Sunday, January 15, 2023

Summer Colours




Hello lovely lovelies♡ A lovely summery welcome to my little place♡ 'Tis early Sunday morning and the sun is smiling radiant sunbeams upon me♡ Summer♡ The very word exhilarates all my senses. I am a summer girl. Always have been really. The warmth, the easy living days, the wide, blue skies, the myriad of flowers; the summer colours. Yes indeed, I could cope having every day of the year as summer. Though I must admit summer here has been a bit all over the place this year. A few hot days, but mostly it has been rather cool. On a brighter note, this week has been lovely and hot so perhaps summer has finally come and will keep on keeping on.

The garden has been delightful over the last six weeks. Glorious colours abound. Now that the days are becoming warmer the flowers are getting a hurry on. All the blooms are doing their thing; and I must say, beautifully so. For weeks now, to get my daily fix of flowers I have been picking sweet peas and roses every day. Vases of these sweetly, fragranced flowers have been dotted around my home. Such a joy. Flowers are my therapy......both in the garden and on fabric. The buddleia trees have been beautiful as well; the fragrance divine.  The purple and crimson, large, cone-shaped flowers have been striking. The heady mix of the scents of roses, sweet peas and buddleias have been intoxicating.

Early in the mornings, strolling in the garden, pulling out weeds as I go, picking a flower here and there, taking time to sit a while; gathering my thoughts and imagination; I never fail to be inspired by the summery colours and nuanced hues as the dawn sometimes sprinkles a cloak of mist everywhere. A garden wrapped in early morning mist before it disappears to reveal a sunny, blue summer sky is a picture. I need my daily fix of flowers. I need to seek out those quiet, early morning moments. The pinks, purples and reds of the sweet peas, the yellows and pinks of the roses, the purples and crimsons of the buddleias, the blues and pink's of the hydrangeas.......all delight the eyes. The dahlias and gladdies are just about to bloom; while it will be a while yet for the happy cosmos to begin to think about flowering. With summer being a bit late it seems they have been in no hurry to appear. But that's okay, it just means they will add happy colour when the other flowers are past their beauty.

With each day Pete is recovering from his knee replacement surgery and as I have been busy attending to him and doing other activities not a lot of stitching has been done. Though, I prepared the backing for my Crazy Flowers quilt. Nothing fancy. I used some mauve Kona fabric that I had, and because I didn't have enough, I stitched a panel to join the mauve fabric together using a variety of fabrics in a crazy panel. Over the next couple of weeks I will begin to quilt it. Hand quilting or machine quilting?? Don't really know; though the thought of quick machine quilting sounds pleasing. I can't remember when I last machine-quilted a quilt. 

Because I have been busy and not a lot of time to sit at my sewing machine, I felt the desire to enjoy some EPP. I wanted to make some colourful and happy flower hexies. For no other reason than I wanted to play with fabrics; and play with hexies. No thinking; just playing. After all, playing with hexies is my happy place. A mosaic of hexie flowers perhaps. I don't want a green fabric dotted here and there among the flowers, but I chose a muted fabric from my stash called Flights of Fancy by Momo for Moda. I bought this fabric for the butterflies which I appliqued to my quilt A Stroll In Pete's Garden. I love the painterly look of the grass and flowers. It evokes a soft, impressionistic look among the bright hexies. I just hope I have enough fabric. =) Of course if I don't, not to worry; as there is no definite design in my muddly head at the moment. Speaking about fabrics,  I bought a few lovely fabrics when I was in Melbourne. They are Botanical by Snow Leopard Designs for Free Spirit. I love the vivid colour combinations; purples with a gorgeous orange background, and yellow and pinks against a background of blue. The violet flower pattern is stunning. I just wish I bought more.

Let us, you and I, wander through a glut of happy snaps. Perhaps they will sprinkle a little summer colour to your day. I know they will mine. =)












A week playing with flowers, fabric and hexies♡ Me thinks, as it is Sunday, I might join in the fun over at Kathy's place; play with a few more hexies, stitching a few more hexie flowers♡ Have a lovely week, lovely lovelies♡ My prayer for you and me, this week, is that you, and I; enjoy moments of beauty sprinkled among the ordinary of our day♡ Much love to you♡

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






40 comments:

  1. oh what beautiful color first the pretty purples then roses of all shades and then beautiful hexies - what a colorful spot your blog is today

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  2. Love the color of those snapdragons--so pretty...beautiful snaps of your flowering garden...we are pretty gray here--no sun for the past week...
    but my Fabric Roll provides some flowery respite...hugs, Julierose

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  3. The flowers are so lovely, thanks for the color! I love your hexies, they are so cute with the fussycut flowers. Happy stitching!

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  4. Thanks for sharing all your very beautiful colourful flowers and fabrics. I need this today after shovelling snow. We had a storm that dumped 12 inches of that white stuff on us. What a treat to see your blog.

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    1. Oh dear, Thelma, shovelling 12 inches of snow sounds freezing. My mind boggles at the thought of it. I'm afraid I would perish if I lived in your little part of the world. Of course your white, winter world sounds beautiful, but just a wee bit chilly for me. The word frostbite comes to my mind! =) I will just keep beaming summery, flowery happy snaps to you, shall I?? As ever, thank you for your sweet visit. Kim Xx

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  5. Amazing pictures. Have a lovely week ahead. Blessings.

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    1. Thank you so much, lovely Maristella. You have an amazing week, too. Kim Xx

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  6. Gosh how beautiful it all looks Kim. You have buddleia's in the most glorious colours. And are your sweet peas still flowering?? I have pulled mine out today as they had gone to seed. So much prettiness in your world. I wish I loved summer but unfortunately I much prefer the "in between seasons" - autumn & spring. Pleased to read that your husband is recovering well from his knee surgery. xx

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  7. I do believe I am a summer girl as well. How wonderful to be able to spend time in your gardens enjoying its beauty and the bounty of ya'll's hard work. The flowers that you have picked are so lovely as are the flowers that you are piecing. Have a wonderful weekend, Kim and wishing your husband a speedy recovery.

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  8. It’s 2:30 am here in Michigan, USA. I can’t sleep. I am in too much pain. But your lovely photos have blessed my sleepless night. Thank you.

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    1. I am deeply humbled as I read your words♡ To think that in some small way my photos have blessed you through your difficult night has moved me profoundly♡ I wish I lived near you, as I would knock on your door and gift you a beautiful bunch of flowers from my garden; and give you a big hug♡ Thank you so much for your beautiful visit. Your visit and words are such a beautiful gift to me♡ Kim Xx

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  9. Your beautiful images take my breath away. Summer has blessed you with an abundance of blooms.

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  10. So many beautiful flowers ! So many shapes and colors !
    So many beautiful hexies ! And lovely pictures !!!!
    Have a shinny week ! Rain almost every day here...
    Hug
    Anna

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  11. Except for a few bitterly cold days around Christmas and today, we haven't had wintery weather here yet. I like all the seasons and do enjoy at least one snow storm in winter. I hope Pete's recovery is going well. You have been very busy making all those gorgeous hexie flowers. You have so many beautiful fabrics. Enjoy your stitching and hopefully some warm, sunny Summer days.

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  12. I love how you fussy cut the petals on the hexie flowers! I’m surprised there are any flowers left in your garden after you pick some to bring inside. You must have a large garden, filled with gorgeous blooms! The colours are so vibrant! No snow here, but cold at the moment. Excellent weather for sewing! I do get out a couple of times a day for a walk, bundled up to stay warm, of course. Enjoy your stitching. Hello to Pete! Gail at the cozy quilter.

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  13. Hello, dear lady! Your post notices haven’t been showing up in my email and I just popped by to see if you’ve been sharing anything lately. It sounds like you had a lovely, lovely time visiting with your daughter and it sounds like your husband’s knee surgery is healing well. All delightful updates! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous blooms with us in the frozen northern hemisphere! The most color I’ve been enjoying have been our sunrises and sunsets. They have truly been awesome! Now that I know to just stop by for a visit without the email notice, I promise to do so. Wishing you a lovely week, dear Kim! Zenda

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  14. It was a delightful walk amongst your flowers! Those hexie flowers are wonderful and I do like your filler choice as everything blends together to look like a mass of flowers in a garden. It is -22C here this morning and your flowers were once again very welcome.

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  15. A stunning riot of colour those hexies!

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  16. Thank you for the prayer and the flower pictures. As we were beginning our Sunday, we talked about how beautiful the day was. Looking out it hardly looks like winter...there is no snow, the sun is shining brightly, the grass even has a slight green glow, the birds are busy finding a bit to eat. Spring? Not to worry, there will be snow blowing and gray skies soon. :) I do so enjoy all your flowers - aren't they a joy? Perhaps, you haven't been engrossed in sewing but with a recuperating hubby, you have an excellent reason. Love those hexies though...I, too, have been thinking of EPP lately. I have had both my knees replaced so I know Pete's recovery. Know that doing the exercises every day (or more) is extremely important. It may be uncomfortable, but it will be worth it!

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  17. Beautiful flowers and very pretty hexi flowers. Happy stitching this week.

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  18. Your abundance of flowers is always amazing and beautiful. You have your own heaven on earth.

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  19. Glad to hear Pete is recovering well from his surgery. Gorgeous photos of your flowers. I don't think I've ever seen such a big colour variety of buddlias. And gorgeous hexies too!

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  20. Gorgeous, gorgeous flowers and pictures! How I would love to come and spend the day with you! We are having, as you probably know from your daughter lots and lots, and lots of rain. I have gardens that need sorting out but it has been raining too much. My hydrangea branches just look like sticks right now. Everything is pretty gloomy. I actually love the weather in spring and summer too. But so, so thankful for rain in our poor parched California! Have a great week Kim!

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  21. As always, your words and photos are such a delight. Sweet peas would be one of my favourite flowers, nice simple happy blooms indeed. Wishing Pete well with his knee replacement recovery. Robin will be seeing the surgeon about his second one when we return home from tripping around the South Island. "By the time I see you again", the surgeon said ti him, "you would have forgotten about the pain"

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  22. Disfrutar de tus flores es para mĆ­ una verdadera terapia en Ć©stos frĆ­os dĆ­as de invierno. Preciosos hexies. Muchos BESICOS.

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  23. Always lovely to see your colors this time of year.

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  24. Hi Kim
    Such lovely photos on this very cold rainy morning.
    Your hexagons are so vibrant and pretty. You find such great fabrics.
    I really like your lampshade.
    Have a great week.
    Best wishes Kay c XX

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    1. There are some fabulous fabrics in these hexies, aren't there? I love the lampshade, too, Kay. I love the whimsical nature of it. Love all the sweet children. Thank you for stopping by. I hope the rain stops soon and the sun shines upon you. Kim Xx

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  25. Your photographs always brighten my day Kim - thank you. Love love love the hexie flowers! xx

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  26. What a wonderful world we live in. Can just smell the sweet peas and roses. Feel the soft petals and soak up all the beautiful colours. Those hexies are amazing and they will be a great quilt when they are done, thank you from winter in Canada.

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    1. It is indeed a wonderful world, Maggie, especially in my little corner of it. =) Thank you for your lyrical words re the roses and sweet peas. You summed up these flowers perfectly. Hopefully my hexies will transform into a quilt akin to a meadow of flowers. Hope you are enjoying your week. Stay warm! Kim Xx

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  27. Your home is like being in a florist shop. I can just imagine the glorious fragrance to go with the beautiful blooms. Well done on the fussy cut flowers in the hexies. I've never seen such large buddleia blossoms. I've planted several bushes in various locations, but they've never lasted more than a few years. Pete must be champing at the bit to get back outside. Hard time for a gardener to be sidelined. I'm sure your excellent care will have him up and about in no time.
    Pat

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  28. Kim - it has been so gray here (normal for us, and I am not complaining) but hearing you describe summer, and witnessing the beauty of Pete's garden again makes me just a teensy weensy bit jealous and anxious for my garden to emerge from Winter's grasp. But we are MONTHS from that happening! Thanks for visiting my blog!!!

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  29. Oh summer, I remember it well! We have rain, cold and frost here :-( Your photos are absolutely gorgeous, such beautiful flowers, and your hexies are gorgeous too :-)

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  30. As always, the flowers, both real and quilted, are just divine. Hope Pete is able to get back outside soon; I can imagine that would be a tad frustrating!

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    1. Jayne, Pete cannot wait to get out in the garden. He is not one to sit around for long periods of time. Hopefully it won't be too long till he can once again do what he loves. Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment re the flowers and flowery hexies. You have put many a smile into my day. Kim Xx

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  31. Oh my what could be more lovely then all those gorgeous flowers along with all your beautiful flowery hexies, wonderful combo for sure, love how you are putting them together!
    So good to hear that Pete is healing well too :)
    Hope your weather continues to be nice for you, we had some very cold weather but for now we are having normal or a few degrees above normal temps now which is nice :)

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  32. Beautiful flowers and your hexies are gorgeous, another beautiful quilt in the making.

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  33. If I didn't know better I would swear all those flowers aren't real...they're just so perfect. Loved seeing the wee hexxie flowers - made me remember my unfinished project that has stalled because I can't figure out what to do with them. I only have two UFO's and the one I'm hand quilting at the moment is first 'up' on the to-finish-or-else list. Next will come the hexxies - if only I can come up with what to actually DO with them. Perhaps your new quilt will inspire me!

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  34. So beautiful! I can almost smell the flowers :)

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