hortensia

Homemade gorgeous

 

I came across a beautiful book a little while ago, and as I've had to spend so much time indoors lately, I decided to treat myself.

 

Like everyone (who sews) there are always small pieces of fabric lying around, which are really too small to be made into anything, but are just too beautiful to throw away.

 

In this book there was an answer: a brooch using many layers of fabric. Oooh, there is just so much fun to be had in this book.

This rain is pretty dire just now, but do you know? I'm liking being indoors, playing with fabrics, sorting out cupboards, reading and baking. But I'd quite like it to dry up for the weekend. Thank you. Please.

P x

A beautiful place to stay and graze goodies

 

Last week was a certain small girl's 2nd birthday, as we needed a bit of a break, too, we stayed at a beautiful b & b in Halam. See above.

 

It's basically the sort of little b & b you read about some reporter in a Sunday supplement finding - yet you never seem to do so.

 

Well, these places do exist - the photo above is taken lying on a white bedding-covered bed. And the picture below is of the view from the bedroom window.  Combine all this with a sweet sitting room, filled with pretty china, antiques and another gorgeous fireplace - and you get a perfect place to rest a while.

 

But when you also add in the gardens - which open to the public for NGS - well, you pretty much want to just move in there for good:

 

 

 

 

Mmmm.

Like most people (I think) the opportunity to try something for free is very appealing. My first box of goodies from Graze arrived yesterday, and were scrummy.

  

 

 

If you like the look of this goody box, and would like to try one - for FREE - I have a code for you: 94QF1B1M. Just click on the link above and enter the code.

It was yummy and I liked the packaging, too.  But please, please, please don't think I am anything to do with this firm; the only benefit I get from telling you about it all is something off my next box. So not really commission or anything.  I think they just use these codes as a way to get their product known.

Yesterday was a great day; very quiet and peaceful, but also very productive.  The new workroom is proving to be a retreat as well as a place to work. Will photograph the work and post soon - some of the items are for other people and I'd like them to see them first.

P x

Swap Goodies for Debbie

Am pleased to say Debbie has received her swap parcel:

 

The theme of the swap was 'Cosy', so that to me means keeping warm and a mug of something soothing:

 

 

A mug with its own cosy, and a collar for Debbie for cooler days.  The plant labels are Red Cedar and although not strictly in the 'cosy' theme, well, why not?

 

The sketch book is for those cosy moments when out and about, sitting still, being at peace, and wanting to capture what's around.  The crochet flower is there because it's pink and tactile!

 

 

It's been so much fun doing this swap; I love wrapping parcels.

Have a great weekend,

P x

Sewing case

I've had so much fun today - working with felt. It's such a joy, isn't it? No seams, no edging and no hems - what's not to like? And it was a gorgeous colour too.

 

For once there was no machine sewing, just very therapeutic hand sewing.

 

choosing buttons for the front and the back to use as ribbon fasteners.

 

Attaching both felt and fabric linings and needle holders.

 

Such a lovely way to use up some (very precious) scraps of fabric. I've also cut out some more, so they're all ready for the next time I'm up at 5am and feel the need to do a little hand sewing.

May have to buy lots more felt in lots more colours - it takes one square to make one sewing case and I've only got one square left.

P x

Swap goodies

 

Lovely goodies from Debbie for the cosy crochet swap. So exciting when everything's all wrapped up.

  

But, oh, the best part is opening them - first a cute little crocheted cupcake, all sugar-pink icing.

 

A sweet little book for garden lovers;

 

a gorgeous vintage-floral knitting needle bag with these inside:

 

And last to be opened was this stunning project bag:

 

Did I say last? Well, no, this was hiding under all the pink tissue paper that had been thrown onto the floor:

 

I can't decide which item to start first: a textured hot water bottle cover, or a chunky tea cosy. Oh, let's just be truthful here - I'll probably have to start a few of them together because the yarns will be bought together, and I'll still not be able to decide!

Now these swaps were gorgeous (and arrived on the best day they could), but there was something else in the post that day from here with these on the box:

  

With this inside:

 

This fabric is so soft, and even though it's just cotton, it feels pretty luxurious. I think it may make either a nightdress or a pair of pyjama bottoms. Whatever it transforms into, I'm going to thoroughly enjoy the making; it's such a long time since I made something to wear for myself.

P x

The Sewing Room

Yesterday I mentioned the sewing room.  This has been such a wonderful space to create, though it has taken a lot of thinking about. Luckily Rachel was on hand to help with decisions about wall colours and just where to put things to best effect.

  

So the wall that I face whilst sewing is a beautiful gooseberry fool green, all lovely and soft.

 

But it isn't all about sewing; there's room for yarns to be displayed in gorgeous turquoise dishes.

 

And a perfect teacup and saucer for those all important tea breaks (again, courtesy of Rachel). Don't you just love that Paul Smith shirt fabric?

There are many reasons why we should all have a space of our own, but creativity is an important one.  It gives the opportunity to play around, make a mess and be able to walk away and make a meal without tidying everything away first.

Bliss.

P x

Rose Envy

I realised after typing the title that it could be misconstrued as the name for a rose; no, merely me being very envious of a rose I've seen on another blog.  Not that I don't have some lovely roses in my own garden; but that isn't what envy is all about, is it?

 

 

And the smell from the Albertine Rose is just bliss.  But still...

The flowers this summer are performing in a way that I've not seen here in this garden very often. Yes, I've added compost to the soil, cut back where I should and when, made sure that replacement blooms are ready to replace the earlier ones once they've faded. But, you see, I've done all of those things before and the rewards have not been like this.

An example?

 

These irises have bloomed in the past, but sometimes not.  This year? Thirteen (13) blooms from a small group of 3 clumps.

 

This Blackcurrant Fizz poppy looks just as it did on the packet.  Mmmm. Believe me, I'm not complaining, the therapeutic impact of the garden this year is complete.  No, what I'd like to know is how to make sure I reproduce it for the next few years. Hey ho.  Welcome to gardening I suppose.

Sewing (and blogging, if I'm truthful) has been on the back-burner for a while.  Many reasons, none of which have gone, but my attitude to them seems to have changed. So of course, this morning, when at last I could sit in my new sewing room (mmm, seem to have forgotten to post details of that, too) and get on with some pin cushions.  And enjoy it. And then the postman delivered this:

 

The package itself could have held nothing more than tissue paper, and I still would have been thrilled - just look at that wonderful photo (not a postcard), but there was more inside:

 

A whole bunch of bright, colourful fabrics from Maureen . Won't be making anything with them straight away - no, I think I'm just going to have them lying around for a few days and feel happy that I've met such wonderful people through this blog.

P x

Midsummer blooms

 

Not content with missing May's GBBD, of course I missed June's too.

 

So yesterday I thoroughly enjoyed myself photographing what's in bloom right now.

 

Just look at the tip of that Iris - the definition of anticipation?

 

Now, most of the people who view this blog will know how much I love to grow flowers, not just for garden display, but also (especially?) for cutting. So why did I fall head over heels for these? So much so that someone who was with me actually bought them for me to take home?

 

The smell is soo very sweet; the ruffles soo crinkly - just wanted them.

Because I'm kinda laid up with flu just now, there has been quite a lot of tea breaks; alongside those comes the Thinking.  We all do it; that round of questions that are practically unanswerable, yet still torment.

No decisions will be made until the antibiotics have done their work, (I've made too many poor decisions in the past that way) but is good to be able do that thinking.

P x

Getting ready for gooseberry icecream

 

One of the many things to look forward to in the summer, is the first delicious gooseberry icecream, gently flavoured with elderberry cordial.   And now, with the help of Pipany, I've been able to make my very own cordial. The aroma in the kitchen while all the flavours were blending together will never be forgotten.  Yum.

Another thing that happened today, finally, was planting up the window boxes. A mix of geraniums and nigella. Not the normal window box look, I know, but, hey, let's just see how it goes.

Enjoy the beautiful blue skies.

P x

The Cutting Patch

  

First off are the apologies - forgot to take the camera to the allotment, so these poor quality images are merely to give an idea of the cutting patch looks just now.

 

I'm hoping that you get the sense of the colours, if nothing else.

 

 

Anyhow, I do realise that the regularity of the posts on this blog has slowed down to a ridiculous pace.  Wish I could say that 'normal'service will now be resumed. But no. Please stick with me.

The garden and the allotment are acting as balm; a salve to smooth over those whirling thoughts; what is imagined is often worse than the reality. But not always.

P x