Summer Roses

Hello lovelies; as it has been a couple of weeks since I last penned a post (where oh where do the days go??),  I thought I would send a little happy colour and fragrance to your wintry world......that is of course to those of you whom are about to step into the dead of Winter. I know, I know, your wintry wonderland is rather beautiful, snow-capped mountains, hot chocolate in front of the fire, perhaps a little woolly knitting/crocheting and all that.....but for those dark, grey and gloomy days......how about a little Aussie colour; how about a feast of gorgeous Summer Roses. As for those of you lovelies who live south of the Equator, you are probably knee deep in roses as well. Never mind, perhaps you would like a bo-peep too. =) 

The roses down here at the bottom of the world have awakened from an ever-so-long, deep sleep and have decided to smile with the happiest of smiles. Ol' Man Sun is beginning to cover us with his warmth and sunny brightness and I must say, the roses are a-glowing! Though we don't have oodles of rose bushes, the roses we do have are blooming in gorgeous hues, and I might add, the most intoxicating of fragrances.

A vision in pinks.

A vision in lemons, oranges and tangerines.

Honestly, a basket filled with roses truly is a vision splendid, not to mention the perfume wafting in the air is divine.

Roses, warm summery days and in a little while my favourite flowers of all time....the beautiful blue Hydrangeas. But for now I will just take time to smell the beautiful Roses. =)

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

Tickled Pink

This past week, in this far rural outpost, I happened upon a quirky little shop which was filled to the rafters with bric-a-brac. A bright pink, painted shop with the name of "Tickled Pink", burgeoning with the funnest of antiquities. Needless to say I am tickled pink (sorry =D ) with discovering this little shop. Actually I am beside myself with great joy, even quite delirious with the discovery of it!!

Upon crossing the threshold of this fun shop my eyes ricocheted from shelf to shelf as to what once-loved relics were on offer. The proprietor who smiled at my oohing and aahing (I know it is hard for you to believe but I do quite often gush in establishments of this ilke) asked me "what things do you collect?" I had one of my "one-of-a-kind" bags over my shoulder; a bag decorated with a needlepoint, ruched ribbons, a vintage brooch etc etc. Well.........she said "I see you like needlepoints; do you sew??" I replied, "a little", to which she went on to say, "I have bags and bags filled with needlepoints  which I have been collecting over the years.........would you be interested in looking at some?" Mmm....now let me think........is the Pope Catholic??!! Needless to say a few went home with me!!

Are they not all gorgeous?? Am I not one lucky gal?? AND.........there were so many more that I just might return at a later date to take more off her hands. 'Tis such a pity my good husband had to eat this past week, or I would have taken the whole kit and kaboodle home with me. I did ask him if the beauty of these pretties would sustain him by the sheer joy of looking at these pretties every day; if they would quell his hunger pains. Perhaps I could empty the bank of the pennies that we have been squirreling away; but even though he smiled, I thought perhaps not. He is still rather thin and I suppose I should be more mindful of fattening him up. As for me, I could forego a few meals this week. Come to think of it, my figure would be most thankful for undergiong a week long fast!! Seriously though, I must say all these glorious needlepoints lovingly stitched by others, were swooped up for the proverbial song, with not a great amount of cash exchanging hands.

Sweet girls!

The cutest cottages.

Vases of flowers......bouquets of flowers......flowers, flowers, flowers!!

Grapevines and lattice!

AND......the piece de resistance......beautiful swans floating among the Water Lilies! Oh, the beautiful swans!!

The needlepoints are different sizes ranging in length from 10 inches to 20 inches. I don't know about you, but my li'l ol' heart goes pitty pat at the sight of these pretties.

Not only have needlepoints tickled my fancy this past week. Pretties of the botanical kind have put a smile on my dial. =)

These Rhododendrons bring to mind little girls' frilly and fanciful petticoats in the prettiest of pinks. Alas, they were not picked from my garden but I pilfered these divine flowers from a B&B garden. Oh, don't worry, I sought the permission of the proprietor before I attacked her bush. =) When these pretties have wilted away, I will pop the cuttings into the ground to see if they take root and gift me with pretty flowers in a couple of seasons. Everywhere you go in Tassie at the moment, the landscape is dotted with beautiful Rhododendrons of every hue.  =)

I couldn't help myself. A teacup filled with some Sweet Pea and Pansy love.

Oh, to lay on a bed of Wisteria petals dotted with Pansies and Granny Bonnets, looking up at the blue, blue sky.

A little more stitching of fabric, origami flowers to my Japanese quilt.

My brainpan is a bit light on in the elucidation of the intricacies of fabric origami, but I am plodding along okay.

Perhaps scaling tall ladders to pick Lilacs from way, way up high wasn't the wisest choice to make, but I have lived to tell the tale. Beautiful Lilacs greeting the blue, blue sky.

A vision in Lilac. =)

Needlepoints, flowers........flowers, needlepoints.......another week filled with beautiful things. A cache of pretty needlepoints, sweet flowers and a little stitching makes for a most beautiful kinda week!

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

"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......................