Monday, March 13, 2017

The week that was........

......was a gentle week. It was a week spent enjoying many things.

Enjoyment in early morning walks with Miss Maisie, walking along dusty country roads, meeting interesting characters along the way.



Having a li'l pow wow; secret animal business, me thinks.




Some members of the family aren't really into long country walks. Some are a little terrified of the bovine you meet in this part of the world, both the four legged kind and sometimes, even the two legged kind. =) Yes, some much prefer to nap on bedding fit for a queen; obviously a fellow of exquisite taste.  Have I introduced you to our Boo??  He is a rather aloof fellow. If someone perchance, should drop by he is out of here quicker than quick, heading for dem dar hills. He always considers strangers with a certain amount of distrust, a little suspicion. I don't know why.......I have a theory about black felines. We have had two who have lived with us in our home, and both have been rather aloof and have followed the beat of a different drummer. Besides, when not dreaming of a life without Miss Maisie, he is off catching creatures of the pesky, rodent kind. Boo understands perfectly I hate meeces to pieces!!


This past week has found much enjoyment in knitting my cabled woolly, delighting in it's progress. Progress is still slow, but I am loving all the lovely aran texture. The back is finished.....hip hip hooray! Now for the sleeves. Maybe, just maybe come Winter, this pretty will be hanging from my frame as I gad about town.


Enjoyment also, in planning another tarted up jacket. I was gifted an inspiration-filled book written by Mandy Pattullo for Christmas. Mandy Pattullo is a textile designer and artist who creates beautiful collages from vintage fabric and quilts and a plethora of other pretties. I have loved her work from afar for a while now, so when I saw this book in a book shop I hinted rather longingly that it needed to make one of our many burgeoning bookcases, home. This jacket has been sitting on my dress form, in the corner of my sewing room for much too long....two years if my memory is correct.


I am going to use old tapestries that I found at a market many years ago, and other bits and bobs. As it has been an age since I tarted up some pretty, I am looking forward to playing again.



A delicious jumble of needlepoints, ribbons, laces and a little bit of this and a whole lot of that. Probably too much of a "whole lot of that" for these neck of the woods.......but who cares. Not me. Eyebrows aren't raised heavenwards any more when I am seen out and about in an eccentric, tarted up pretty....it's kinda expected.



Of course, I have been strolling through the garden cutting flowers for vases. The roses are in their last flush and  the Dahlias are still winning the prize for sheer lusciousness.

Are you ready for some floralicious delight?? Again, there is photo after photo overspilling with sumptuous, floral exquisiteness......old habits die hard. Besides, soon they will be no more and I will have to sit out a loooooong Winter without any blossomy prettiness. I am not looking forward to Old Man Winter returning to our happy li'l isle, armed with his arsenal of frigid tricks, one little bit.

The Dahlias. Those vivacious, vibrant, flashy Autumn showoffs of the floral world. 'Tis hard not to be filled with joyousness at the sight of these flowers. There is nothing demure about these beauties, they trumpet "look at me, look at me"!!



Of course, vivid, rainbow-filled, embellished to-an-inch-of-their-life, hexie quilts demand your attention as well. =D




As I say, one can't help but be feel a heightened sense of joyousness at the lusciousness of the Dahlias, or indeed "queenly" hexie quilts.


Then, there are the roses, in their last flush.


Soft, pastel-painted, with sunlight-kissed petals.....roses.






For those of you who are wondering if the heavens opened up this week and sent lightning bolts filled with creative notions on what to do with my au naturel lampshade......alas nothing. Not that I mind, as my imagination has been swirling and swirling around with other pretties. Thank you lovelies for your comments re this conundrum. It seems half of you prefer the cream shade to be left just as it is and the other half have decided it is sadly lacking in a li'l pizzazz and is in need of a little embellishment, a li'l oomph. This jury.........is still out on this "the-world-will-stop-spinning-on-it's-axis", problem!

Until the next time...........a l'il love sent from me to you, this lovely day.




40 comments:

  1. Such beautiful flowers - said longingly by moi as we face yet more of the dreaded white stuff (and lots of it, by all reports). Looking forward to seeing what you do with your jacket!!

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  2. Such a entertaining post - with something for everyone. It certainly brightened my day. Thank you!

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    1. Thank you, Ann. So happy to add a little brightness to your day. Kim Xx

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  3. Lovely post and I always enjoy reading what is going on in your beautiful world! You are surrounded by such an abundance of prettiness and I am thankful that you take the time to share it with us. Love the color of your woolly and I look forward to seeing how you embellish the jacket.

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  4. Busy with beauties....
    Have a lovely week !
    Anna

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  5. I have cable envy with that gorgeous sweater! What a pretty robin's egg blue :) Looking forward to seeing your progress with the embellishments on the jackets. You have still a stunning array of flowers to glean from! Beautiful! Maisie really looks content to have a chin wag with the bovines. Have a great week Kim,
    Wendy

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  6. Gorgeous roses. I can't wait to see what you do with that jacket.

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  7. Sounds like a most wonderful week filled with creatures and a luscious wooly! Oh, to stroll in your garden. What delight that must bring! The Dahlias and roses are truly stunning!! Can't wait to see what tartness your creative mind comes up with next. :)
    Hugs,
    Jann

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    1. It was a lovely week, Jann. I find there are not enough hours in my days to do what I want to do....do you have that problem?? =) Kim Xx

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  8. Your jumper is such a gorgeous color! The end of the flowering season is never easy, especially when you bring so many indoors! Have a fabulous week!

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  9. What an invigorating and eye-pleasing post Kim!Your picture are like a magic carpet that take me to your world and the journey is spectacular!

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  10. Always fun to see what you are working on and the countryside surrounding you. The roses are beautiful! Wish I could smell their fragrance. xoxo

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  11. Dear Kim, it has been a delight once again to join you in your creative journeys and inspirations! I'm really looking forward to see what you do with the jacket... so excited!!
    The colour of the aran woolly is just heavenly!! So beautifully done!
    Enjoy your roses, thanks for sharing their loveliness!

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  12. I just love the delicious color of your sweater, Kim, and I look forward to seeing how you tart up your jacket. Your dahlias and roses must perk you up with their beauty, especially on your Hexie quilt, which I always admire. I hope you have a creative week! ❤️
    P. S. What if you used lace, ribbons, and trims on your lampshade? I know something wonderful will happen with your magical hands!

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  13. Everything looks just beautiful in your gorgeous neck of the woods this week Kim. I love your Boo sleeping so soundly on that beautiful quilt !!! The dahlias & roses are just stunning still ... everything here has long since lost its bloom. Your knitting is gorgeous too ... wish I could knit cable like that. Have a wonderful week Kim x x x

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  14. You are incredibly artistic, a real flower fairy!

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  15. Kim, I just drool every time I visit here! Such pretties! Your knitting is lovely and I love the color. I've tried knitting but have a hard time with the tension. I sure would love to be able to though. Have a lovely day.

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  16. {{big, big smiles}}---your area of the world looks so pretty. Here, in western New York, we are experiencing a snowstorm of epic portions...I do believe there is like a foot of snow already...sigh...old man winter has not loosened his grip at all. smiles.

    Thank you for the many smiles, sweet friend.

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  17. You have such a great way with words, that make such an enjoyable read of your blog and your happenings in your part of the world. Your sweater is looking terrific, at this rate it should be ready by winter. I bet you will embellish that jacket up so lovely that everyone will just love your one of a kind creation!!
    So enjoyed your flower pictures, especially the lovely sunshine on the roses, so wonderful!! Hope you enjoy a lovely Autumn season ahead!!

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  18. A feast for the eyes as always Lovely Kim. I adore a good textile collage too. Such a pleasure to make something lovely of something already existing. Sort of earthy and heartwarming. Love, Mimi xxx

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  19. The pictures of your flowers always brightens my days! Beautiful walks with Miss Maisie. Cats are rather aloof creatures, aren’t they! I You will be talk of the town with that stylish jumper. I can’t wait to see it finished.

    -Soma

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  20. I so love your blog! How beautiful and full of color! I always think I need more color in my life. You inspire me. Hope you have a lovely week.

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    1. Your are very sweet, Linda...thank you so much! I agree with you, the thought that every day should be filled with beautiful colour. I am enjoying a lovely week, thank you. Hope your week is revealing itself in many splended ways, lovely lady. Thank you for visiting my colourful world. :) Kim Xx

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  21. the last word you could use to describe our week here is "gentle"!! our week at the jersey shore has been quite rambunctious. your sweater is GORGEOUS, i LOVE the color. i have heard that sleeves are the most difficult - i have still not knitted a sweater!!

    your blooms are beautiful, i stopped bring dahlias in the house, there were always so many hitchhikers. little bugs that looked like slugs?? the roses are a whole-nother story. yours are so beautiful!!!

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  22. So many gorgeous colours, beautiful flowers and I love your cable knitting, so many wonderful things to look at xx

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  23. Love the pretty colour of your Aran jumper and will delight in seeing what you do with the jacket.

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  24. Your Aran is just so gorgeous - every time I see it, I love it more! I am so happy dahlias are back in vogue; although they never went out with me. Looking forward to seeing that jacket transformation. I just know it will be divine.

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    1. Flowers and fashion?? Who follows such trends?? It seems, neither you nor I, Jayne. =) Every blossom is in vogue down here in this little plot of earth. I am loving my pretty Aran, too. It's lovely soft texture is a delight to slowly knit up. As for my jacket.....I am looking forward to seeing it's transformation, as well!! Hope you have a lovely weekend, lovely Jayne. Perhaps, for you, a little knitting of that gorgeous vintage coat of yours?? Kim Xx

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  25. Amazing post, I always love to read your cute writings.
    So many beautiful photo's, and the sweater is fantastic, the beauty of the stitches and the soft color, lovely!!!

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    1. Thank you, Loes. I am loving the soft colour and texture of this sweater. I can't wait till it is finished. Have the most wonderful weekend, lovely lady. Kim Xx

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  26. Lovely country roads to walk there. Your sweater looks grand!
    Wonderful blooms,too. O those roses!
    And Mr. Boo definitely looks like he's in the comfort zone.
    I am looking forward to seeing your embellished jacket, Kim.

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  27. Oh myyyyyyy - the glories of your post - of your flowers - of your frills and fabrics - my heart is happy when I see you blog. I think it is time now for you to begin thinking about writing a book - I will be first to buy it. Just pictures - not really a how-to book, but a look-at-what-I-did book - one to drool over and enjoy day after day. You are so good at styling your photos - such charm and sweetness, and your writing is just wondrous. I can see a new book every year - you are one of the most talented artists I've ever seen - anywhere - anytime - I always wait anxiously for your next post. So maybe this winter you will have time and can make us a pretty book so we can sit and browse to our heart's content. Happy weekend my dear.

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  28. Oh the meeting of the minds of animals is my favorite picture!! Oh and the colors and patterns you've chosen to embellish your jacket are so warm and yummy....hmmmm.....maybe I could commission you to create such a jacket for one of your favorite second grade teachers! LOL!!! JK!!I really am looking forward to seeing this one finished. Enjoy your creative journey ahead.
    BTW...have you ever had to transplant roses?? (That's what I'm doing this weekend and hoping all goes well)

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  29. I so love yor way of living your life, you're such a lovely lady of calm temper, you love crafting and enjoying al the little things every day gives us as a gift ... thank you, Dearie, for being so special !

    Wishing you a most wonderful remainder of your weekend,
    sending hugs end ever much love across the many miles

    XOXO Dany

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  30. How lovely to meet Boo. Fiona hides from strangers too, although she is a great spy. In fact, when she arrived here she lived for a good while under a bookcase...Perhaps that it just what black cats are like the world over. Your blue cable knit is coming on beautifully. Such a wonderful pattern and lovely colour and I'm looking forward to seeing your jacket spruced up. I'm glad you still have flowers blooming as beautifully as ever even though you are heading into autumn. I hope you have a lovely week :)

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  31. How did I miss this post of yours, such a delight for the heart and soul! I simply adored your walk with Miss Maisie and the bovine conference along the way! It had to have been moo-st important! And poor Boo... our sweet Mr. Simba doesn't care for company either. I suspect they might be friends, lol! And the delightful flowers that you still have, oh my, I am simply in love! I don't blame you for wishing that winter would slow her act down, and let you enjoy your blooms a bit longer! Here, I am patiently waiting for happy faces to pop out of the cold soil that I planted last fall. I hope the tulips come up and that my chickens didn't eat the bulbs I planted, lol! And your turquoise wolly is just beautiful so far. I know you will enjoy it this winter... and I can't wait to see your tarted up new jacket. It will be a beauty! Hugs to you dear friend, appreciate the joy and beauty always shared here in abundance :)

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  32. I love that photo of the jumble for fabrics, ribbons and laces. A promise of things to come. Looking forward to seeing the tarted up jacket.
    Amalia
    xo

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  33. The photo of Maisie with her bovine friends just gave me the giggles! Such a funny scene! I needed that! I've had black cats and you are right about their aloofness. They seem to have a presence about them that demands respect. Your knitting is so soft and pretty and those dahlias are absolutely wonderful displayed on your amazing hexie quilt. The colors are just so rich like a fine old painting. Thank you for your dear condolences for our little Peanut - you are very kind. It's sad that you are looking towards winter just when we are coming into spring. I want everyone to be happy about spring, but autumn is equally beautiful, too. I hope you have a lovely week ahead in your golden season. I'm looking forward to seeing how your jacket turns out. Sending hugs xo Karen

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    1. Thank you, Karen, and re your sweet Peanut, you are most welcome. It is always a sad path in life to lose a furry family member. Yes, Autumn is a gloriously, golden hued season, and it is particularly so in this cool climate. As for Winter...I will just batten down the hatches, light a cozy fire each day and spend a lot of time knitting woollies. It's just that in Winter my bones seem very much older. =) Have a lovely week, lovely lady. Enjoy the beginnings of your beautiful Spring. Kim Xx

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  34. My peppers can barely take all of this loveliness that you have shared here. That long country road is surely a place where I would love to walk. I used to do this when we had our cabin in Virginia and I always talked to the cows :) I cannot wait to see what you do with that jacket...oh my word. Like I said, you have certainly shared many beautiful visuals here, Kim. Happy Tuesday to you!

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