Sunday, September 6, 2020

Beautiful Things Come Together One Stitch At A Time



Hello lovely lovelies❣ How are you all?? Goodness me, more weeks have disappeared into the history of our lives. I wonder what has transpired in your little part of the world?? Some of you, I know are going through impossibly difficult days; I am so sorry. Some of you are being buffetted from pillar to post wondering, indeed what tomorrow will drop at your door. Wish oh wish I could knock on your door, gift you a bunch of flowers and give you the warmest of hugs; and perhaps, share a conspiratorial cup of tea, in a fancy teacup, of course.


Down here far from the madding crowd Spring is stirring. How do I know this?? Firstly, because the blustery winds of Old Man Winter have whooshed the pages of the calendar to rest on the month of September (YAY) for a while, and, I suppose more importantly, in the garden there are clumps of bright, yellow sunshine in the form of happy daffodils. One cannot be sad when one gazes upon muddly messes of rows of these happy heralders of that long awaited season I love so. Soon, the gloomy days of winter will be but a distant memory and months of happy and colourful flowers will once again begin the dance of the flower kingdom, each taking their turn in succession on the flower stage.

Maisie has recovered and is once again springing around, though under my watchful eye. Again, I have been embroidering my fabric flowers. As I sit here I wonder if embroider is even the correct word?? When I think of embroidery my mind imagines elaborate embroidered stitches so expertly stitched on those masterful masterpieces imagined by needlework connosieurs. The only 'embroidery' I have stitched these last couple of months is a simple back stitch, along with french knots. No fancy stitches here embellishing my fabric flower garden. No lazy daisy stitches, no chain stitch, no beads, or pearls; none of those intricate stitches that one would associate with embroidery. Whatever it is that I have been doing.....embroidery or just plain run-of-the-mill stitching; simple back stitching and a few....well quite a lot actually, french knots; my flowers (except the wisteria) are finished. After many, many hours and days, all the flowers now have the minutiae of their blossomy state.

Irises, tulips, poppies, granny bonnets, lilies, gladdies, water lilies, japanese anemones...........daffies......all are blooming in their full gorgeousness. 'Tis true, isn't it, with each tiny hand stitch, what seems like an impossibly drawn out task, where seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks ........indeed months pass into history, all of a sudden, the interminably slow stitching results in fully 'grown' flowers in all their beauty, are before you.  As I gaze upon each flower and the gazillion of stitches thereon, I am reminded of the patience and mettle that is needed to bring about what is in one's muddly imagination to come to fruition. Why, I believe a hand stitched pretty in all it's entirety is not for the antsy. So with that being said.....shall you and I stroll along my garden to see all the pretty fabric flowers blossoming in full bloom? Oh please do......I think they might make you smile, if only a little.










This week I will begin the begin of  fashioning oodles and oodles of tiny petals for each wisteria flower. I fear the wisteria will take a very long time but not to worry because I am a patient gal. I am not in a hurry. Hopefully in a couple of weeks the beginnings of wisteria flowers and leaves will be tangling their way across the top of the quilt in a pleasing fashion. But for now, I must be off,  as my good husband and my good self are lunching with some friends to celebrate Father's Day. Thank you so much for popping by my little place. As always your sweet visit has cheered my day and sprinkled a little ray of spring sunshine into my day. May you all enjoy the loveliest of days with sprinkles of beauty causing you to smile. Take care




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








Linking this week to Kathy's, Slow Sunday Stitching  and Frédérique's Patchwork, Quilting and Applique


65 comments:

  1. Tea and flowers! I wish we lived closer together!

    Wow - so much details on those flowers. It's lovely. And yay for spring! I've been thinking of you as the first of the fall leaves have begun to turn here.

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  2. Wonderful, wonderful, Kim. Love just exactly what you did, those flowers are as sweet as can be. French knots (my favorite) and back-stitches are as much embrodery as any others. So...embroider away!! I saw a pieced block the other day - a daffodil. It made me long for spring weather and spring flowers. Enjoy your spring September as I enjoy my fall September. Glad Maisie is doing well.

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  3. All your flowers, both real and embroidered, are beautiful. What works of art! Happy to hear about Maisie's recovery. Have a lovely lunch - we can still only imagine such outings here in Victoria!

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    1. I am afraid, Jayne, that after we came home from lunch, Maisie, had gone awandering again and as yet we haven't found her. After several sightings by neighbours she has disappeared. We spent the whole afternoon looking for her. Honestly, you would think she would have learnt her lesson. We think some horses next door spooked her. I am sorry you were unable to celebrate Father's Day as you would have liked. It is sad what is happening in Melbourne/Victoria. Hopefully the restrictions and lockdowns will end soon. Take care. Kim Xx

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  4. Delighted to read that Maisie is on the mend. She's as sweet as those daffodils. Your embellished blooms are a joy to behold. No matter how long it takes, it can only be fulfilling to bring them to life.

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  5. Spring is coming with new beautiful flowers and new beautiful quilts ! We are still in Summer (30ºc) but Fall is coming for sure....Time flies...
    Glad your Maisie has recovered.
    Have a lovely week, lovely Kim !
    Anna

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  6. Your embroidery enhances the flowers, you have a good eye! Love the birds and butterflies. Next time show the entirety of the quilt progress. If I ever make it to Australia, I'm coming to visit you so I can see this beautiful quilt in person. Happy stitching!

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  7. Your pretty floral pictures made me smile. Enjoy your wisteria stitching.

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  8. Oh my so so so many stitches! Your embroidery really is enhancing the appliqued flowers. Your love of flowers is shining thru!

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  9. You know how to stage a photo! I'm always captivated by your florals...so pretty! The applique work is stunning...it reminds me of a BOM that was done by New Zealand Quilter magazine a number of years ago! :)

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  10. Your stitches are so beautiful and delicately placed one after another. The flowers are coming alive and I can almost see those cosmoses blowing in the breeze.

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  11. I live all your stitching, Kim, and especially love the birdies and bees that you e sprinkled amongst the blooming flowers. Happy springtime to you and Happy Father’s Day to your hubby. I’m glad that Maisie is doing better!

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  12. Oh! You have such a way with words and stitch! A complete delight!

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  13. Someday, God will ask you to embroider the gowns of the angels. Exquisite work.

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  14. Gorgeous embroidered floral delights! Lots of stitching productivity while Maisie healed. She looks quite content posing behind the daffs. Perhaps her motive is hopes that something comes along that she can chase. I love the five-petal flower with yellow french knots radiating out of the green center. Enjoy your fresh new season!

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  15. I love daffodils! Yours are so pretty - both stitched and growing in your garden!

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  16. It would be a delight to visit you, sipping tea while sitting surrounded by your beautiful spring flowers and seeing your exquisite garden quilt in person. Your stitches, no matter what you call them, bring such life to each appliqued posy. Your hours of loving handwork are creating a treasured masterpiece that will provide you with warmth and comfort for many years to come. I hope the search for the wayward Maisie was successful.
    Pat

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  17. Thank you for the lovely virtual flowers and visit! Almost as good as in real life :) Have a lovely outing today!

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  18. Love seeing your florals, and embellishment, and all your gorgeous pictures. You again brought a smile to my face this Sunday gazing at all this gorgeousness!

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  19. Adjectives fail me...just beautiful. I am curious about your butterflies-are they borderie perse from another fabric or are they flowers etc you have cut to look like butterflies?

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  20. Loverly! Lucky you to be opening the door to spring as we close our doors to summer, ushering in the cooler days of fall.

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    1. That bright pink front door of mine, Rita, is always flung wide open to spring. It always seems such a long wait and all of a sudden spring is here......soooo exciting! Enjoy your cooler days of fall. Kim Xx

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  21. It is a delight to the eye to see all the beautiful photos you share.
    The flowers are so beautiful. Both the real daffodils and all the ones you have applied in beautiful colors and stitches. :-)

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  22. Wow! Your flowers are amazing. They look so real I can reach out and touch them. The embroidery you are adding is really making this a stunning piece. Enjoy the lunch with friends. Your flowers made me smile =) Thanks.

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  23. This was a wonderful post, so well written and enjoyable. Such beautiful photos too of flowers and especially your fabric flowers. All gorgeous. You do beautiful work though you may think it is not as intricate as museum embroidery. You have shown just how enjoyable to the eye all embroidery is.

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  24. Just beautiful, such a lot of stitches and all so lovingly done, one and all. The addition of the birds, butterflies, and bees make this piece sing.
    So pleased to read that your beloved Maisies health is improving. It is Spring here in New Zealand as well, but sometimes winter comes back with a blast so we dont get too complacent, like yesterday, rain and gale force winds. But today the weather is lovely again.

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  25. Thanks for sharing all your beautiful work.........certainly gave me a smile!

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  26. Oh the joy of seeing the flowers popping up in spring time, no more welcoming sight in springtime! So good to hear Maisie has recovered and is out frolicking once again :)
    Your stitching is just beautiful, wow you did do some french knots in the center of your flowers, they look wonderful, I like how you used different colors too, yes I would call it embroidery just brings you flowers more to life that's for sure! Good luck on your stitching of the wisteria, I bet they will be lovely when you are done. It is good to have patience when you have taken on all of this!

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  27. Hi Kim
    Your wonderful quilt certainly brings a smile. I love looking at all the intricate detail and I do think it is embroidery. Can’t wait to see the wisteria . You have such talent. So glad Maisie is back to her old self.
    Best wishes Kay c XX

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    1. I can't wait to see the wisteria, too, Kay. =) Though, I feel this part of the quilt will take a while as each petal is so tiny. Thank you for your lovely thoughts, Kay. Kim Xx

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  28. It is always a pleasure taking a peek in your colorful world Kim!
    And I have enjoyed greatly looking through your pictures of beautifully stitched flowers and yes, I would agree. It is embroidery regardless whether it employs fancy stitches or not. Your perfectly neat stitches leave me in awe!
    On the other side of the world, we started seeing slightest changes in nature. The nights have become chillier though we had lots of rainfall this summer, so the greens have not turned yellow yet. Enjoy your first signs of spring!

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  29. I'm so glad that Maisie is fully recovered, I'm a little envious of your glorious daffodils and the thought of your upcoming spring when I have the gloomy months of winter looming, however on the bright side I can look forward to the lovely Autumn colours. Your stitching is so neat and perfect and really only the simplest of stitches are needed to bring your lovely flowers to life they look amazing. Have a lovely week. xx

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  30. Good Day!!
    A visit here IS a gift of flowers and certainly is a joyful place to be. I have looked closely at your birds. I don't recall that you have ever mentioned how you create them. Fussy cut? Enhanced with a bit of Sharpy? I love them so much.
    xx, Carol

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  31. This beauty seems to have come together very quickly. I think it would take me very many lifetimes to stitch all those stitches. It really is quite marvellous and lovely to have Spring arriving with real flowers to display it with. And I'm very glad to see Maisie is better in time to run amongst the daffodils :)

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  32. Hi Kim, your lovelies are wonderful and did make me smile. I wish that I could pop over to your land of spring. Fall is here and it's wonderful but it heralds winter which is fine because I'll be hibernating. I'm so glad that Maisie is well. Enjoy the spring and your embroidery. It's truly beautiful.
    Take care and a huge hug :-)

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  33. Lovely project is beautiful as usual. Glad Maisie is better. Have a blessed week.
    Marion

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    1. Thank you so much, lovely Marion. Have a beautiful week enjoying all that Autumn beauty that surrounds you. Kim Xx

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  34. Kim, happy to hear that Maisie is recovered. The quilt is lovely. We are going into Autumn. This is my favorite season. Have a blessed and happy week.
    Marilyn

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    1. How lovely you can now enjoy Autumn. I know I will be enjoying Spring. As for Maisie, I have another tale to tell you of my naughty girl since this post, but that is a story for next time. Have a great week, lovely Marilyn. Kim Xx

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  35. Wow! What a beautiful collection of color! Spring is my favorite season....though Autumn (which we are about to begin here) is a very close second! :-) Enjoy!

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  36. What a painstaking job you have had, but with great results, it is truly beautiful how your quilt will look.
    All those little but magical stitches and French knots you made with so much patience!
    Glad that dear Maisie has recovered.
    Enjoy Spring dear Kim! ♥

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    1. Thank you, lovely Loes. You enjoy your Autumn. Kim Xx

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  37. Oh so beautiful - and Maisie - she looks regal! I am glad spring is coming for you!! Today - should be fall ( in Colorado) but we are getting snow - and to be honest - I am happy about it... it is so dry and the fires are awful. - but!! I love your spring post and the colors - so keep them up!! Beautiful!!!

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  38. Hello dear Kim! Oh, your embroidery enhanced quilt-y blooms are so gorgeous! I pray you have a blissful spring! We have rain turning into snow today and yesterday it was SO HOT! Colorado is so weird with weather! Sending heaps of love to you, sweet friend!

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  39. your embroidery is nothing short of magnificent, each stitch so perfectly placed!! the colors too are so beautiful as well!!

    we will be planting our spring bulbs soon and spring is such a wonderful time of year!! good to here that Maisie is better and sprinting around like her old self again!!!

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  40. So wonderful that your spring flowers are swaying in the breeze.
    So pleased to read that Maisie has recovered, Kim.
    Oh your quilt...what a masterpiece filled with beautiful stitching.

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    1. Yes, the spring flowers swaying in the breeze in the garden are quite lovely, Dixie. About Maisie.....she escaped again but after a couple of days roaming around the countryside she has found her way back home...looking exhausted, dirty and hungry, but thankfully uninjured. A tale for my next post, I should think. =) Dogs!!! Thank you for your beautiful words and sweet visit, lovely lady. Kim Xx

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  41. I hope you find Maisie soon if you haven't already. Please post a quick comment when you do. I loved seeing your flowers. We are beginning fall in the US but the flowers are at their prime, juicy tomatoes still ripening. I know by the end of the month or mid October things will take a drastic turn. I love sitting outside observing the bees and butterflies among the flowers. The birds singing and splashing in the bath. Today God is watering my garden so I'm inside. I have lost my crafting bug. I hate turning on the TV, everyday seems to worse than the last. The virus, hurricanes, wildfires, rioting, looting, shooting and so much more. I know God loves us all and wants us to get our act together. Take care.

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  42. Amazing artwork and adorable flowers! Maisie is so cute...Love those gorgeous vases in the last picture too.Beautiful pink tulips,how delicate they are!Hugs,my dear friend( I thought I left a comment when I visited you before but I am getting crazy!).

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    1. Then I am in the best of company, Maristella, as I am getting a little crazy, too. =) Hugs to you my lovely friend. Kim Xx

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  43. Beautiful work Kim! Apologies for not visiting recently ..... I fell down the Instagram wormhole! I always thought Pinterest was bad enough, but it’s hard to return from Instagram. I love your birds and the little bees, and, oh, what wonderful flowers, I love them all!
    I do hope Maisie is OK now!
    Hugs,
    Barbara xx

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  44. Hi Kim oh wow your work is amazing and always so colourful and happy happy Spring my friend stay safe and take care xx

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  45. Dear Kim, I'm so happy to hear Maisie is recovering under your loving care. We love our pups, don't we? Sallie has taken to sleeping in Jerry's new shed (should I call it Sallie's new shed?) He added a doggie door for her and she like the independence. She stays close during the day so I needed to make a new bed for the shed. I fashioned her a large, comfy stuffed cushion out of 3 towels and she was thrilled! This shed is air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter....doesn't she sound like a spoiled pup?! (Jerry is using it as a woodworking and machine repair shop so that's it's REAL function!) Your floral quilt is simply gorgeous!! I can't wait to see how you add the wisteria pedals! I've been busy with projects and volunteer work and haven't had much time for stitching. My big project will be Sept 19 - a District Meeting for an organization I'm in. We usually have an all-day sit-down meeting with a luncheon. My district is the St. Louis area and we just can't have that type of format this year. We decided to hold an outdoor, drive-through event instead for just a couple of hours. If people want to visit, they can but it will be outside so they can social distance. If I knew we would be in a pandemic, I'd never have volunteered for this. Anyway, after this is over and with fall and winter coming on, I've got several quilting projects in the wings. I can't wait!! With Covid, I've realized I've become more of a homebody and that's just fine! I'm wishing you a wonderful week and a very happy Spring! Zenda

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  46. Oh hello pretty flowers! I can't even begin to count the ways I love them! I spent some time trying to choose a favorite but soon gave up on that idea. How beautiful your work is! Wow!

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    1. Oh hello, lovely Mary. I, too am finding it a wee bit tricky in choosing a favourite flower.....but for me the hydrangeas just inch that little bit ahead. =) There is just something about those hydrangeas. Kim Xx

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  47. Kim - I am not just smiling, I am beaming from ear to ear! From the daffies and tulips to Maisie and your delightful embroidery, one cannot leave this post without being cheered and encouraged! Thanks for casting some sunshine on my day. (And yes, I think I counted a gazillion french knots!)

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  48. Amazing work Kim, such an array of beautiful flowers, birds and butterflies, colour and textures. dificult to choose a favourite bloom, all have been stitched to perfection.

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  49. Stunning! Your embroidery is beautiful. xx

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  50. What I beautiful stroll through your fabric garden. You have outdone yourself with this one, Kim! Absolutely amazing!

    -Soma

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  51. Gorgeous flowers, gorgeous makes, you never disappoint, dear Kim. I'm sorry I've not been around much. These past few weeks have been crazy busy at work and a few other worries piled up, I completely lost control of my time. We are going back into lockdown on Friday, for a minimum of three weeks. I'm going to look at it as a chance to take charge of my schedule, do a thorough clean and get back in touch. That is the plan, anyway :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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  52. Oh my goodness Kim - you are outdoing yourself with this one! I love the little birds peeking out here and there (and of course those wonderful bees!). And how colorful it is - just like a real garden should be. Beautiful!

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