Sunday, July 19, 2026

Fanciful Forest Friends♡

 


Once upon a time there was a forest. It was a fanciful forest. It was an enchanted forest where bright, happy colours of turquoise, azure, aquamarine, yellows......purples,  shimmered in the dancing shadows.  It was a mystical and magical place, where whispers and murmurings...rustlings and tinklings... melodically echoed everywhere. It was a place where pixie dust sprinkles danced in the  sun-dappled light.

Curiously; deep, deep in the forest stood a quaint, little cottage. A peculiar dwelling in the shape of a toadstool. There were tangles of cane weaving in and out, wrapping around; with a freshly painted pink roof. There were peek-a-boo windows and a front door. Who lived in this enchanting little cottage? 'Twas curious.


Why, little flower dollies called the cute little toadstool cottage, home-sweet-home. Sweet little flower dollies with flower petals haloing their sweet faces; and leaves for arms. Oh, and pretty dresses....all hand stitched by the dollies, as sewing was one of their favourite pastimes.


Marigold, Dahlia and Primrose, the sweet flower dollies all happily filling their days from dawn to dusk with fun, fun, fun......and tea parties. 


Marigold, Dahlia and Primrose had lots of forest critters for friends. They loved to invite each friend to their cottage to hang out; and from time to time enjoyed slumber parties.

Honey Bee🐝 


Violet Flutterfly 🦋


Lydia Lady Bug🐞


Sammy Snail🐌




Of course, if slumber parties were to be enjoyed each critter would bring along their comfy beds in which to snuggle down and rest their heads. A  tulip for Violet, a  campanula for Honey Bee and a rose for Lydia Lady Bug. Marigold, Dahlia and Primrose had the snuggest beds of leaves. Of course, Sammy Snail need not take his bed along to slumber parties as he carried a plush bed on his back all day, every day.




Fun times were to be had at the slumber parties. Snuggled up in their cosy beds sleeping under the ancient trees with the sounds of the forest lulling them to sleep; and on those warm nights just laying on the soft, moss-carpeted, forest floor gazing drowsily up at the starry, starry sky.





But there were times  when it was just the three flower dollies 
sleeping under the canopy of stars.


When all the friends were together they played oodles of games in the quaint little cottage...hide and go seek...catch me if you can.....






......and, of course, enjoyed sipping tea as they giggled and partied in merriment.


They were all the very best of chums♡


˚ʚ♡ɞ˚


My Fanciful Forest Friends imaginations began to ricochet around my brain when I purchased the little cottage. My imagination began to run wild. How perfect for the little toadstool cottage to house sweet fanciful forest friends. The flower dollies and critters were inspired from pretties on Pinterest. I sketched each chum and played until each one was just right.  As each forest friend was 5 inches tall from the top of their heads/antennae to their tippy toes, they were fiddly to do, some taking what seemed forever. There were so many itty bitty elements to work with. Some didn't turn out how I envisaged so it was back to the drawing board till each piece was tickety boo. I am a patient and determined gal. =) The cottage is 12 inches high. I had a lot of time until Riley's birthday so I didn't stress; I just kept on keeping on. At the time I thought what a fabulous gift for Riley's 3rd birthday. And so, here it is. A hand stitched gift which hopefully will give Riley many enjoyable moments as she disappears into the imaginary world of fanciful forests and critters. 

Anyway, my Fanciful Forest Friends and I are off to celebrate Riley's 3rd birthday party. There's many a story to be imagined of  escapades of the flower dollies and their forest friends. Have a wonderful Sunday, lovely lovelies, lovely friends May your day be filled with your own fanciful delights



Until the next time......


Sunday, July 5, 2026

With Needle and Thread....and Liberty Hexies....

 


With needle and thread, down here in my wintry world the stitching together of hexies dancing in Liberty fabrics, continues. Slowly, slowly though, as my sore wrist wants to not co-operate. Hence, I stitch gingerly. Such a pain in the royal proverbial as there is a deadline to meet. But, I will persevere.  Of course, my inflamed wrist hasn't impeded the taking of happy snaps... unfortunately, for you. =)

With an inkling my daughter's quilt might need a few more Liberty fabrics, I acquired a few more. Fortunately, for me, my favourite quilting shop in this neck of the woods has begun to stock Liberty fabrics. Mostly cottons, but the proprietor thought she would stock a few Tana Lawns to see how her customers receive them. How serendipitous for me the Tana Lawns she ordered dance perfectly with those on my hexies pretty. I hope the Tana Lawns go gang busters because that will mean there will be more variety from which to choose. The snag with Liberty Tana Lawn here in Australia is that 1 metre of this luscious fabric costs 72 smackeroos! You read that correctly. $72 for 1 metre!! I sometimes read American quilters commiserating at the 'exorbitant' price they pay for fabric. I must admit I smile wryly at these grievances as we Aussies pay between $30-$40....and sometimes more......for a metre for most quilting fabric. To fashion quilts here could cause one to mortgage one's home. =) But......not having to mortgage the house this week (with only having to starve, really) I purchased some more Liberty pretties. Some more sweet florals in pretty colours AND a gorgeous design with itty bitty hexies in Liberty florals flourishing all over.

Isn't it pretty??!!







Of course, I could purchase even more Liberty fabrics to dance on the quilt, but as Pete says "it would be nice to eat this week". =) Begrudgingly, I concur. 


Curiously; deep, deep in the forest stood a funny little toadstool cottage crafted from tangles of cane. I wonder, if one was to peek through the little windows, where soft candlelight flickered........what would one glimpse.....??

........A new story whispering in the wind....a new stitching pretty......to be imagined for my sweet Riley's birthday♡

I'm off to eat cake and drink tea; oh, and of course partake in a little hand stitching, of my Liberty hexies and a little sweet Riley's birthday present, stitching. Enjoy your Sunday, lovely lovelies, lovely friends♡ Please; luxuriate in filling your Sunday with pockets of blissful joys♡♡

Until the next time......



Sunday, June 7, 2026

Liberty Love♡

 


Hello, lovely lovelies, lovely friends♡ A new Sunday...a new month...has drifted in, here at my little home. June! Just wow! I suppose that with the speed this year is hurtling along, it will be the season of 'goodwill to all men (and women)' before we know it. =) Ahh.....goodwill to all men; now there's a thought!

June. Winter. Ho-hum. The garden is rather glum looking. The trees are grasping onto the last of the autumn leaves but soon the trees will be bare, sculptural silhouettes against the sky. As there's not a flower in sight in my garden I once again pilfered some proteas from my lovely friend, Trish's, garden. I don't think these bushes have been 'pruned' since this time last year. =)


Down here in my wintry world, another week or two.....or is it three, of slow, repetitious hand stitching. I've been continuing Trippin' around the world in fabric squares; but what I'm chatting about today is I've begun hand stitching a new EPP hexie quilt. A new quilt dancing in a jumble of hexies in myriad Liberty Tana Lawn patterns and colours.

Calming, slow stitching, but surprisingly not monotonous, through the days and some evenings while Old Man Winter begins his thing. As I stitched I've followed the low winter sun around on those days when the sun appears, settling deep down into any number of comfy chairs, in any number of rooms, basking in the warmth of the sunbeams. Though winter is certainly not my favourite season I must admit the sunshine beaming through the large picture windows of my home is one of life's joyous things.  And, of course, on those rather chilly winter  days, sitting in front of the fire is my place of choice.

I first chatted about this quilt earlier in the year when the rhododendrons and roses were sashaying in the garden.


This quilt is a surprise for my daughter's birthday, which is at the end of August; so I'd better pull my finger out and get a hurry on. My daughter has a love of Liberty patterns which equals my own. Would you believe she has a love affair with florals as well?? Mmm...who would've thunk it, that a daughter of mine might have a penchant for florals. I wonder who she takes after?? I'm sure I have no clue. =)




This quilt will be lap size with scrappy Liberty hexies dancing all over. Mind you, the hexies won't be stitched where they fall as some consideration is needed to ensure that each hexie plays nicely with the others. Sadly, I don't have a gazillion Liberty fabrics from which to choose so much omphaloskepsis will be needed.







I will continue stitching my Liberty pretties this evening, joying in the feel of the tana lawn that is Liberty, and each gorgeous print. Have a lovely Sunday lovely lovelies, lovely friends, and please, delight in many a joy which will cause you to smile♡

Until the next time......