Sunday, July 3, 2022

New Beginnings♡



Hello lovely lovelies♡ A Sunday morning hug to you♡ I hope this week has been kind to you♡ My week?? It passed  quickly....again. Another month blew by and another is just settling in for a while. July. Cosy sleep ins, and with quilts wrapped around me enjoying morning cuppas, joying in the misty mornings unveiling as the dawn breaks. Those winter mornings of mist-cloaked landscapes are a delight to the senses. I am reminded that winter days are filled with loveliness, even if they do chill my bones. Though, with misty, winter mornings aside, I do hope winter gets a hurry on.

This week?? After the previous two weeks of being completely absorbed with the border of Skipping Around The Garden Path, I longed for a more relaxed week. And relaxed it was; well mostly. It was a week where I happily chatted with my daughter who lives in San Fransisco, on my computer, no less. Thank goodness for modern technology. It has been so important these last four years to keep up to speed with my daughters, seeing them and chatting if only through a virtual screen. Counting down the days I will be able to hug my daughters in person, in one of those never-let-go-hugs, but I will chat about that another time.

It was a week where there were sad conversations with friends who are wading through very deep waters; where one or two of God's miracles would not be amiss. Life......the happy times filled with simplicity and joy......the complex times filled with struggles and sadness. As I always say sadness and happiness.....joys; are forever constant companions.

It was a week where there were new beginnings. New beginnings of designing and stitching new pretties. With my Skipping Around The Garden Path neatly folded and put aside in readiness for quilting, and the hand quilting of Hydrangea Cobblestones slowly inching along, some new pretties were imagined. A new beginning of a bag, just because I need a new one (not) and a small quilt which will be a table topper. When I say I don't need a new bag, well I kinda do. I am in need of a blue and green one. =) I am that gal who loves the choice of a a variety of  bags, co-ordinating with different outfits. No black or brown bag, which goes with everything for me. Besides, as I have all the pretties here in my humble abode needed to make a bag, it doesn't seem extravagant. I am lessening my supplies, one little bag at a time. Though, I fear I would have to fashion hundreds of bags to  make a dent in my Aladdin's cave of pretties. Oh okay, truth be told, I just wanted to play with all my pretty fripperies; again.

You know the story; the making of my bags' story, for you have read it ad nauseum when you visit my little place. Once again I played with vintage coverlets, old tapestries,  pretty laces, doilies, french ribbons, tiny crochet flowers snipped from snippets of doilies. My fingers playing with pretty ribbons, curling and twirling, folding and coaxing into an eye pleasing arrangement. With my fingers  slowly stitching all the pretties, enjoying my days, thinking upon my family, my friends, the books I have finished reading etc etc....and at times nothing much at all, really. It's amazing how at times my head can be filled with nothingness. 

For this bag I chose a sweet tapestry of a little cottage being hugged by blossom trees; nestled behind a hedge of a garden of green, floral lace which once served as a blouse;  with an assortment of flowers dotted here and there. The ubiquitous ribbon, too, threaded through a buckle, weaving its way around the tapestry; framing it. Throughout this week, sitting in my sewing room bathed in sunshine; has been so calming, so soothing.






The beginnings of a new quilt was enjoyed as well. A quilt which will be a table topper though of course it could grow exponentially. A few years ago I purchased a couple of  Moda charm squares and a jelly roll with the name Cheeky. Pretty fabrics in pinks, reds, greens, blues and yellows with patterns depicting flowers and spots throughout.





I finished the book The Dressmakers of Auschwitz. A deeply moving and powerful account of a group of women who survived by sewing in Auschwitz. I have read numerous books  about the Holocaust but this one opened my eyes even more. With each new graphic account I am even more horrified of the evil which humans (I use the term 'human' very loosely) perpetuated. Another book I read is written by Philip Yancey. Where The Light Falls is a moving memoir of his sad and tragic childhood and teen years in a fundamentalist, conservative church in the south of America during the 1950's and 60's. Oh my goodness, some of the  unbending ideologies that were purported are unbelievable. When I read of his accounts and memories I wonder as to how he grew up to be the free thinking  man of grace he is today. A fascinating and gripping memoir with not only sad and tragic reflections but pages punctuated with his humour. His droll sense of humour tickled my funny bone. I have read a few of his books and much of what he has to say about Christian truths resonates with me. I read it in a day and couldn't go to bed until I read the last written word.  It was  in the wee hours of the morning when I finally switched off the light. I am still reading and enjoying Home Sweet Home. I pick up this beautiful book randomly, joying in each page, each lovely photo and the lyrical words. This book is not one to be rushed but is meant to be savored and appreciated at a snail's pace.


A recent op shop find. A sweet, little, glass jug♡ Of course it had to come home with me. Love the little swan floating across the jug♡ I am dreaming of the days when I can replace the pretty fripperies with a lovely bunch of spring-filled bluebells♡

Thank you for gracing my day with your beautiful visit♡ It is another sun-drenched day where later on I will find a sunny nook and let the sunbeams work their magic. A little nook to enjoy a little reading as I have a growing pile of books to whittle down. A little sunny nook to sit and ruche a length of ribbon into a flower, and coerce some french wired ribbon into leaves. These will adorn the flap of the bag. Perhaps this evening I will enjoy more hand quilting of Hydrangea Cobblestones, too. The needle slowly inching it's way along the path of the fluttering butterflies. Some gentle, meditative hand quilting. Doesn't that sound like just the thing for a relaxing Sunday?? Bye for now. This week the aim is to finish the bag. May your week be blessed with touches of love and kindness; and sprinkles of beauty♡ Have a lovely day, lovely lovelies♡

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





FrédériqueLinking up this week to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching
and Frédérique's, Quilting, Patching Applique


38 comments:

  1. It looks to me that you need to find an outfit to go with your bags. Your creativity is mindboggling. Thank you for entertaining us with your lovely amazing fabric and floral arrangements. I love them.

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  2. Hi Kim
    Love your new bag. You can never have to many pretty bags.
    Your red fabrics are so pretty, especially love your caravan tea pot.
    Have a great week.
    Best wishes Kay c XX

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    1. Hello lovely Kay♡ So agree with you that one can never have too many pretty bags. Isn't the caravan teapot cute?? I would rather love a real caravan in which to travel around the countryside, just like the teapot. =)

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  3. Your bag is looking gorgeous - I do love that colour palette. And so completely different to Cheeky which I can see is going to be such a fun cloth. Enjoy your week. xx

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  4. My sweet word! That bag is straight out of a fairy tale! Thank you for the inspiration Kim! I've been keeping a couple of my teenage (gobelin) projects and would love to turn them into bags :)

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  5. Ah Kim you always make my day I love visiting your place of creativity and beauty it lightens the heart and spirit. That bag is amazing and I spied some very pretty crochet flowers how lovely they look. The fabrics for the table topper are so pretty it must be a pleasure to play with them. I have a friend who is visiting Poland and she sent me photos of Auschwitz, I could feel the atmosphere from here, so unbearably sad, words just can't describe it. Home sweet home is hard to find but I will keep a look out for it and other books by the same author. Have a lovely Sunday. xx

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  6. Gorgeous new blue/green bag you've constructed...just lovely work on this one...
    I like your new quilt blocks--the fabrics are so light hearted and cheerful--really nice to work with...hope your week goes well...hugs, Julierose

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  7. Beautiful. I especially love your swan pitcher overflowing with blue textile goodies. And the rick rack clothes line! Your bag has a good start. It looks like it's almost there! I read the Dressmakers of A. also. Chilling. Oh, I could look at your lovely photos all day long!!!

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  8. OWO a new beauty, your criativity is amazing.
    And those blocks are a promise of a beautiful table topper under progress.
    Have a great week Kim.

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  9. Oh my what a beautiful bag. You do have a wonderful talent..

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  10. That bag is so pretty. I love the tapestry that you chose for it and the surrounding fabric and embellishments. Those new fabrics for the table topper are fantastic. They are so bright and cheery. Perfect fabrics to work with during the winter.

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  11. What a pleasure dear Kim to be a part of the creation of your beautiful bag.
    Masterly.
    I am happy for you.
    Happy Sunday and many warm greetings from the sun-kissed Viola... the roses are blooming in the garden. And when we have winter, I will enjoy your summer.
    Hug - many :-))))

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    1. Hello "sun-kissed" Viola♡ The sun is kissing me, too, today but alas it is a chillier one than is looking down upon you at the moment. Your summer garden does sound lovely. I can just imagine all the pretty summer flowers. Enjoy your summer days, lovely Viola. Kim Xx

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  12. do you make all those ribbon roses yourself? you have so many "fripperies" I collect none of that and make no bags - it looks like you are whipping that one up in no time - and it is so original! I read the Auschwitz books and it is chilling what the people in WWII went through in Europe I read a lot of those books of history and still to this day wonder how it happened and then see how rights are being taking away from some people in the US and wonder if that was how it starting - people believing a mad man

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  13. Another pretty bag underway! You would never know it is winter in your neck of the woods with all those flowery fabrics. Your pictures say « spring » to me! Your new table topper is going to be lovely. Gail at the Cozy Quilter.

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  14. What a pretty bag! I love that you filled the pitcher with your stitching supplies!

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  15. Gorgeous bag with lovely details, Kim ! You are pretty good in mixing textures, fabrics and colors !
    My son in here for a few days (he lives in London) and I'm like you.. a "never-let-go-hugs" and kisses...
    Love red in kitchen and you have a lovely collection in fabric and china !
    Just ended "the evening and the morning" from Ken Follett...
    Read some books about the Holocaust years ago but with the actual situation in Ukraine, I avoid those kind of books...
    Have a lovely and cozy week !
    Hug
    Anna

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  16. Your bags amaze me! It must be so fun to pull out all your trims and decide on which to use. Thanks for the book reviews too. I am always looking for good books to read.

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  17. Oh my, but your newest bag is gorgeous! I just love the colors of the fabric, laces and tapestry. Seeing how your display your fabrics for your newest quilt is fun, too. :) Thank you for the book recommendations.

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  18. I love your bag, in my colors too! Oh how I would like to come and ruffle through your pretties! We are a bit cooler today, 62 right now, not getting up to higher temps till later in the day. I'm going to go work in the yard for awhile today before I do my slow stitching. Thank you for another delightful visit Kim!

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  19. A new bag is always fun! You have a way with those, Kim. And I think Cheeky will take to Spring - at least in your sewing room! Such pretty fabric. Interesting books, too. I think I have the dressmakers book on my list to read.

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  20. Fun to see your projects come together. I hate changing purses typically only do once or twice a year. I never know where things are when I change purses which annoys me. I'm making a note of The Dressmakers of Aushwitz, as I read so many WWII books. I've read The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and the follow up book to it.

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  21. It's wonderful people can stay connected via modern technology. I hope you will see your family sooner rather than later. Your friends are fortunate to have you along side to wade through deep waters. The charming needlepoint cottage would be hard to resist into making it into something special and functional specifically with vintage embellishments. Bright and cheery fabrics for your next quilt. Enjoy the process.

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  22. The bag is just beautiful, and the new quilt in progress from Cheeky fabrics are so bright and cheery. Love the new jug, which reminds me I bought a little pitcher last week I need to post to my blog.

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  23. Your new projects are delightful as always. I would have snapped up that swan jug myself, although where I would put it is a good question. So much sadness, horror, mistrust and ignorance going on in the world each day. One must strive to find goodness and light to balance the gloom.
    Pat

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  24. Dear Kim, I enjoyed the tantalising photos of the creation of your bag, adding this bit and that, ribbons and flowers as the pretty bag evolved. Your new quilt project is coming along well, those little blocks shout out Sping and Sunshine to me. And what is that I spy in your photos, the cutest little red caravan tea pot! It's always a pleasure to read your blog. Unfortunately like you, I am feeling the effects of friends going through hard times, we just have to be there for them.

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  25. Gorgeous colors you are working with both in your bag and the new table quilt.

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  26. I always love your creative process with ribbons and needlepoint. Fun fabrics that you're working with now. Struggles are a pain to go through, but it makes me appreciate the joys!

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  27. Lovely post from you Kim, full of beautiful creations and wonderful photos. You are very clever putting the fabrics and notions together for the bag. Your new fabric is very pretty, love the little teapot too.

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  28. Oh my Kim the way that you framed that lovely tapestry with the ribbons and laces is just wonderful, I have a few cross-stitches that I have done and never had them framed, I wonder if I should try something like that, I am sure I would make a mess out of it, LOL!
    I love the pinks and greens that you are playing with for your table topper, just beautiful, my favorite combination!
    I have not been a big book reader for a few years now, other things take up my time and I just end up falling asleep if I try to read. Sounds like you found some interesting books to read.

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  29. Ooooh my that new bag...I’m swooning over it with the adorable cottage scene! 💕 your newest sewing project with the cheeky fabrics is so cute! I’m also crazy about that darling teapot. Oh my word!! Fun!! Your books sound really good. Have you ever read Sarah’s Keys? You probably have, but it was a great one. Happy stitching!

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  30. Have I already told you how much I love your vintage Bernina???!!! It is just beautiful, as is the bag and all your photos! Love the fabrics in the new quilt you have started, and I am sure I have a similar strawberry table topper somewhere :) Thanks for sharing your lovely days with us! xx

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  31. I woke up today with you on my mind because it has been SO very long since I have visited here. I do not receive your blog by email anymore so I have to go to my very old blog to find you on my favorite blog list. I started my day with you and just love that you are still here, still delighting us with your wit and beautiful pictures. I have missed you! As always, your stash of fabrics and ribbons and pretties is so beautiful!

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  32. I adored your dancing Pentagon quilt top. You did an amazing job on getting them all to behave perfectly. This new project is going to be another stunner. Vibrant colours to have in your hands. Love all these pretty photos too!

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  33. Gorgeous fripperies, I say. Your creativity in the bags is perfectly wonderful. Isn't it grand that we can start a 'new' project. I do so need to work on UFOs but starting a new project is always exciting. I love that you can use bits and pieces and discards and make something exquisite. Keep on making us happy with your thoughts, words, and photos. :)

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  34. I love that sewing basket overflowing with laces Kim. Your bag is lovely.The fabrics for your new quilt are so pretty. I'm looking forward to seeing the quilt. xx

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  35. El resultado exitoso de tu bolso está garantizado con tantos y tantos tesoros que tienes y ésas telitas en rosas y rojos hummmmmm....... BESICOS.

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  36. aaaah - blue....my favourite colour! Of course you know I will like your new bag.
    And what fun to see a new quilted creation emerging from your clever hands. The colours will be a great antidote to the dullness of the winter months for you.

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