Thursday, November 2, 2017

"Every Spring is the only Spring....a perpetual astonishment." Ellis Peters

Every Spring does feel like the only Spring. I always gasp with astonishment as Spring kisses the garden with it's sweet-smelling fragrance, breathing new life into each blossom. Each year, as the Winter's frigid bite dissipates and evaporates into the warm Spring air, I forget how beautiful, how intense the magic, the perfume and the vibrancy of colour that Spring freely gifts to me. Each Spring unearths new surprises that I didn't see the previous Spring.

The garden has gone wild with new growth. The garden has gone wild with intoxicating fragrances. The Wisteria, the Sweet Peas, the Lilacs......all bursting their confines, releasing their beautiful scents swirling and swirling around in a potpourri of the most delicious of aromas. I am quite certain no perfumer, a perfume composer if you like, could dream up the intoxicating perfume that abounds in the garden at this time of the year. The Irises, Bluebells, Pansies, Granny Bonnets, the apple trees' blossoms, all are dancing a most beautiful dance. Indeed, the garden is abloom with a carnival of colour and heady fragrances.


Springtime is as Colin, in Frances Hodgson Burnett's, The Secret Garden said, "Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"......"It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine." Have you ever read The Secret Garden?? I have, many, many times......and yes, I have several copies. It is a favourite of mine from my childhood. A well loved book that I have revisited many times as an adult. A well-loved book that I have skipped through many a time reconnecting with Mary, Dickon, Colin, Mr Craven, the little red breasted robin...........and the beautiful Secret Garden  at Misselthwaite Manor.

A most beautiful book where the enchantment within the garden begins it's magic in each of the characters' hearts. Oh, to have one of those ancient gardens surrounded by century old stone walls, where seemingly, magic happens.  Come to think of it the garden that hugs our humble abode is a garden which has a rather magical quality about it. This garden which embraces me, has the power to heal, to still my mind, to awaken my soul, to feel close to God with a heart overflowing with thankfulnes. It is as if with the unfurling of each Spring blossom it gives a sense of wonderfulness  to any whom gazes upon it.

Aah....the Clematis, always beautiful.


The Lilacs have begun to flower, filling the air with delightful fragrance. The Granny Bonnets have donned their high fashion hats in the most delightful of styles. Not to be 'outshone', the Sweet Peas have decided they too shall fill the air with sweet perfume. The Wisteria's heavy-laden vine with drooping clusters of  lilac flowers overpowers the air with the sweetest scent. Irises, Bluebells, Pansies.........so, so many gorgeous blooms swaying in the breeze, delighting all the senses.


The pond has awakened with the Irises and other early Spring plants beginning to perform in a most glorious show.




Freshly cut blossoms resting in the sink ready for the filling of vases. If only you could drink in the fragrances. They truly are divine!


Whilst out and about this week I happened upon these pretty needlepoints. Always on the lookout for such pretties, I quickly snapped them up and brought them home. At this juncture I am unsure as to whether I will leave the needlepoints in the frames or if I will reuse them in a cushion surrounded by ribbon flowers or perhaps a bag. In the meantime I will  display them on a shelf and enjoy them each day.



I also found this sweet needlepoint of two little bluebirds. Are they not sweet?? I think I will fashion a cushion from them, embellishing it with lace, ribbonwork etc etc.; or perhaps a bag. Whatever I decide upon I am sure these sweet birdies will sing a most lyrical song on whatever they flutter upon.



Looking at these sweet birdies brought to mind all the pretty laces which are suffocating in some of my drawers. =) Any excuse to  once again open those burgeoning drawers to again gaze upon all the pretty laces in so many colourful hues and patterns. Oh my there are a few, are there not?? A collection which has been added to through the years. A collection which time and time again has provided just the right touch to whatever pretty I have been working on.

These days these laces are as rare as the proverbial hen's teeth. As Tassie is a bit light on in the exquisite french lace department, it is always a delight when working on a pretty, that I need only walk into my sewing room....my haberdashery shop and find the perfect lace, vintage brooch, vintage button etc etc, to add the perfect finishing touch. Would you believe hours can be wasted enjoyed rummaging through my drawers, my suitcases.......to once again discover all the pretties that I have collected over the years. 'Tis true, it really, really is.


Mmm....endless possibilities.

I have been enjoying a little hand stitching this week. After the frenetic pace of my days written in the last post, I decided to work on my Japanese silk pretty. I started this quilt about 3 years ago, waxing lyrical about it here. These fabrics are gorgeous. Each fabric is filled with exquisite Japanese colour and design......colour and design as only the Japanese can do. These fabrics too, reflect the riot of colour that is beginning to burst outside.


Oh look, an origami hexagon flower.......who would've thought!


As I stitch my Japanese pretty, the view from one of the windows of my sewing room.........not bad, not bad at all. 'Tis rather gorgeous at this time of year.


Spring blossoms, needlepoints, Japanese fabrics, French laces, timeless books of secret gardens................all jostling to give one such as I, boundless inspiration. There is inspiration to awaken the soul everywhere. What thinketh thee?? =)

Until the next time......................


52 comments:

  1. Oh my, your garden looks fantastic, it is an abundance of flowers and colors. The needlepoint of the two little bluebirds are really a treasure, I know you will made something amazing, I'm curious about it.
    Your blog is full of beautiful Spring flowers and treasures.
    Wish you a blessed week, dear lady.

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    1. Thank you, lovely Loes. There is an abundance of flowers and colours at the moment. I love this time of the year. =) I am looking forwarding to stitching some pretty out of those two little bluebirds; they are so sweet. May you have a beautiful day. I imagine you are whipping up another delicious cake for a special someone. Love the cakes you imagine! Kim Xx

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  2. Hi, Such beautiful springtime blossoms on your post today. I do wish I could smell the heavenly fragrance from all these beautiful flowers. I hope you have a lovely day.

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  3. Your garden is truly stunning and so romantic Kim. The wisteria and lilac obviously adore it too to bloom in such abundance.
    I read the Secret Garden many many moons ago, I now feel after reading your wonderful post that I should go out and buy myself another copy to enjoy.
    I now see where much of your inspiration comes from, your beautiful garden plants. Loving your origami hexagon flower!!
    Enjoy your Spring and I will dream of mine in a few months time :)

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    1. You really must go out and find yourself a copy of The Secret Garden. It is such a delightful book. Yes, every day the garden gifts me with much inspiration. Don't dream of your Spring too much......that will mean it will leave me all the way down here. =) Thank you so much for your lovely comments. Kim Xx

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  4. Gorgeous post !!!!
    Thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures !!!
    You are a lucky woman to be able to see and appreciate those beauties !
    Spring is outside and inside your house !
    Have a shinny day !
    Hug
    Anna

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  5. Incredible colors! What a post, Kim! Your gardens are absolutely stunning and those needlepoint finds are treasures. I can't wait to see what they will become in your creative hands. Again, thank you for sharing your gorgeous world!! Zenda

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  6. Your garden, your flowers, your laces and your creativeness all capture the word "pretty". Beyond pretty...beautiful.

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  7. Ooohhh.... this post was my cup of blissfulness today! Thank you for letting my eyes and soul soak up your beautiful Edenic garden Kim! I wish I was near to come and prop up a chair and just let the beautiful fragrances lull me in!

    The laces are like a cherry on top! I admire your collection endlessly!

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  8. Your gardens never fail to amaze me Kim! The wisteria and lilacs are just gorgeous. I've always loved The Secret Garden as well, and my son named his small garden around his pond The Secret Garden. You don't see it even from the patio unless you stand up on a short wall. Love that. What lacy drawers you have ;) Enjoy the weekend and maybe a bit of handstitching beside your beautiful pond on the swing? Hugs to you,
    Wendy xox

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  9. Oh my goodness Kim, your outside area is just bursting with beauty and color! I found myself inhaling at all the pretty outdoor pictures, but sadly, I couldn't get a whiff! I have never read the Secret Garden, but did see the movie! Your Japanese quilt is so colorful and all your thrift store needlepoint pretties, I'll look forward to seeing what magic will be created from them. Thanks for the beauty!

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  10. WoW!!! a garden like no other!! how beautiful, isn't spring wonderful!! gorgeous garden, spectacular gardens...and those colors, wow, my favorites!! lilacs have been my favorite since childhood!!

    may your day be filled with wonderfulness as well!!!

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  11. You have a beautiful garden of flowers and fabric I see. I agree every Spring is different. You just don't know what it will bring.

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  12. Hi Kim! Wow! Spring in your land is breath taking! GORGEOUS!
    I LOVE The Secret Garden so much. Remember when Mary gets the skipping rope? So sweet.

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  13. A superabundance of beauty and all in my favourite hues! What a fabulous view from your window!
    Thanks for the reminder of 'The Secret Garden" and all those characters! Its been a while but I need to reread it myself!
    Have a wonderful spring day!

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  14. Oh my!! Your garden is a bit of heaven on earth! Wisteria is one of my favorites, but I've yet to find a place to plant one in this garden. I had a tree and a vine at my previous home. I'm thinking of adding an old piller out by Hilltop Cottage next spring and planting one. I could spend hours in your garden as well as looking at these photos. The needle points are wonderful and I love how you've displayed them. You truly are magical dear friend!
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. ......and I could spend hours in your lovely home and Hilltop Cottage and drink in all the beauty before me!! You must plant a Wisteria next Spring, Jann. It would be perfect by your Hilltop Cottage. There is nothing quite like a Wisteria in full bloom....'tis magical. Thank you for visiting my Spring garden, lovely Jann......you have made my day even more lovely. Kim Xx

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  15. Those first few photos made me want to sneeze from just looking at them! lol. But oh! the color of spring. I love the Secret Garden. I don't own many books, but that happens to be one of them. Wonderful stuff.

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  16. Your garden is truly gorgeous and so uplifting. I also love the fabric gardens you have so lovingly tucked away just waiting for the right moment to bloom in one of your beautiful creations.
    I, too, love the Secret Garden. I can't say how many times I've watched the movie over the years.
    Thank you for the glorious post, Kim!

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    1. The movie, The Secret Garden, is a most delightful movie, isn't it. Quite often, the movie does not do justice to the book, but not so in this case. Have you seen, A Little Princes?? Another most beautiful movie......and of course an oft-favourite book I have re-visited many, many a time. Thank you for visiting my Spring-filled garden, Dixie. Your visit has delighted me. If only you could sit in my garden swing with me, with your sketchbook and pencil/watercolours in hand and paint your beauty, as only you can do. That would be the best fun. Kim Xx

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  17. There is so much happening at your place, Kim! 😊. The garden photos are stunning...mmm all that purple/mauve deliciousness! Your staged photos are beautiful as always and I love your recent buys and the stitching you are working on...all so delightful.

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  18. Your garden is tremendous and joyful! Thank you for the delightful interlude.

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  19. OH I faint away at the beauty. Your garden is paradise. It is interesting to note the difference in blooming times and rates from down there to up here. Our spring is long long long - usually 3 months or so and things bloom at a much slower pace and we don't have all the lovelies at once, as you do. Granny's Bonnets and Sweat Peas come in the summer, and wisteria much later in the spring than the lilacs. I think it would be wonderful to have them all blooming at once.

    And now your laces - oh my, I've never seen such pretties - what fun for you to "shop" in your bundles of laces. No wonder you make such beautiful creations - and the colors - goodness they are fabulous.

    I adore the Secret Garden - I think my favorite is the one with illustrations by Tasha Tudor - I love all of her books and illustrations. When we lived in California - before moving to Washington - I made a secret garden - it was such fun. I miss it - but we have grandsons here - and I'd not miss them for anything in the world.

    Have a grand weekend my dear - enjoy the scents and think of us poor northerners - waiting for our first dab of snow - hopefully it won't last long. It is snowing in the mountain passes to Eastern Washington, but that is not unusual - but it is also snow about 15 miles north of us - and forecast to snow the next two nights - brrrr r r rrrrr r. I need a cup of hot tea. Do stop by when you are in the neighborhood.

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  20. Oh Kim I have so enjoyed your gorgeous spring post, those flowers look so great I could almost smell the fragrance from them, how lovely to have the pond surrounded by flowers too!
    Great find on those needlepoints, they look to be in excellent shape, can't wait to see what you end up doing with them!
    Beautiful flowers with on the iron frame, lovely arrangement!

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  21. Wow, you need to insure those hands of yours! They stitch the most beautiful pretties and they each have a green thumb! Your flowers are picture perfect and my whole body is green with envy (for the flowers and the warm weather!) I think I saw The Secret Garden movie but haven't read the book. I must get on that!

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  22. Kim, when I was young, my mother insisted that I read "The Secret Garden". I was hesitant at first because she was so persistent. Once I began, I fell in love with it. It is one of my favorite books now. LOVE love love your beautiful flowers especially the lilacs. And what a treasured find to discover those framed needlepoints. xo

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  23. Beautiful Kim!! Just stunning. My wisteria & my clematis have both finished flowering now but my iris's & grannys bonnets are still a picture. I do not have a lilac tree but I have promised myself one!! I shall just have to enjoy yours. Your lace looks exquisite.

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  24. Oh, so pretty ... inside and out! I love "The Secret Garden" too and there is a vintage copy on my shelf.

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  25. Your garden looks like heaven has exploded! I am overwhelmed by it's beauty. Wisteria and lilacs are favorites of mine. I love the story of the Secret Garden! Thank you for sharing yours, my friend! HUGS!

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  26. Dearest Kim,
    your Spring is so, so very beautiful, a real exultation for one's heart, and your boundless creativity make this feast even brighter for the soul, thank you for sharing your always so wonderful shots !

    Wishing you a month of November as Beautiful as you,
    my Lovely Lady

    XOXO Dany

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  27. It's so wonderful to see your beautiful garden, Kim, with all the pinks and purples against the rolling hills. It is like a fairy-tale landscape. The needlepoints are so lovely and your amazing collections of laces and ribbons and fabrics never cease to inspire. Vintage children's books are a secret pleasure of mine and this one is a favorite. I always come away from your posts with the happiest of smiles. Spring surely is a magical time in your magical garden. Hugs xo Karen

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    1. Sometimes, sitting in the swing seat by the pond is rather akin to a fairy tale, Karen. =) Pages and pages of beautiful illustrations of pretty flower after pretty flower. I always have loved childrens' picture books; I have shelves stacked high with them. I still collect them even though my youngest daughter is 28! There is just something about a beautifully illustrated children's book. Anyway........I digress yet again. =) Thank you, lovely Karen, for visiting my little Spring world. Your comments always put the happiest of smiles into my day. Kim Xx

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  28. What a gorgeous colour spectrum in display. Your garden looks enchanting and I am not surprised that you want to echo that in your sewing room. Enjoy my friend!

    -Soma

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  29. I'm totally in awe of your garden - and your creative skills! Everything you make is beautiful.

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  30. Oh wow your post is a riot of beautiful colour, what a fabulous garden you have and how beautiful. I love your needlepoint finds and all the lovely lacy fabrics in your sewing room. I loved reading the secret garden too as a child perhaps I should revisit it. Have a lovely weekend. :) xx

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  31. Amazing photos and colours . Some of the scenes you have captured look like paintings!
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Tina

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    1. You are very kind, Tina, thank you so much! How lovely of you to pop into my place. It is a delight to 'meet' you. Kim Xx

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  32. The Secret Garden was my favorite book as a girl. I must have read it a dozen times. And your own garden, secret or not, is wonderful.
    Amalia
    xo

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  33. You live in wonderland! I would never get a single thing done because I'd be sitting at the window just looking at all the beautiful flowers. Needlepoint seems to be an art form that isn't done much any more...who knows, perhaps it will be the next thing to enjoy a resurgence.

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  34. Tis lovely Kim where you live and what you create!

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  35. You take the prettiest pictures of your flowers! I love seeing spring when it is autumn where I live. Our leaves are starting to fall now, and it has been drizzly and gray all weekend.

    I read and reread The Secret Garden over and over when I was a little girl. It is a great book!

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  36. Beauty beyond beauty!! Gorgeous in every possible way!!
    You have left me awe struck...

    Thank you for sharing with us your beauty ♡

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  37. Such wonderful pictures - and I'm really loving your 3D flowers and quilt. I started a 3D flower project and gave it up. Seeing yours makes me want to revive it. You are very blessed with your beautiful flowers.

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  38. Woah! I'm really loving the template/theme of this site.
    It's simple, yet effective. A lot of times it's very hard to get that "perfect balance" between usability and visual appearance.
    I must say you've done a fantastic job with this.
    Also, the blog loads super quick for me on Internet explorer.
    Excellent Blog!

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  39. There is something special about little bird embroideries! Lucky find. And the garden... I would be nowhere else!x

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  40. Lindas imagens e super coloridas. Fantástico. Feliz fim de semana. Abraço.

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    1. How lovely to have you visit my little place, Sandra, thank you. May you have a beautiful weekend, too. Kim Xx

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  41. I just happened to click on your name from another blog...and oh my goodness! What a pleasant surprise! What a beautiful springtime! Your pictures are breathtaking. It is hard to leave...maybe I will stay and visit a while longer.

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  42. I never thought about fabric origami! Thank you for sharing this beautiful post...we are having rain and fog...which I love too...just not as pretty> :)

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  43. Beautiful photos and a wonderful garden you have full of colour and scent. Love your fabric stash too.

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  44. Oh My, beautiful, stunning, so many words went through my mind when I read through this post.... Sure do wish we didn't live so far apart!

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  45. I'm very behind - I nearly missed your Spring! Your garden is beautiful :)

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