from peering at that darned screen at all your gorgeousness. I am so glad you are finding therapy in your creations. Long may it continue. It surprised me that the Drs want your hubby to gain weight yet they tell him to take long walks everyday - 45 mins. All those yummy fattening goodies he consumes in those delightfull little cafes will soon be exercised off with a long walk I am sure :-) Sending more gentle hugs across the oceans & the miles to you - you are in my daily thoughts & prayers. x0x0x

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  8. Hi Kim, I'm So happy you and hubby are coping ok, I've been thinking of you. it sounds like you've settled into a daily routine now. I SOooo love the bag you've made, it's stunning! sending you BIG BIG hugs and positive thoughts.

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  9. What a lovely find! That embroidery is beautiful.Great to
    find that cafe along the way, very handy. Beaming you love
    and hugs.
    Hugs, Anita.

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  10. Dearest Kim,
    It's so good to hear from you. My prayers and thoughts have been with you and your hubby.
    Sounds like the Lord has been good. He has blessed you with much, hasn't He?
    You have graced that beautiful bag with your lovely hands and talent. My... such gorgeous colors!
    You certainly do some beautiful work.
    How wonderful that you have something to keep you and your mind busy.

    May the Lord continue to hold you both close to His bosom, and may you find rest and peace in Him and His tender love and care for you.

    So good to visit with you and do take care of your self too.

    Much love and hugs~ Debbie

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  11. OMG your creation is short of miraculous! Genius creator you are. Glad you are able to enjoy the cafe scene in between your daily dose! Catching a few rays could almost become fashionable the way you talk about it! Glad to hear you are travelling well , always in my thoughts XXXX

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  12. Love the bag , glad you are finding lovely things in the city

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    1. Thank you so much, Karen. There are lots of quirky places to discover in this little city of ours.

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  13. Hello Kim.

    There are some wonderful places to discover in Launceston, I do though remember those one ways streets in the main part, so walking would probably be better. Love the additions you created on the bag, you certainly have a knack of putting a heap of things together well.

    Happy days to you both Kim.
    Bev.

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  14. awwwww, settling into the unknown, your plan sounds wonderful. best wishes to your husband and to you as well, being the caregiver can be a little difficult!!

    the bag is gorgeous, love the "art work", colors, and size!!!

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  15. Yes, you have done it indeed! That bag is just darling, and the jacket will be just as delightful when complete. Great to hear that you and your darling are managing to manage your every day!

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  16. I am very happy to hear that you found some sewing time. The bag is beautiful. Remember to take care of yourself too!

    -Soma

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  17. I'm happy to hear that you do not have to travel each day of the week. I'm still holding you both in my thoughts and prayers.
    I love the bag! The colours are so vibrant.
    Can't wait to see the jacket in all it's glory!
    Hugs

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  18. I'm keeping you both in my prayers too. And oh how I love your beautiful bag. I have some vintage linens that I need to use this way. You are so creative! Hope the rest of the week goes well. Sweet hugs to you both, Diane

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  19. You and hubby have been in my prayers and I am so glad to hear you are both keeping as well as can be expected. My dad starts his next round of chemo next week and was also told by his doctor to 'fatten up'. The doctor said now is the time to eat all the things you think are bad for you! He had to put on 5kg in about 2 weeks.
    The embroidery is simply beautiful. It is a blessing that you have crafting to keep you occupied during this time. When my daughter had her baby, I spent two days sitting in various hospital waiting rooms. It is amazing how many people literally just sit there - I would go crazy! I had my knitting and reading with me at all times.
    All my prayers and best wishes to you both.

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    1. Incredible isn't it.....to think that when undergoing radiation and fighting cancer that people are ordered to eat McDonalds, oodles of cream, cheese etc etc to counteract the effects of the treatment and to cope with all the doctors throw at you. In my husband's case it is an impossible task. It is not in his DNA to 'fatten up'. I too have to be either stitching something or reading something whilst sitting in waiting rooms, though there are lot of people to chat to. It's amazing the number of people who are undergoing cancer treatment. It really is a prevalent disease these days. Thank you for your prayers and best wishes, Jayne; they do indeed warm our hearts. You, your daughter and dad are also in my thoughts and prayers. xx

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    2. Thank you, Kim - it is such a blessing to know that there are wonderful people praying for us. I am so grateful for the blog 'family' that I am coming to know.
      It certainly is prevalent. I don't think there would be a single person who hasn't had a family member or friend battling cancer.

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  20. Oh.My.Goodness! What a luscious bag you've made!!! I'm so glad you are finding sunny corners of life that bring a smile to your lips while you and your beloved are so wading through this murky pool. Hugs of love to both of you.

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  21. You are SO good at playing! I am thrilled to hear that you are able to spend your city time in what sounds like an adorable cottage. Oh, and my advice for fattening up? Jam donuts. Wait, and vanilla slices. I love your bag and look forward to seeing your transformed jacket! xxx

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  22. Though I left my comment here - I actually enjoyed many of your posts and say what a wonderful talent you have!

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    1. How lovely of you to visit my li'l corner of the world, Bernideen; it is a pleasure to 'meet' you. Thank you so very much for your sweet comments. Kim xx

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