And The Parisian Boot Goes to..........................

Hello lovely lovelies♡ How can it be that Sunday has arrived at my bright pink, front door quicker than quick, again?? It seems like only yesterday I was chatting to you. But, it's been 7 days since I was here. =) I know not where my days disappear. I suppose they hurry to the place of yesterdays, where memories gather, perhaps waiting to be remembered; or pondered upon. Usually on Mondays I guesstimate what pretties will be continued or perhaps started. Will I do 'this', will I get 'that' done during the week; seemingly  thinking upon rather grand plans of what I might achieve. Upon thinking about the coming week, I like to think there will be  oodles of stitching and creativity to show you the next Sunday, but sometimes my plans just don't come to fruition.

This week was a bit like that. Oh, a lot of slow hand stitching was enjoyed; it just looks like there was not. Another round of octagons and squares are do-si-doing around my hydrangea cobblestones path. Twenty six octagons and twenty six squares......and yes, I am counting. =) I think there are enough cobblestones laying across the width of the quilt....well, that is my thinking today. Of course, I could change my mind tomorrow. =) I am supposing I will only add to the length. Then I have to decide what other fabrics I will use to make it a queen size quilt. I have a hare-brained thought percolating, but that is for another Sunday. I know...such a tease.

I have been enjoying a little knitting, also. The left side of my jacket has grown a little. I must say I am  loving knitting this pattern. My muddly head and my knitting needles are finally in sync. Both have settled into a  groove with the pattern, which is rather nice. My friend Trish and I have been spending time together on Thursday afternoons happily clickety clacking away with needles and wool. Trish, too, is in a groove. Her jacket is coming along leaps and bounds.  I must say, she and me solve an extensive amount of the world problems each Thursday afternoon. If only the powers that be would pick up the blower (a phone, for those of you who are not in-the-know of Australian slang) and have a chat. =)

As for the flowers, Dutch Irises are beginning to flower here and there. Very soon they will be everywhere. The tall statuesque form of the bluey, purple irises are rather lovely to the eye. Lady Spring has floated by on many a breeze sprinkling flowers all around at her bidding. First there were the daffodils; then the blossom trees, bluebells, forget-me-nots, tulips, snowdrops, waratahs, magnolias, azaleas, rhododendrons, and now the snowball trees and clematis are coming into their own. I am waiting patiently for the lilac panicles to open and fill the air with the heady scents that only lilacs can gift. Oh, and all of a sudden, the glossy green of the hydrangea leaves are growing. Oh, happy day! Flower after flower, at their allotted time has put on the most deliciously abundant show. I must say though, that winds reminiscent of that nasty frigid fellow, whom I shall not name, has gusted through some days causing the flowers to be less than presentable. No matter, it's not as if I don't have a glut of flowers to make me happy♡

But , as certain as Old Man Sun rises in the east and smiles upon my garden (and me) there are always a few happy snaps of flowers. You know that......right?? After all.......it is my signature. =)

A basket of irises for you; tied with a pretty blue bow♡

Care to stroll with me in the garden, and drink in the beauty??

Oh look, there's my sweet, sweet Maisie. She loves irises, too♡

"Enough of the happy snaps", I hear you say, "what about the Parisian boot"?? The names of those of you who are not adverse to a little lace and vintage fripperies on a Christmas stocking, were gathered together in a hat and the name my husband drew out is the lovely Sarah, from the lovely blog, Quilting By The Sea♡ Sarah, if you could please email me your address, then I will post your little Parisian boot to you.  I hope it sprinkles many a smile into your day.....into your Christmas. I am quite certain the little Parisian pretty will settle in among all the gorgeous pretties you fashion♡

So, as my Sunday afternoon floats into evening, I will knit more pretty cables on my jacket. Later on I will visit Kathy's place and join in the merriment of the happy band of slow hand stitchers. It is a delightful group of ladies, and a wonderful way to spend a Sunday evening, gazing upon others' lovely makes and be inspired by each one. Another Sunday evening with thoughts of seven whole days in which to stitch or knit, perhaps design a new pretty......and most certainly stroll in the garden, capturing a plethora of happy snaps. Oh, and there is another week, another seven whole days in which to glory in the  spring beauty that embraces me. Have a beautiful week, lovely lovelies ♡May you glory in the beauty of this week, too♡

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

Christmas is A-Coming.....and a Giveaway

Hello lovely lovelies❣ 'Tis early Sunday morning here. One of those sunshine-dripping, spring kinda mornings. One of those mornings where one just wants to slowly sip a cup of tea, in a pretty teacup, looking out to the garden beyond and be thankful that this day has been given to enjoy. The calender has nudged me that it is the 25th day of October. Goodness me, in two months time you and I will be waking to the sounds of Christmas Day. I wonder what Christmas Day will be like this year?? I suppose a Christmas Day like no other. With all that thas happened this year, one cannot really plan for such events, as COVID is a day by day proposition, isn't it. I wonder if families will be able to gather together this year as has always be done; or will Christmas Day celebrations be one where family members are limited and social distancing has to be adhered to??

I know 'tis a bit early to chat about the festive season, but I wanted to have a little Christmas giveaway to sprinkle a little cheer into the day of one of you lovelies. I wanted to sprinkle a little Christmas joy in these uncertain times. Nine years ago I penned a tale about the fashioning of a a Christmas stocking in the aesthetic of a rather elegant Parisian boot evoking the times of King Louis XIV; and a court jester boot for my husband. I wanted to add a little 'joie de vivre' to our festive mantlescape; and to be honest, nine years of skipping down the flower-lined path of this thing that is called life, I still love them as much as I did when I first fashioned them. If you are in the mood of a little light reading or a humorous little tale (well.....at the time.....I thought it was) then you can skip along the twinkling Christmas path, lit with festive sparkle and be amused (or bored) and read my tale of  'Twas The Night Before Christmas........HERE.

Why oh why did I divert you to my Christmas tale of old???? Why, I am desiring to gift a Parisian boot somewhat similar to the pretty I fashioned for my mantlepiece all those years ago.

I fashioned this pretty (along with others in every hue) for a craft fair I was participating in about ten years ago. As with my Louis XIV style Parisian boot, it is a pretty with a jumble of lace, vintage fabrics, jewellery, ribbons, buckles, ruched ribbons......and all that bedazzles.  It has been hanging about in one of my armoires all these years and is wanting to escape, to add a little joie de vivre to some other lovely's Christmas mantelscape. There is another Parisian boot as well to choose from. For those of you who prefer a more traditional christmassy aesthetic, this one is a boot singing a Christmas carol in reds and golds, with sweet little cherubs and lovely laces, gold tassles and beading. Mmm....a Parisian boot smothered in creams and antique laces; or the more classic red and green pretty.......I wonder which one you will choose????

My deepest apologies for broaching the subject of Christmas with you a wee bit early, but, with the postal service as it is all over the world, I thought I had better throw caution to the wind and attend to this little matter sooner rather than later. Why, I have heard rumours and scuttlebutt about the mail  in the USofA, (if perchance my little pretty should wing it's way there) of the longest delays with the delivery of packages and letters, so I had better post this little pretty, early. Who knows, perhaps it will arrive at someone's doorstep before (fingers crossed) Christmas Day......or Christmas Day 2021.......if at all. =) One never knows these days. I will just have to send it on a wing and a prayer. I have sent cards to my daughter and son-in-law in San Fransisco and they have taken an age to arrive at their doorstep. It's just the way it is these days. There is not a lot we can do about it. The new normal I'm afraid that we all have to get used to. Oh.....I just had a thought. A ridiculous thought, but you know;  there is always the possibility of bringing out the retired stagecoaches of yesteryear, and four trusty steeds to deliver my pretty........well....it could work. Why, is that the honeyed voice of Doris Day singing whip crack-away, whip crack-away, whip crack-away, enroute to Deadwood..........off in the distance?????? Why......I do believe it is . =) Sorry, much too many viewings of Calamity Jane!!

All humour aside, if you hanker after a little Parisian Christmas boot hanging somewhere in your home this Christmastime; adding a little sparkle, a little shimmering glimmer to your days, then please say so in your comment.....and don't forget to mention which pretty you prefer (if indeed, you feel inclined to say hi). I fully understand that a Christmas stocking dripping with  lace and other such fripperies is not to everyone's taste.....I won't hold it against you. =) Thank you for visiting my little place. I will let you know next Sunday where my little Parisian boot will live forevermore. Have a beautiful day, lovely lovelies❣ Thank you for gifting me with your sweet visit❣

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

Linking up this week to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching...........as these pretties were entirely stitched by my needle pricked fingers and and I seem to recall that they were hand stitched on a Sunday, well, not in their entirety, as they did take an age to fashion. Why, with my hand on my heart, I speak not with forked tongue. =)