Sunday, July 26, 2020

Let me tell you about the birds and the bees..........


Hello lovely lovelies. I do hope you are all well. 'Tis been a little while since I chatted here at my little wintry place. To be honest there has been many a day where I haven't even turned the computer on. Down here on this little island we are all braving the outside world, though admittedly with social distancing and all the proper and sensible COVID precautions upmost in our minds. We have been fortunate here in Tassie as it has been quite a while since a person has reported positive to COVID. Though in saying this, just this week a person returning from mainland Australia has been quarantined after testing positive. But other than that, this little island whose borders are still closed is doing quite well. We have had excellent governance here in Tasmania.

Here in Tassie I sense a change in the wintry days; the slightest of change in the light. Just a wee bit of a change, but change nevertheless.  The days are ever so slightly inching towards more daylight and Old Man Winter has thus far behaved himself. Oh, he has unclasped his bag of frigid tricks and dived deep down where the chilliest of glacial gimmicks lay waiting for him to toss them wherever he will, but he has also acquiesced just a little, to enable us to enjoy beautiful, sunny days as well. Of course it is a wee bit chilly outside but each day, here inside my family room, with the sun's rays reaching across the room warming everything, there is a delicious sense of warmth. I won't speak too soon though, because I am quite certain Old Man Winter might just have the last biting laugh. But.....I won't think about that now because today was a glorious, sunny Sunday.

Though I have been rather lax in chatting to you all, I have been stitching. Here in my humble abode, with the fire ablazing and warm, sunshiny beams warming my heart, mind and soul there have been many delightful moments filled with joyful, slow hand stitching. Joyful embroidering of the finer details on the flowers of my garden quilt. The pansies' sweet personalities are now apparent on their faces. Simple long and short stitches, but oh, how the pansies have been transformed. It is always amazing how just the simplest of touches of embroidery adds dimension and charm to a subject. The cosmos fern-like leaves have been embroidered, too, along with the veins of other leaves. Oh.....and those sensory appendages, the antennae, have been stitched onto my flutter of butterflies.

Let me tell you about the birds and bees that have found a home in the fabric garden. Sweet birds perching on a flower or two and bright and happy bumble bees taking delight in the fabric flowers. I snippety-snipped the birds from a fabric which has been laying in my stash for yonks and as for the bees; well, I happened upon a magazine called Daphne's Diary this week and lo and behold there were a few sheets overspilling with buzzy bees. Once again a 'happenstance' kind a moment. Aah...such serendipity.

So......I photocopied the bees onto transfer fabric paper, snipped around each little bee and appliqued them onto my fabric garden. They were a tad finicky but so glad I persevered. Would you believe each little bee took an age.


Today was one of those gloriously sunny, wintry days. I spent a good part of today travelling around the countryside with my husband, who was the guest speaker at a few churches, deep, deep in rural Tasmania. So, as he drove merrily along I enjoyed some slow stitching as the countryside rolled by. The stitching was slower than slow as there was many a bend in the road. Not to worry though as I enjoyed the best of Sundays;  meeting and chatting to gorgeous people, drinking in the countryside vistas outside the car window as I happily embroidered away; oh....and a coffee or two in a cafe. Those country roads have taken us back home again, where this evening I am going to put my feet up and continue embroidering as I watch TV.

Thank you for popping by and gifting me with your visit. The very best characteristic about this bloggy world is all you lovely lovelies who take time out of your day to visit my little place, to see what I have been up to. Hope you enjoy a lovely week. Mine no doubt will see me enjoying more embroidering of details on the flowers and leaves. Such a pleasant way to spend my week, don't you think.

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





Linking up this week to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching




61 comments:

  1. Oh wow! how beautiful, so much detail, I can well believe it took an age but each tiny bee was well worth all that time because they make the quilt buzz and those birds bring it alive. You are so talented each flower is beautiful the detail makes all the difference. Your trip out sounds lovely, but I don't know how you can manage to sew in the car, I would get car sick and probably prick myself with the needle. Enjoy your cosy days inside it sounds heavenly. xx

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  2. A clever (photocopied to transfer fabric) and talented woman you are , Kim !
    The result is lovely ! All the birds, bees and butterflies flying together in the middle of flowers !!!! Travelling in your car ;)
    Have a cosy week !
    Hug
    Anna

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  3. The birds and bees add so much to your quilt! The detail in your quilt is so amazing. She's a treasure, happy stitching!

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  4. Kim, the beautiful appliqued birds and bees make your quilt even more spectacular! What immensely neat and impeccable stitches!

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  5. Hello in return while reading your newsy post on the stitching progress and virus update in your peaceful corner of the world. Brilliant idea on adding the birds and the bees to the breathtaking garden. There is now a glimmer of hope that winter doesn’t last forever. Personally, I enjoy stitching with the later part winter sunshine providing the light. Thank you for taking us along on your Sunday drive while visiting countryside churches along the way.

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  6. it sounds as though you have had a mild winter thus far, that's good news!!

    i really love the addition of the "birds and the bees" and the butterflies, good you persevered. thought process behind that addition was brilliant....sometimes the trickiest parts add the most beauty. and isn't it so rewarding to stick with it.

    the quilt is gorgeous, you always take so much time presenting it and photographing it, it does not go unnoticed!! have a great new week!!

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  7. Wow beautiful. Thanks for the great eye candy.

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  8. Lovely, just lovely! It will be a stunner when you are done.

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  9. You have a ton of patience to applique all those birds, flowers and tiny bees. Your work is beautiful. Enjoy the lengthening of the days as you move toward Spring. With your love of flowers, I am sure it is one of your favorite seasons.

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  10. your applique is just so beautiful - I'm so glad there is a place in this world that is barely touched by covid!!

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  11. WOW,WOW and WOW!How magic...It looks like a real and enchanting garden( as yours!)...I would love to be there!Congratulations for your precious art work,God gives you a great gift. Blessings to you and to your husband.

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    1. Why, Maristella, I think this sweet little garden where the birds sing, the bees buzz happily away and the sweet butterflies flutter amongst the pretty flowers might just well be enchanted. =) Your visit, dear lady, has sprinkled sunbeams to my day. May your week be filled with much beauty and much tea drinking from any one of your gorgeous teacups. Kim Xx

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  12. Wow, your stitching is amazing. Those bee's look like they are ready to fly off the fabric. Absolutely beautiful.

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  13. What a beautiful project! The detail is amazing!

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  14. Such a pretty piece! Your writing is truly lovely and draws me in.

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  15. Gorgeous! I love how the bird is shaded. The fabrics chose are perfect! Keep on stitching. :)

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  16. Gorgeous work, love the flowers and birds and bees. Love reading your descriptions, and looking at your gorgeous pictures! Have a great week!

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  17. Dearest Lizzie, I never know where to pin your photos too....my sewing board or my ART board. You are a fiber ARTISTE---every bit is gorgeous and breathtaking and the movement you create with you colors, shadings and composition is amazing!!! Love everything...so simply PRETTY!

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    1. You are very sweet, Sandi; thank you so much❣ I just consider myself to be a gal who adores to play with fabric and see where it takes me as I stroll happily along the flower-kissed, fabric path. There is always a bee, or a bird or a pretty butterfly to follow. =) Your sweet visit and beautiful comments, lovely Sandi, have brought the kiss of sunshine to my day. Kim Xx

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  18. Such a lovely project, those birds and bees are fabulous. Your posts are always full of wonderful eye candy.

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  19. Siempre es un placer leer tus hiistorias y ver tus preciosas colchas llenas de color y cariño.
    Aquí el COVID-19 ha vuelto a repuntar..... hay muchas personas irresponsables que nos están perjudicando a todos..... y aunque la gran mayoría tomamos precauciones, somos responsables y salimos poco de casa no es suficiente....
    MuChos BESICOS.

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  20. Your garden quilt is just wonderful, Kim! You've made me want to stitch some pansies! (Right now I'm embroidering snowmen!) Pretty birds on there, too. Lovely!

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  21. Birds and bees and flowers, what a wonderful combination. Adding faces to the pansies make them look so much more wonderful with your gorgeous applique. I'm sure there will be plenty more embroidery added to this piece and you will love every stitch.

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  22. This is an amazing piece of work! The awesome variation of flowers and colors! I am enamored with it and all that you have done. And yes, your fauna has added a lot to the flowers. Is this a pattern or your own creation?

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    1. Thank you so much, Debbie❣ This quilt is a figment of my rather muddly imagination. =) It started with a thought of wanting to stitch a beautiful garden, with the garden my husband has lovingly dreamed up and tended as my inspiration. Nothing has been planned....I have just made it up as I muddled along, going with the flow, so to speak. This is the way I work. Oh, there are frustrations along the way BUT that is what happens when one plays. This quilt is overspilling with little step after little step, day in day out of dreaming, drawing, cutting, unpicking.......sewing a gazillion of the tiniest of applique stitches....all melding together to form the pretty quilt which thus far, is before me. This is what I love about quilting....with just one 'simple' thought or idea a quilt of greaty beauty (that is....to the one whose fingers stitch the quilt) slowly begins to 'be'. I have often thought that this quilt would be a fabulous subject for a book. The story behind it, the dreaming of it, the planning and designing of it, the stitching of it...............beautiful photos depicting the various stages of this quilt and there would have to be oodles of photos of my husband's amazing garden......oh, and of course the pattern. Now there's a thought.....................❣ But, just for now, I will keep on playing and see what grows on my fabric garden. Thank you, Debbie, for gifting me with your beautiful visit and sweet, sweet comments. Kim Xx

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  23. Those bees are a wonderful addition to your quilt and the birds too of course. It may be Winter outside but I think it is always Summer inside your house :)

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  24. I have missed you and was hoping that all was well. So glad to read your post and know that the virus is not rearing it's ugly head.

    Now onto important things like quilting. :) I'm such a control freak; I think that's why I love what you do so much. I need to relax and learn the art of improv...which you do so wonderfully. The serendipity of the bees was inspiring and you did them such justice. Love the variety of birds, too. Long car trips are perfect for hand stitching...don't you just feel proud to have accomplished much as well as enjoying the outing?
    Again, glad that all is well. Blessings.

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  25. Oh my Kim, it may be winter outside but in your room and car it is summer time. Oh yes your stitching just brings the flowers to life as if they hadn't been before, just gave them that much more life, and your appliqueing of the birds and bees is just outstanding, I can't imagine the time it took but what a wonderful addition they are. Glad you are able to stay safe at these times, we went to church for the first time today and it was marvelous praising God with our church family once again, I was ever so thankful we could have service on line all this time but to be in person once again was terrific!

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  26. The first thing that popped into my head when I saw that quilt was Monet's Garden !! How beautiful it all looks & the pastel colours. Just lovely dear Kim. Your little bees look so cute. Do you put the transfer paper through your printer .... I am not familiar with that method??

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  27. Without the bees you wouldn't have all the flowers!

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  28. Hi Kim
    Glad to hear all is well where you are. Love the birds on your quilt and the bees, must have taken ages but so worth it . So many wonderful things going on in your quilt, can’t wait to see what comes next.
    Best wishes Kay c Xx

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    1. Kay, those itty bitty bees took such a long time to stitch each one, but they were well worth it as they add a touch of whimsy to the quilt. Thank you for your sweet visit. Hoping you enjoy a beautiful week. Kim Xx

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  29. Those are so very pretty. If I were a bird, or bee, I would love to land on your beautiful garden of flowers!

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  30. It is so satisfying to watch as your fabric flower garden continues to grow and the addition of the birds, bees, and butterflies just adds to the magic. How lucky you are to now be approaching spring when the wonderland of your husband's garden magic will make it's annual appearance. I'm having trouble grasping that it is almost August as we are mired in endless days which morph one into the next with hardly anything to distinguish them. But, of course, time marches on, and the seasons change which at least is a bit of normality in a world turned upside down. Enjoy being cozy beside your fire while you create your garden masterpiece.
    Pat

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  31. I do love when things come together like finding the bees to go with your birds and flowers. I would not have ever thought to use transfer fabric paper. My isn't that a great idea? I love your birds too, they are perfect for this project.

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  32. I always love to see your posts. Your applique is exquisite. So glad to hear you are well and keeping away from the virus. It is running rampant in the USA.
    xx, Carol

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  33. WOW! This is the best work I have seen in a long time from any quilter. I love what your are doing here with the gorgeous applique and the printed birds and bees. Love your perfect background. I am guessing this is an original?

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  34. Oh how I LOVE pansies! Yours are gorgeous. And all those beautiful birds and bees - wonderful. Such lovely stitching you have been doing in your wintry world! Have fun and stay safe. xx

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  35. Fussy printing and fussy cutting - those bees look great! Birds and embroidery look good, too. The colors are all so cheerful.

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  36. Kim what a beautiful quilt you are doing. Love the Pansies. Pansies were my late mother and her father's favorite flower. Obviously Pansies hold a special place in my heart. Have a blessed week.
    Marion

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    1. I love the sweet memories we all have of someone we love who had a favourite flower. Pansies are such a sweet flower aren't they. Their kitten-like faces always are a beautiful sight in the garden. May you have a blessed week, too, lovely Marion. Kim Xx

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  37. Hi Kim, glad to hear that you are doing well. The weather conditions you have described sound so good. Here in New York we are having a heat wave. The temperature is reaching 99 today. I long for the coziness of Fall and Winter. Have a blessed and joyous week. God Bless you and yours.
    Marilyn

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    1. The weather down here, Marilyn, hasn't been too bad at all, though I cannot wait for the warm, flowery-ness of Spring. I must say your heat wave in New York sounds rather wonderful......but then I am a heat-wave-loving-kinda-gal. It won't be long and you will be enjoying the beauty of Fall. New York in Fall must be a beautiful sight. May your week be a blessed one, too, lovely Marilyn. Kim Xx

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  38. All those bees, birds and butterflies in your fabric garden are so incredibly beautiful.
    It gives so much fun to view your embroidered garden, all those little stitches make a beautiful and amazing patchwork quilt.
    Ha, Daphne's Diary is fun, I also have a few of them.
    Happy that you have a good time together and are healthy, many hugs! ♥

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    1. I have never purchased Daphne's Diary before, Loes. It is filled with whimsy and sweet pretties, isn't it. Thank you for visiting, lovely lady. Kim Xx

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  39. How nice that your little area has not been affected by this Covid-19. Your little bees 🐝 were so a creative endeavor and add the sweetest touch to your work of art! I hope the last days of winter are kind to you. I’m vacationing with my youngest so and his family, and not letting this virus steal my joy. ❤️

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  40. Kim - oh, to be a bee in your garden of a quilt is to truly be in paradise! One section of my garden is teeming with flowers, and when you approach you can almost feel the BUZZ of the bees, going about their business. They are so content and focused they don't bother you when you brush past! Enjoy the rest of your week, stitching away in front of the fire!

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  41. Your quilt continues to evolve and become more lovely with each addition! Now birds and bees! The perfect addition for a floral garden. I’m hoping Old Man Winter is kind to you during the remaining days of his visit. I’m glad you are keeping him at bay with your lovely stitching. It won’t be long until you’re walking in your beautiful gardens again! Take care, dear Kim!

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  42. A true labour of love, Kim! I am not surprised that each little bee took an age, but they look right at home in the fabric flower garden. Enjoy!

    -Soma

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  43. Here I am again ;) I really love your clever way to add little bees! They add so much life and cute details into your beautiful quilt!

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  44. Hello sweet Kim! Oh, the birds and bees are GORGEOUS! I love them! I'm glad you are staying cozy. How nice that your hubby speaks at churches.
    I still haven't sent out Jolly. I don't know why I can't just get it done, but when I do, would you be willing to be the last stop? You'd send him on to me at the end. He'll be flat and his parcel will be light so not a fortune in mailing costs. What do you think? Sending heaps of love and prayers your way, friend!

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  45. Love your added birds and bees, lovely idea to add even more interest to a gorgeous quilt.

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  46. A beautiful post as always and here today in Western Australia we are having a chilly wet old winter day....but a lovely day all the same. I love all the birds and the bees...just so pretty. Enjoy the rest of your beautiful day. x

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  47. This is sew pretty I love everything about it. ! I especially love the embroidered faces on the pansies, my favorite flower of spring. You are sew talented ... :) Pat

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  48. This is just so pretty. I almost fall silent with admiration when I see the beautiful pictures. So many amazing details! Thank you for sharing! :-)

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  49. Such beautiful artistry! Your entire post is filled with peaceful beauty!

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  50. I'm loving those birds and bees, Kim! They are perfect!
    So nice to be on a free and easy drive too. Good for you two.
    I am so looking forward to seeing your finished quilt, but I know
    quilts can't be rushed.
    Happy Stitching.

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    1. No, quilts cannot be rushed, Dixie. I am loving the slow stitching nature of my fabric flower garden. Thank you for your sweet visit, lovely lady. Kim Xx

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  51. I am so jealous of you. You have a government who is sensible about the coronavirus, and stores that sell Daphene's Diary magazine! And your lovely floral stitching.

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  52. Dear sweet friend, you always amaze me with your stitchery abilities, and the gorgeous quilt you have fashioned so lovingly, carefully, and with greatest attention to detail. Truly an incredible piece of art you've created, and the little bees are just delightful, and full of charm! While ole' Man Winter is slowly saying goodbyes to your world, our corner of the world is bathing in the heat of summer, enjoying glorious sunshine days, and the produce in the garden has been amazing. I am thankful for every sweet day we get to enjoy of summer, it's blooms, and its harvest. I know you are looking forward very much to those days again soon. With much love to you dear friend, always a joy to visit with you :)

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  53. Yay! I knew bees would be the perfect addition. They might have been fiddly to create but without bees there would be no gardens. Now I'm curious to see what 'Daphene's Diary' magazine is - sounds intriguing. Not likely available here but who knows. I can't remember when I last bought a nice magazine - or even been in a store that sells them. ....time passes.....well I just got back from drooling all over Daphene's web site and had a little lie down after I realized how much a subscription would cost.

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