Hello, lovely lovelies♡ Well....June 1st finally arrived! And, although here in Australia the calendar refers to this day as the first day of winter, my least favourite of the seasons, here in my little place this fact surprisingly did not cause me any alarm. No discontentment, no displeasure; indeed no regret here. For it was the day that Tilda's new glorious collection 'Chic Escape was to be released to the world!
My good husband and my good self jumped out of bed with glee. For it was the day that he and me were to rock up at my favourite patchwork shop, before it opened, to be first in line, so that I might empty my purse and purchase metre upon metre of the glorious fabrics. Well, I do tell a fib....just a little one, for my Pete wasn't quite as enthused to greet the wintry-like morn quite like me. But, he did nevertheless. He even cooked breakfast for me before we embarked on our little 'adventure'. He is a good man, is My Pete. I did query a week ago that perhaps we could camp on the doorstep of the shop overnight, but to my astonishment he said, a monosyllabic, NO. Did I say last week he and me have been strolling along the path of matrimonial bliss for 44 years? Oh dear...I wonder if we will add another year to that number??
Alas, we should've stayed in bed to enjoy a leisurely cup of tea because enroute to the amassing of these sumptuous fabrics, Sarah, the lovely proprietor of my favourite patchwork shop, rang to say the fabrics were delayed and she didn't know when they would arrive. So, we diverted from our chosen course, and continued to drive down a picturesque, winding road in search for some tea and cake. There are always beautiful views to drink in, especially on the road less travelled. All was not lost. =)
So...3rd June rolled around and with word the night before that the fabrics had arrived; and much like Groundhog Day, the two of us set off once more the very next morning to acquire some lovely Tilda pretties. As I opened the door all the lovely bolts of Chic Escape were before me just waiting for me to choose. Good thing we arrived early though, as the lovely Sarah was busily cutting fabrics to fill online orders. After having chosen a quite a few fabrics, I did wonder if the EFTPOS machine would explode as the final amount spent was keyed in. Thank goodness....all was well. You American lovelies are very spoilt with the prices you pay for your patchwork fabrics. Here in Australia we seem to pay through the nose; two and a half times what you pay. But, that's okay, as I really wouldn't want to live anywhere else but Australia these days, for so many reasons. Also, I did wonder if Pete would buckle under the weight of all the fabrics, as we made our way to the car but again, no; all was good. So, he and me journeyed home with me petting all my lovely pretties and at intervals me exclaiming "wow....will you look at this peacock....look at this vase.....just have a gander at the roses....!". Pete just smiled and kept driving with both eyes on the road ahead. For I know he didn't want us to meet our untimely demise, just yet......at least not till I had a chance to play with my Tilda pretties.=)
Anyway, let us chat about the gorgeous fabrics that is Tilda's Chic Escape. They are all so very chic and give the feeling of escaping into another era where grand old houses which have stood tall and strong for hundreds of years, burgeoning with antiques, chandeliers; dimpled and at places threadbare, well-used chintz-covered sofas with coordinated fabrics (chintz again) draping from 20ft high leadlight windows, puddling on the floor. The colour palette is bolder and deeper, and the patterns bigger than the Tilda fabrics we are used to. As I pet and look at these fabrics more closely, I am struck by what a clever designer Tone Finnanger is, both in pattern, obviously; but also the unexpected colour and tonal choices. Along with Chic Escape there are ditsy little flowers, Daisyfield, to coordinate with Chic Escape. They are all truly gorgeous, imparting a feeling of joie de vivre.
There are vases with chinoserie-like patterns spilling over with flowers; peacocks strutting their stuff, with tail plumage trailing behind them as they preen amongst a background of climbing roses, and heady arrangements of blousy roses mingling with other flowers. All the patterns luxuriant, full-bodied and screaming sumptuousness. Sumptuousness, I hear you ask?? Is there such a word?? Well, there is now. =)
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Now to imagine what I will fashion from these lovely fabrics?? Perhaps a few 'just because' quilts as gifts for friends. Perhaps a quilt for me. Some to find a home, perhaps, on my quilted coat, which is at the moment just a fanciful imagination?? Oh, I most certainly can see a proud and beautiful peacock strutting somewhere on my quilted coat. I can definitely see broderie perse pretties, too. So, so many possibilities.
Oh, and about my previous words that the arrival of Old Man Winter did not cause me any discontent, nor indeed displeasure; forget it! I was obviously not quite right in the head. The rush of blood to my cerebral region was evidently caused from excitement of the procurement of these splendiferous fabrics. Just a tad hasty, perhaps, in my nonchalance of the frigid season. Because today, Old Man Winter has blasted in, swirling and howling all around the place in a furious and frenzied manner. Huffing and puffing, and trying to blow my house down. But, thus far my little abode is still standing upon the foundations. Heavy rain, and at times gale-force winds was my lot this Sunday. I'm surmising the frigid fellow is settling in with the determination to stay for a long while. Not to worry. With the fires belching out fevered heat and me playing with my Tilda pretties, perhaps 'The Big Freeze' will be tolerable.
As it is Sunday, I really should think about a little slow stitching, after all I suppose that is why I'm here. =) Truth be told my 'little' photo shoot has taken the good part of my day. I capture a photo or two in one setting, then another; with my muddly brain exploding with ideas. Now I really should pack everything away. What I need is an assistant to tidy up as I go. =) This post has really been to a showcase Tilda's Chic Escape fabrics. Later this evening I think I might begin to prepare a few hexies together from my gorgeous Tilda fabrics for the patchwork coat. Not slow stitching exactly but the beginnings of some. There surely must be a spot or two for some hexies on the coat. About this coat?? It may well turn out as one of those better-in-theory-than-in-practice kinda projects, but it will be fun playing, nevertheless. Always the eternal dreamer. =)
Thank you for stopping by♡ Hoping you enjoy a pleasant week, lovely lovelies♡ Enjoy your Sunday. Hoping yours is a sunnier one than mine. 'Tis a good thing I took much too many happy snaps of my Tilda pretties, outside, yesterday, when there were blue skies. =)
Until the next time.........
