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.................