Sunday, July 25, 2021

The Blogging Train




Hello lovely lovelies❣ Welcome to my little place where this 'Snow Queen' sits in her icy castle humble abode, where stalactite and stalagmite encrustations abound. Just joking. =) Although Jack Frost and Old Man Winter are strutting their frigid stuff; and blustering and roistering outside my windows; here in my little home where blazing fires roar away, I am as snug as a bug in a rug. Actually, even though I have awoken to many mornings of ice-sheathed landscapes as far as the eye can see, winter has not been too bad really. It has been tolerable enough.

Gosh, it has been an age  since I last chatted with you. I didn't intend to alight from the blogging train for so long, but you know how it is, you miss one week, then two, then all of a sudden the days have disappeared into many, many weeks, months even;  being swallowed up by that bearded old fellow, Father Time. I do not know how he does it, but Father Time can certainly gobble up time quicker than quick. But......the blogging train has once again  chugged into the station here at this far rural outpost, the friendly little railway man has yelled "all aboard", and with my trusty camera slung over the shoulder I have happily boarded,  setting off on the blogging train once again. Besides, I never was/am a blogger who blogs every week. I am just a blog-when-I-have-something-to-show-or-write-about, kinda gal. I don't know how you ladies manage to blog every week...and some of you who blog every other day....amazing.

During my 'leave of absence' I have been buried under a mountain of stuff; re-organising and culling an avalanche of shall we say....crap....yes....crap. =) As I am not teaching kids this year, and probably won't any more a lot of the stuff is irrelevant now. I just don't need to hoard my 'just-in-case' amassment anymore. A friend of mine is moving to a smaller place and asked me if I wanted some cupboards. I of course said yes, as what she was offering me suited my needs in my sewing room better. The cupboards are wood, slathered with a dark stain, so me being me had to sand and then paint them with many coats of sealer and paint in a pretty shade of grey, called Marina Pearl. I know....how dare I!!!! The wood gods will heap coals of fire upon my head!! I know splashing paint on wood is the cardinal sin to those who love to see wood grains from floor to ceiling but I much prefer a lighter aesthetic. So, so sorry if I have offended the sensibilities of those of you who adore wood au-natural, but I am that gal who loves a lick or two of paint covering my furniture. Alas, deviant genes I'm afraid. I am still in the process of painting. It is a task which is taking what seems forever. As it is winter one needs to wait longer between each coat. Goodness, gracious me, I have a ton of stuff, but it is a task which needs to be done. It feels good to purge. I suppose one should never start this sort of task, should one?? The bottomless textile, and bits and bobs pit is very, very deep and may I say, scary. =) Who would've thought that three 'little' cupboards could have caused so much upheaval. And....I might say one helluva mess!

Also, during by blogging absence I have been organising posts regarding all my finished pretties; quilts, tarted-up lovelies etc etc, and filing them away under new page headings which can now been seen under my blog's banner. A process I am still doing. This has taken some time. As I walked once again, along the path of Sarah Lizzie's and revisited old blog posts, I noticed some new implementations of Blogger had left some of my posts with a few glitches within. Honestly, sometimes Blogger is a pain in the right royal proverbial. I have no idea why these problems have arisen but me being me, and to please my persnickety eye, I have been going through all the posts and fixing them.  I just could not help myself from fixing things up a bit. Another deviant gene, I'm afraid. =) I am a wee bit particular about 'the look' of my blog. I know, I know...who do I think I am??!! No-one really. Just a gal, with a stylist eye from way back when, who has a certain aesthetic for my blog. Why, I consider each post is rather akin to a new chapter in my book. I must say though, I have rather enjoyed turning back the clock and re-visiting my posts from way back..  I had forgotten about a lot of the pretties I had fashioned; and the mad musings which have emanated from my rather muddly mind. I guess that is why we write a blog; a record and visual diary pertaining to our creative life.

Deary, deary me, ever the stylist with an "it's all about the look" aesthetic. As I  am a venerable woman I don't suppose old habits and sensibilities will change now. I was that girl who all through school my work books were  decorated with my Derwent colouring pencils; colourful doodles here, there and everywhere. Even the books pertaining to all things mathematics. But, surely boring calculus, algebra...Pythagoras theorem etc etc needed a little artistic touch. I know artistic squiggles here and there certainly cheered my mathematics lessons. Not quite sure the maths teachers appreciated my artistic bent, though. Why, I always thought (and still do) the hypotenuse of a triangle always looked spiffier transformed by a flowery vine trailing its way up the triangle's sharp incline.

Anyway, besides a little fixer-upper-ing of my blog, there has been a little stitching of my Flowers in Her Hair, Flowers Everywhere, but not much. The bias strips/binding have been taking an age to stitch. Metres upon metres of bias strips have been stitched with tiny stitches skipping up and down each strip; each leaf!  It is rather akin to hand stitching the binding to many quilts; a job which I am not particularly enamoured with. I suppose if one was to think about it I have figuratively stitched the binding on many queen size quilts. Funnily enough, the stitching of all these strips has not been in the least bit boring. Though, I cannot wait to begin to design and stitch what is outside the window. Three more lengths of bias strips to be stitched, skipping up, down.....and up again.

Oh...and I forgot to mention I acquired some more fabric....just a little. =) Why, now that I have culled unwanted fabrics there is some space in my brand, new cupboard waiting for that 'must have' fabric. AND.....this fabric is definitely in the 'must have' category. The fabric is dancing all over with big, bold hydrangeas! Just 'gorjuss'!!!! =) It kinda reminds me of 1960's tablecloth fabric. I have no idea what I will do with it, but I am sure something 'brilliant' will come to mind. It is by designer Robins Pickens and the collection is called Cottage Bleu. There is a quote on the selvedge which says "How calmly blue soothes and sings softly in the sky". Yes indeedy, this gal whose heart is forever blue certainly thinks so.





Fingers crossed I won't disembark from the blogging train for such a long time again, but you never know with me, as I do tend to wander off for a little while. As it is Sunday today, this blogging train is pulling into Kathy's station, picking up all the other ladies who are stitching slowly as we all chugg along. Conversation, a little slow hand stitching and a little enjoyment of the countryside swooshing by, as the steel wheels swish on the steel rails beneath. For me, stitching bias strips, skipping up, down....and up again.



Oh....I forgot to say, those of you who were following my little blog via email, I am afraid I have taken this gadget from my blog. I am still investigating other options. Some of the emails I have been receiving from other bloggers seem to come with a lot of advertising, so as I don't particularly want you to receive all the adds I will wait a while. I will ponder my belly button re this subject for a little while.  If you still want to follow me and read my ramblings each time you can do so by clicking on the 'Follow Me with Bloglovin' link at the top of the page. But then, if you do follow me via email, then I suppose you won't be reading this......oh well. =)

Anyway, thank you for visiting my little place after all this time. It is a joy to have you visit; it really, really is❣ Thank you so much you lovely lovelies who emailed me through this last little while to see if I was okay❣ Beautiful friends, whom although we have never met and probably never will this side of heaven, I consider precious kindred spirits❣ All is well, down here at the bottom of the world. May you enjoy a beautiful Sunday. It has has been a rather chilly one here....but there is a spring to my step as the garden is beginning to come to life whispering to me that my favourite season is thinking about it's arrival on my front doorstep and rat-a-tat-tat on my bright pink, front door. So, so excited❣


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






54 comments:

  1. It's good to hear from you again. Your newest stitching project is coming along well, stitching down all the bias does take a lot of time but it is certainly worth it. I look forward to seeing what you stitch with your new fabrics and I like the white of the new to your cupboards. I always think white looks so crisp and clean, happy stitching, or in this case, happy painting!

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  2. I miss you so much.
    Please continue in the blog train, with those beautiful and inspiring pictures.
    Hope you have a wonderful new week. Hugs

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  3. I love the cabinet where you have stored your fabrics. Now I know what to put in the glass door hutch in my daughter's room that is to become my sewing room. This math teacher takes exception with "boring calculus". I would agree that algebra becomes boring as I have been teaching it for many years. =). Stay warm and enjoy your painting and organizing. Great things to do in winter.

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  4. I am so glad you are back! I, too would want the cupboards painted. The neatness of your fabric astounds me!

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  5. It is always so nice to read his blog, he is very witty and his fabrics are so bright.
    Have a great week, regards.

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  6. Good morning from Canada where my garden is blooming in all its glory! Your garden, it seems, is inside your house these days with all those lovely floral fabrics! Glad to see you back on the blogging train.

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  7. So glad to see you back again, Kim, with a lovely post and beautiful fabric eye candy for all of us! I love those pretty florals you have such a knack for using. Now I'm singing, "I love the flower girl" again! Your new cabinets sound pretty and useful, too.

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  8. Well there is wood, and than there is something which just shouts for some lovely light (white or grey in my case) paint. Everything gets painted in my house, one needs to bring some light in, specially in winter. That's is what Scandinavians do and if it works for them....they know all about short winter days.
    Like you, I seem to miss the blogging train more and more often - I speak when I have something to say, I have no desire to live my life online; does that sound condescending? Possibly, but I know that there are many people who like to "tell all".
    I love your display of fabrics! My idea of heaven!
    Flowers in Her Hair is looking gorgeous, look forward to seeing more.
    Keep warm! xx

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  9. Love the train metaphor! We are slowing chugging along :)
    Love the bias project you are stitching!
    And all the photographs are gorgeous... delicious eye candy on this blog train!

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  10. Glad to have you back, Kim! Obviously, you have had your hands full during your blog-leave! I always love taking a peek into your sewing room, and will be lying if I say that I didn't drool over those lovely pieces of stashed fabric and the cabinets! I wouldn't have passed a cupboard if it was offered to me as well! Cannot wait to see yours. I think grey would just be lovely with all those flower-specked fabric you have. Wishing you a lovely Sunday!! Hugs!

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  11. Well, I did notice your absence, but know you have taken occasional pauses before, so I expected you would return. It is always such a treat to see your flowers, whether on fabric or in the garden. I did still receive this post by email, so apparently Google has not yet pulled the plug on Feedburner, though since the end of July is fast approaching, the end is undoubtedly near. So I'll add you to my bloglovin' list, Although I don't find that service as convenient as the direct email. But we'll all adapt eventually, as there doesn't anything we can do about it. I'm sure your reorganizing will make your space much more enjoyable.
    Pat

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  12. Oh, dear, I must add a correction. I came over to the blog with the link from Slow Stitching Sunday not from an email, which usually doesn't show in my inbox until Monday, our time.
    Pat

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  13. Such beautiful fabrics at every turn of the eye and now new cupboards to have them stored and easy to see. Love your wonderful quilts

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  14. Another beautiful post with beautiful pictures! Loved it!

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  15. I'm with you liven up your new cupboard with a lick of paint!. Love your new fabric but I'm a hydrangea fan, my plants are looking fabulous this year! Have a good week tucked up watching the Olympics!

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  16. Hello Kim, Glad you are all aboard the blogging train with a stop at Kathy’s Slow Stitching. Winter is a good time to go through one’s stash. All the flowery fabrics are so cheerful. Certainly, reorganizing them while Jack Frost is in the area will help pass the time until he leaves. Keep chugging along on the bias strips - a worthwhile endeavor.

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  17. I am glad to see you here. Gorgeous quilt and fabrics.What adorable flowers and pretty pitcher!Have a lovely week ahead.My winter days have been sunny and pleasant,with beautiful sunsets and breathtaking moon. God is good. Hugs,dear Kim.

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    1. Your winter days sound rather wonderful, Maristella. Warm sunshine in winter is a most beautiful thing. It causes Jack Frost to flee. =) Indeed, God is very good❣ Have a beautiful week, beautiful lady❣ Kim Xx

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  18. Holaaaaaaa Kim
    tenía muchas ganas de volver a leerte y sobre todo de ver tus coloridas y maravillosas fotos.
    Me alegra saber que estás bien y es estupendo ordenar nuestras "cosas imprescindibles".......... yo también estoy en plan "limpieza"
    Muchos BESICOS.

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  19. I had noticed you had been rather quiet on the blogging front too, so pleased there was nothing serious to cause this. So nice to have you back and read your happy words again, and admire your gorgeous photos. I certainly admire your glass fronted cabinet with all that beautiful fabric folded up so neatly I sure!

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  20. I have missed your lovely posts but so glad that all has been well and you have been keeping busy. Reorganizing and tending to countless chores is always good. Such beautiful fabrics that you have added to your lovely collection and I can only imagine the beauties you will create. Have a blessed day, Kim

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  21. Lovely to see you back and read your wonderful post. I much enjoyed your words and a glimpse into your sewing room. How lovely to sit there with a cuppa surrounded by all those beautiful fabrics and that view out the window. Your Flowers quilt is coming along beautifully. Now that song js back in my brain 🙃🙂

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  22. Mm... all those beautiful fabrics! Oh, I hear your about reformatting old posts that suddenly don't look right. That and searching for broken links - I spend too much time on old posts. I hated follow.it's ads. The mailchimp/awebber stuff is overkill for what we're looking for, but look a lot better. I love finished wood, but sometimes it just needs paint. I'll forgive you. ;-) Good to see you again!

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  23. Your fabric collection is certainly lovely! I have many of them on my shelves as well. Your curtain is lovely - great idea!

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  24. So nice to get some new cupboards to store your treasures, I think painting in a nice bright color is nice. Love your quilted curtain. It is nice to go through our things and see what all we have, those treasures we have forgotten because the newer goodies have taken their place.
    Good to hear your weather hasn't been too bad.
    I like how you added the tabs at the top of the blog, I have wanted to do that too but have no idea what I am doing on my blog, no idea how to even do my own headers or anything.
    Your new fabric is lovely, I know you will make something wonderful with it :)

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  25. So the weather report last night mentioned snow to 300metres in Tassie. I had visions of you singing all the Frozen songs. It’s always a treat to read your posts and see the beautiful fabrics and objects that adorn your home.

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  26. Oh, I can so relate to this post! One of my blogging friends posts every day. I wonder how she does it. That blogging train that passes my way is an express and, living in a small town, I have to wait for the local. I love your neat piles of fabric. I have so much floral prints but since they were "gifted:, they are not such lovely colors. Mine are also sorted by color, but in stacking bins. Anything on a shelf here would be covered in dust bunnies at the end of the week.

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  27. Hi Kim
    You certainly have been busy. Have missed your blog with all the pretty photos. Your new quilt is beautiful. Can’t wait to see what you make with your new fabric.
    Best wishes Kay c x

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    1. Hello lovely Kay, I have indeed been busy...a little too busy. =) I need more hours in my day. Thank you for your beautiful visit and kind words. Have a great week. Hope you are enjoying your summer days. Kim Xx

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  28. Dearest Kim
    I so love your collection of fabrics in all the shades of blue, it's the colour I do prefer, that of the sky and of the sea!
    And what a cozy corner with the fire on, here in Italy we're fighting with such hot days... I don't love Summer so much, and this year it's terrible to stand!
    Enjoy the warmth of your nest, Sweetie!
    Dany

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  29. I LOVE your painted cupboard!! Oh my goodness, does it ever look fabulous and so happy in your room storing beautiful fabrics. You have organized your fabrics so prettily. It looks like a fabric rainbow. You have such patience, Kim, in stitching all that bias. I must mention that your darling lady vase and your pretty teacup made me smile. May Spring come early to your pretty pink door!

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  30. Your pictures are lovely today, love that pitcher with the purple flowers. Sometimes we all need a break. Stay warm and enjoy your sewing. I do follow with Bloglovin, and it works well.

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  31. It's so lovely to read your post and see all the beautiful photos I have missed your posts but yes I know how it is, I tend to disappear too, I hate to be regimented to a regular thing if there's something to say and I have the time then I will blog about it. How lovely to acquire new cupboards and you must make them to suit your taste who cares about what others think, your fabrics look so much at home nestled on the shelves. I am impressed that you are tidying up your blog too, I will be back shortly to have a nosey and to read this delightful post once again. xx

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  32. Beautiful hydrangea fabrics. I love your new cupboard and it looks stunning with all your gorgeous fabrics in. Great makeover. I love to see the grain of wood but there are times when it is not appropriate and your cupboards prove this! Well, it has been a funny old summer weatherwise here. Apart from a couple of short, hot blasts it has been much cooler and wetter than we have known for many years, and we still have green grass, usually unheard of at this time of year. Well, I for one am not complaining - the cooler temperatures suit me much better. Thank you for once again brightening my day with all your stunning photographs. xx

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  33. You do such a wonderful job of bringing your beautiful flowers indoors during the winter months. As our days start shortening here, I know you are looking forward to your garden days ahead.

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  34. It was a happy surprise to find your blog post in my email, so rest assured that some of us are still getting your blog posts this way. I have you in my yahoo account, although I don't know if that makes any difference.
    All of your fabrics and display photos were beautiful. I'm wondering if you could include a photo of your pink front door sometime. I haven't been following you that long, so I haven't seen it, and I'm intrigued.
    Juliana in Detroit, Michigan, USA

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    1. Juliana, I have a feeling the emails will cease at the end of July. As for my bright pink front door, I will most certainly include a photo of it in the near future. Thank you for visiting my little place. Your visit has put many a smile into my day. Kim Xx

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  35. Dear Kim, just do what you want and paint it lustily and gracefully on the cupboard.
    The fabric with the hydrangeas is really beautiful, I know you're going to make something fantastic out of it. You have so many nice fabrics, a closet full, you can enjoy them for years to come.

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    1. Loes, I don't know I have enough years left to fashion pretties from all my fabrics. =) But.....I will enjoy looking through the glass and seeing them all happily bunched together, in the cupboard. They all truly do make me smile. Just a little aside, I have a feeling that when I 'drop off the perch' my daughters will come along, throw open the doors to the public and say "take what you want"!! A true story.....I was having a candlelit dinner with my two daughters once (in the parlour); one of them said to the other, whilst sweeping the room with her glance, "you know we will have to get rid of all this 'crap' when she's gone"!! The three of us still laugh about that comment to this very day. Thus, one of the reasons I have begun to cull. As for painting my furniture "lustily and gracefully"....now that I have your permission....I most certainly will. =) Your visit and words have made me smile this day. Have a great week, lovely Loes. Kim Xx

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  36. Beauty all around when I visit your blog, Kim! I am a blogger of your style - when I feel I have something to show and/or say, and only if I feel like putting it together. Your projects are good winter pastimes. I went to a farm estate sale last week which you would have loved - boxes and boxes of fat quarters to be had by someone like you! I switched to Mailchimp (free service) for blog delivery, converted very inexpensively by Linda from LifeandLinda.com You may want to consult with her, she has converted so many! I noticed Feedburner's solution with follow.it does send lots of garbage advertising with its usage. Sending warm vibes down under to you. We are have a sweltering day today, I do believe our hottest yet. My windows were full of condensation when I got up this morning. It was 68°F inside, 73°F outside at 6am!

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  37. I'm getting your wonderful posts via blogger so I assume it is blog lovin' . Everything looks so delicious. We have had so much heat here, I have been organinzing a lot of stuff in my craft shop and pondering some major changes to make it a display workroom, with storage in the next room. We will see if that comes to fruition...and your fabrics are gorgeous...and that quilt is a stunner, can't imagine stitching that edging...YIKES! Sandi

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    1. Sandi, the bias strips are taking a while but they are nearly done. I must say my needle-pricked fingers are nearly done, too. =) I like the idea of your craft shop becoming a display workroom. As for your "so much heat" you can send it down here to me if you like. =) Kim Xx

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  38. Hi Kim, it's so great to hear from you. I'm glad that things are going well, although I'm glad that you are painting and stitching bias binding...cause I wouldn't want it to be me :-) I'm now using MailChimp and it's working really well. If you don't have tons of posts then it's free...and there is no advertising! Take care.

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  39. Beautiful, beautiful pictures! With so much color around no winter is terrible :) And with such fabulous curtains any view is gorgeous! And that Hydrangea Lady... aww... And thousands and thousands more wonderful details to look at and admire :)
    As far as blogging is concerned I think everybody should just go with their own pace and do what they want/like to do. There is real life outside after all :)

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    1. Alina, as winter is bare and rather drab, with no sight of a flower, I need flowers on fabric to smother me in my sewing room. =) And....I think I have achieved just that with my cupboard burgeoning with bright and happy flowery fabrics. =) Isn't my Hydrangea Lady sweet? I cannot wait till she is sporting fresh hydrangeas for her hair. Bring on summer! Bring on all the gorgeous hydrangeas! =) Thank you for your sweet visit. Kim Xx

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  40. Just stunning photos again Kim - I love your new cupboard/shelves & your fabrics look so pretty sitting there -I think I would just pull up a chair & sit & gaze at the fabrics. Your new blue range of fabrics is beautiful too ... you will enjoy creating something pretty with those I am sure. xx

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  41. Kim - welcome back! I was starting to worry, a tiny bit! As someone who lives in a log house, it may seem strange to say that there is such a thing as too much wood, but it's true. Contrast is important, so no complaints from me that you put paint on wood! I have noticed the same issue with past blog posts, but at the moment I am not willing to spare the time to fix them. Maybe when Old Man Winter comes! Love your new fabrics!

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  42. Welcome back! The cupboard looks so lively with all the neatly folded beautiful fabric and it was wonderful to see your wip alongside the sweet tea set. I can easily imagine you sitting there working away.

    -Soma

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  43. there are so many wonderful things i happen to love about all of of your "crap"!! your fabrics are so pretty, and i can tell you picked out all of them...as they have a "kim" tone to them!!

    your rooms are so cozy and welcoming, who doesn't love a fire in the fireplace?!?!

    it has been so hot here, i can't wait for fall and winter!!

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  44. Sometimes wood needs painting. The baseboards were painted when I moved in, and I have been painting them, and then I got carried away and painted the kitchen cabinets too. Both the quilts you are working on - the curvy ones with an edge and the straight squares in the window are so intriguing!

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  45. Welcome back to blogland and so nice to see your beautiful fabrics. Just a delight. Your cabinets are perfect to showcase them all. Some pieces of furniture do call out for paint and brightening up. I can relate to time going by and not being a regular blogger - I try to manage once a month these days. Life just takes over sometimes. I let my email gadget go, too, and I worried about it, but I just didn't get around to figuring out how to save it. I suppose if people want to follow, they will find a way without it, right? Blogger is always messing with us :) I hope your cold winter days go by fast and then we here in the Northern hemisphere can enjoy your beautiful spring just as we will be sliding into winter. One good thing about changing seasons - you get to look forward to something new. It is so hot here and dry and I know it is a travesty to say I am looking forward to the cooler seasons, but I am. Love seeing your beautiful quilts and reading your chatty post. It's such a lovely visit with a friend. Hugs xo K

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  46. (I thought I had commented on this post already, but obviously I was in la-la land once again!). Glad you're back blogging because I missed you! And missed seeing your wonderful pretties too. And oh, that hydrangea fabric is so beyond luscious! I can't wait to see what you create with it. Being able to peek inside your cupboards and see all those colourful fabrics made my heart flutter just a tiny bit but then I remembered that I don't need yet another obsession!

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  47. Thankfully my husband loves wood furniture with a lick of paint on it, too. Painted furniture lightens a room, and as you say, it is fun. Yes, little holidays from the internet is a very good thing. I know I feel refreshed when I take a break from it. Thank you for your lovely visit. Kim Xx

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