Who Would've Thunk it!!

Yes indeedy!! Who would've thunk it......Applique with a capital 'A', is actually enjoyable. I have avoided the "A" word for most of my quilting life. Why, I don't really know. I suppose I thought all those itty bitty, pointy leaves and minuscule petals of flowers, especially those that appear frequently in those Baltimore beauties, were just too tricky to coerce into anything that half resembles a  flower, or a leaf, or a butterfly, or a bird......you get the picture. Yes, I don't know if the tips of my leaves  are the sharpest they should be and yes, I don't know if some of the curves of my flower petals are the curviest they could be but do you know what, I am having the best time coaxing teeny tiny smidgens of fabrics into blossoms. I am loving this growing pretty fabric flowers caper.

This week my magical, mixed packet of seeds have germinated into Pansies and Tulips. More flowers for my big girl quilt have begun to show their happy faces.

Pansies for your Thoughts...........

Tulips for true love...............

Mmm......looking at all these pretties showing off in a lovely frame, me thinks a framed bouquet of appliqued floralicious delight could be rather spiffy! Goodness gracious me.....my imagination will just not stop imagining! =)

Thus far, I have chosen to applique using the freezer paper method. I have found this method to be the easiest as it enables me to finger press around each shape. When I peel off the paper template I dab the  turned under fabric with my glue stick here and there and then iron the fabric shape. I find this gives each shape a crisp, defined look, fabulous for those leaves with sharp tips. After manipulating over 100 petals and leaves I am getting the hang of this finger pressing caper. I have developed a soft touch with my fingers gently easing the curves, thus avoiding sharp indents that should not be there. I find this painstakingly slow, but oddly enough I don't seem to mind at all.

I have yet to stitch the flowers to the background though there has been a little hand stitching. I have stitched individual petals to form each flower and then join these to the stem with the leaves. When I do begin to stitch the flowers to the background it will be easier to arrange and then stitch the completed flower. This is probably not the way 'those people in the know' applique, but it suits me. It would be torture to stitch each little petal, each little leaf to the fabric background separately. Also the finer embroidery details are yet to be stitched. I will do this when I 'plant' the flowers on the quilt.

Whilst my applique flowers have been slowly growing this week, as I look out my windows I see signs that Spring is about to explode onto the scene. The Daffodils, those pretties that provide a spectacle towards the end of Winter are beginning to fade. I always feel Spring has arrived when I see the buds on the pendulous branches of the weeping cherry trees explode and cascade waterfall-like down to the ground. They truly are a spectacular sight.

Though mornings are still chilly it won't be long till I can be found relaxing on the swing seat by the pond, reading a book or two, or perhaps  stitching flowers to my big girl quilt.

Appliqued Daffodils, Pansies and Tulips. Next week I think I might attempt some Water Lilies, after all, the star of  the garden is the pond my husband has created. I can see the Water Lilies spilling out of the magical packet of mixed seeds as I type. How exciting!! Who knows, perhaps when next you visit my little Spring world the real stitching will have begun. Perhaps, just perhaps my applique flowers will have begun to blossom on the quilt. But for now, I will just keep having the best fun Appliqueing with a capital "A". As always, thank you for visiting my blossomy, little Spring place.

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

Linking this week at Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts......well because....it is Sunday and my stitching this week has been slower than a snail's pace. =)
AND....also at Soma's Wandering Camera at Whims and Fancies

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring

I don't know why, but I am always amazed at the beauty of Spring. Year after year Spring never fails to delight and astound me. I suppose, because I find Winter rather tedious and ho hum and the long months of dreary and frigid landscapes rather bleak, I wonder if Spring will ever visit these shores once more. Just as I begin to think Winter will last forever, Spring magically appears and begins to dust the landscape with beautiful colour. Down here at the bottom of the world Spring is sprinkling new life and beauty to the landscape. Spring is weaving it's colourful magic with cheery profusion.

In our little plot of earth the Daffodils and Jonquils pop up with cheery abandon. Year after year the Spring bulbs multiply with very little effort from my green-fingered gardener. =)  Every year each bulb gifts me with another and another and another bulb. 'Tis magic really.

Sweet, sweet Maisie......doesn't she adorn the countryside beautifully! She is incorrigible, always ready to smile at the camera.

Whilst Spring has been doing it's thing outside, I have been doing my thing inside. I have been whiling away many Spring moments stitching my hexie flower quilt. Each hexie flower reminds me that Spring kisses the earth with sweet flowers.

I have bordered each flower block with strips of  fabric to give the quilt a scrappy aesthetic.

In each corner I appliqued the smaller hexie flowers onto polka dot fabric.

I was going to applique each small hexie flower onto white fabric but I thought the dotty fabric would add a sense of fun and cheeriness. I love these little hexie flowers. I think the addition of the snippets of embroidered doilies in the middle of each flower adds a touch of whimsy.

The quilt top thus far is the size of the top of a queen bed. Now I have to decide how I will border the quilt. I like the thought of fencing the flowers in with scraps of fabric. I am thinking of incorporating some small hexie flowers; how, I am not quite sure but I am hoping something brilliant will metamorphose. =) I will play around and see what imaginations my muddly brainpan will conjure up.

It is school holiday time down here at the bottom of the world so I am going to spend the next couple of weeks stitching this pretty quilt......amongst enjoying other pastimes. I can see in my crystal ball, the enjoyment of many a country drive through this beautiful Spring paradise, drinking in the glorious sights and scents that Spring always magically gifts us. Tassie in Springtime is truly a sight to behold.

Now that the days are getting longer and becoming warmer I might even find myself in my garden, sitting amongst the Spring bulbs enjoying a cup of tea.

Aah....the beauty of God's masterful brushwork is truly magical!

And......of course pick overflowing baskets of Spring bulbs.

Just playing. =)

Enough of this chatting and playing with pretty flowers, there is a li'l stitching to be done!

Until the next time.........have a beautiful day!

The Spring Event of the Year

Hello everyone. We are back in town again.....me, myself and I, safely ensconced in the little cottage and my good husband just across the road, being wonderfully cared for by the lovely hospital staff. Yes, he has had his operation and is looking remarkably well considering it was only last Monday he underwent major surgery. Honestly, he is an amazing man with the best attitude to life. The surgery went well but as to what we face next is dependent upon the pathology results.

So.......because I haven't anything of the stitching kind to wax lyrical about (though I have been faithfully stitching my hexie quilt whilst sitting with my husband and keeping him company),  I thought I might tell you about a local flower show my good husband and I visited a couple of weeks ago. Now a word of caution here; I have donned my naughty hat for this little recount as I am in the mood for a little drollness...a little jocosity!

This little flower show we visited was advertised by the newspaper  as the "Spring Social Event of the Year", well anyway at least in the North East of Tasmania. It was the place to be for all those green fingered types who have been lovingly tending their Spring gardens in hope of growing the perfect bloom. It was the social event of the season for all those who were anticipating to clasp a pretty coloured ribbon (preferably blue)......or two, and be rewarded for their horticulture par excellence; and of course not to mention the filling of their pockets with the measly equitable monetary prize!!

Upon reading this advertisement, the motion picture tape of my mind. humorously rewound back a few years, to the first time we visited "The North East Event of the Year"!! It was a warm autumnal day; we had just arrived from Sydney (we had only been living in this far rural outpost for a couple of weeks) and as we were up for a bit of people meet and greet and my good husband wanted to investigate the botanical delights peculiar to this far rural outpost, we moseyed along.

(Sshhhh now.......what I am going to tell you might well precipitate  a trowel in my ribs or perhaps a spade finding it's mark on my cranium. One never can tell just who is watching and listening......one has to be a wee bit careful.)

The rewinding of the metaphorical tape continues...............With great expectations of what lay behind those cobwebby doors, we crossed the threshold of the "Event of the Year", but alas...............our progress was thwarted. Before us stood a dear old soul (well I thought she was, alas, my summation of this dear old soul quickly evaporated).

"Stop" she cried! "Hello", I excitedly greeted her, "we have come to visit your flower show, it's been haled as the place to be seen," inwardly smiling at my reply. I am afraid my facetiousness can at times get the better of me. "You can't come in, you are too early!" stated Fraulein Hitler. "Really," I queried, "but it is ten minutes to ten."

Now you must, must forgive me at this juncture with the naming of this dear old soul with a name that sends shivers up anyone's spine but honestly, a picture did begin to form in my mind's eye of  a female version of Herr Hitler. If only she was holding a revolver pitchfork my imaginative depiction would have been complete. I do confess, I failed to read the small print regarding the opening times......I had left my glasses at home.....so was completely unaware that this little shindig opened at 10.00am, and was a little taken aback by what unfolded.

"I have money" I stated hesitantly. "I don't care if you have money, you can't come in; you are ten minutes early" expostulated Fraulein Hitler, barrelling the doorway. "Really?? But seeing as we are already here, can't we perhaps quickly come in??" I pleaded. "I promise we won't be a bother.....we will just inconspicuously meld into the floral display!!!!!" Now I did look into her eyes to see if perhaps there was a glimmer of amusement at my waggishness, but alas, there was none. "No," she interrupted..........."where do you hale from?" she asked. To which I replied..."Sydney". Now the absurdity of  my reply completely whooshed over her head swirling round and round into a comical drawing of a bloated, belly laugh. At this stage both my good husband and I began to tremble with inward laughter. I mean really, did Fraulein Hitler this dear old soul really imagine my good husband and I, had left Sydney, driving through two states, embarking on the "Spirit of Tasmania" to sail across the pond with the intention of visiting "The Event of the Year"??  Although this Flower Show was haled as "The Event of the Year" in this far rural outpost on the social calendar......believe you me.....The Chelsea Flower it was not!!

My husband and I who at this stage could hardly stand up for the percolating giggles that were beginning to escape, quickly exited The North East Flower Show....."The Event of the Year" and went and sat in our jalopy for ten minutes, trying to regain some semblance of control, and waited for the 'town crier' to publicly declare  The North East Flower Show open, flinging it's doors and hospitality wide open to the madding crowds the genteel folk!!!

I must say when we once again tentatively crossed the threshold of the Flower Show at one minute past ten o'clock, Fraulein Hitler had lost all her prickly-ness, that veiled look of malice in her eyes; and had donned an attitude and demeanor of a dear old soul!!

We quickly circumnavigated the hall (it took about 10 minutes) and oohed and aahed over one Dahlia in a vase.......two Dahlias in a vase......one rose in a vase, two roses in a vase........one wilted Gladioli in a vase. Indeed, Dame Edna Everage would have need of her smelling salts if her cat-eyed glasses caught a glimpse of this specimen of her fave flower, gasping for it's last breath. The list of single stems of the flower kingdom in a specimen vase goes on and on!! Obviously the workings and judging of a good flower show thoroughly escapes my pea brain!!

Aaah yes.......that day was just too, too funny. A story that I have filed away in the dark chambers of my brain pan under the heading "Humorous but Naughty"!!!!!! I might add, this recount is a correct recollection of the events.....though I might from time to time, sprinkle the story with just a wee bit of embellishing.....it is basically gospel......I tell no lie!

Anyway, with our first introduction to that Flower Show many moons ago but a distant memory, I quickly fast forward to present day and again had a bo peep of what the green fingered populace of this far rural outpost had been cultivating lately.

As Spring had only just begun to spring at the time of the flower show, there wasn't the variety of the flower kingdom that one might see at the Autumn Show. Yes the flower show is a bi-annual event. There were oodles of pretty daffodils of many species. I only have a few species of daffodils in my garden so I was pleasantly surprised to see the variety of daffodils on display. I made a mental note of what daffodils I would love to plant next year.

Some pretty Fritillaries. I just might have to get some of these. I love the chequered pattern on these nodding, bell-shaped flowers.

There were Camellias, Pansies, Waratahs, Lilies and other pretty flowers. Just between you and me I much prefer the Autumn show where Hydrangeas, Gladioli, Liliums, Roses, Dahlias are the main stars of the day. There is a gentleman around these parts who grows the most amazing Dahlias and Gladioli and of course always goes home with a wheel barrow of prizes.

This was my favourite plant....I would have liked to have whipped this under my arm and head for dem dar hills!

I really liked this delicate flower. I'm not sure what it is.

Camellias weren't quite as abundant as the Daffodils.

One of the mums of one of my clever stitching girls won a prize for her Camellia. Lovely lady....lovely flower!

As I walked around, my 'stylist's eye' made a mental note of what I would do if I wore the Queen Bee hat of the flower committee. First of course I would sweep away the cobwebs that reached out their lacey hands, dressing me with their sticky lace as I entered the building. As beautiful as cobwebs are, I really am not enamoured at having critters of the arachnid kind, finding a new home in my coiffured locks. Oh and there are a few other things that could add a little sparkle, a little savoire faire to this social calendar event of the year. But of course....one cannot diplomatically suggest little changes....it just isn't done......at least not if one likes to live a little longer in this lovely far rural outpost......and I do!!

I rest my case. Bunting please........beautiful pots of flowers please......a little pizzaz please....if nothing else, at least some colour!! Mmmm......would a brass band be overkill. =)

But....cobwebs, utilitarian tea cups and forlorn front entrances aside, there was a lovely display of what people have been growing in their gardens and of course one does have a delightful natter with every single person one has ever met in the last seven years. One enjoys a cuppa and a scone and one does have a lovely time seeing what pretties are blossoming in gardens at this time of the year and the odd exquisite vase that has been handed down from generation to generation. Though I did spy with my little beady eye, an inordinately large number of daffodils in what seemed to me, mandatory green bottles. I curtailed my wickedness in wanting to surreptitiously whip out my sling shot from my pocket and bring those green bottles down one by one.....singing a hundred ten green bottles sitting on the wall. 'Tis obvious I am no aficionado  when it comes to the display protocol and the judging of single stemmed flowers in green bottles at a flower show.

I suppose there is an edict from the higher echelon of floral societies all over the world, that any reputable garden show is all about the blooms AND most definitely not about the vessel in which they are displayed. I have been told that gardeners of repute spend hours and hours in perfecting their blooms. What would I, a shallow minded arty farty type, whose stylist's head is up in dem arty farty, fluffy, white clouds; where cherubs holding cachepots and jardinieres over-spilling with glorious floral arrangements abound, know. What would I, dreaming about pretty vases, know about such things???? Nothing really. 'Tis probably a good thing I am not a judge!! To me a beautiful bunch of flowers always looks ever so much perkier in a beautiful receptacle. Mmmm....I have just had a thought.....perhaps I could enter a display of blooms in the next flower show.

Perhaps....just perhaps I could fill some of my lovely receptacles with oodles of Irises, Lilacs, Roses and whatever other beautiful blooms are sashaying splendiforously in my garden.

Perhaps, just perhaps I could plonk a few gorgeous roses in a pretty tea cup.

.....or perhaps, some beautiful, blousy flowers which are a li'l past their best in a vintage jug.

.......or perhaps, a pitcher overspilling with Pierre de Ronsard roses....my very favourite rose.

.......or perhaps, a jug of vibrantly, splashy Dahlias.

And....about those daffodils......I much prefer their pretty, frilly, trumpet heads all jostling for space, in a jug.......so much prettier than a plebeian green bottle....don't you think.

Maybe, just maybe one of these days I will plonk lovingly place  bouquets of floralicious delight into a miscellany of pretty vases and enter them in "The North East Event of the Year"!! But....then perhaps not......I have been told the competition is fierce amongst the green fingered types.

Remember the kindly soul we first encountered when we first arrived down here at the bottom of the world, well, she kindly gave me a hug and asked me and how my good husband were faring. She really is a lovely soul. Indeed, I feel great pangs of guilt for ever having likened her to that onerous historical person.

All in all it was an enjoyable way to spend a little time and of course all monies raised at this little shindig goes to help the community....always a wonderful thing.

Just in case word should filter out and my thoughts on my very first visit to the Flower Show are not received with the humour in which I intended.....(my tongue was fixed rather firmly in my cheek as I penned this piece)....I have set my 'lioness' as keeper of the gate! Just in case there are some who would like to pay a visit to the 'sweet' lady who lives in the purpley, bluey grey abode with the bright pink, front door, that sits atop the hill; bearing gifts of cake laced with poisoning; Maisie won't let them darken by garden path.......will she????

Surely she will growl ferociously at those who happen by with a glint of malevolence in their eyes.....won't she????  Surely she will frighten them off....won't she???? She won't wag her rather unkept, furry tail (well she will persist in chasing ducks across the muddy pond)  and smother interlopers with delightful, doggy kisses......will she????

No I can rely on my trusty and faithful friend........can't I?????? That look in her eyes would send those who harbor uncharitable thoughts, plotting revenge; scurrying away........wouldn't it?????

Oh dear she simply cannot be trusted.........I guess I will just keep that bright pink, front door firmly locked!!!!

Until the next time (that is of course there is a next time)........have a wonderful week, everyone. =)