Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Birds and Flowers

Look what I won!


I am so pleased to have found this on EBay.  I already had Alpha Menagerie and Alpha Sheep  (found them at a local Cross Stitch Store)!  Every time Alpha Birds went on EBay, it seemed to sell for $75-$100 - well out of my price range.  But good things do come to those who wait, and I managed to win this, and stay within my bidding budget too! 
Now to find the time to stitch it!


The theme for The Tuesday Garden Party this week is "Fall and Winter Pot Ideas". 
I've tried cyclamen for winter color for several years running.  I always manage to kill the poor plants within a month or so.  I over-water and they develop mold and croak.

Pansies and Violas are much more forgiving! 
So this year I'm going with Pansies

...and Violas.

They make for cheerful pots of color in the Fall and deep Winter too.

Speaking of autumn color, the bouquets at the Farmers' Market on Saturday were remarkable in their artistry.

I am so in love with the use of a small ornamental kale in the arrangement.  It echos the tones of the pink and cream dahlias, and silver-green eucalyptus perfectly.

It looks great with bolder colors too!
Try it!

10 comments:

Deb said...

That's a great pattern you found especially if it was in your budget. I've had that series for a while and keep forgetting about it. I've seen it stitched and it looks fantastic. Hope that you start them soon!

Edgar said...

congrats on the eBay win! The Alpha trio is a great piece to stitch.

Christina said...

Wow, can't believe you managed to get Alpha Bird! $75 - $100 is a ridiculous price to pay for a chart, unless you're sharing the cost with friends. I had a similar situation with BBD 'Awake the Dawning Day'. Every time it came up on ebay it went for well over $50. But you're right, good things come to those who wait and I eventually got it for a very reasonable price indeed from a fellow stitcher!

carol fun said...

Oh isnt' it great to finally luck out on ebay. Congrats - I've had a success or two but you have to be patient and that isn't my strong suit. I love the Sheepish Designs too and this one is gorgeous. Happy stitching-

Unknown said...

I don't know these designs, but I guess I'm glad - couldn't afford them - LOL!!

If the weather is reasonable on Sunday, I will be putting a flat or two of pansies in my big flower bed that I can see from my kitchen window. In those dreary winter days it is so good to see their "smiling faces".

Melinda said...

My flowers are done now - until spring. The only color I'll see outside for a while now is white snow with the flash of a red cardinal now and then. I'm more than a little jealous of your pansies! ;)

Glenna said...

Excellent win! I buy Sheepish Designs on and off as I see them with decent prices. Last year I found an nice one (Sarah Salter) at my LNS on the bottom shelf for its original price. I love your blog, and I'm adding you to my reader.

Charlene said...

All I have in containers this year are a couple of pots of mums that I bought. I meant to re-pot them, but they are doing so well, I've just left them in their original pots. Love the pansies and violas, both of them are among my favorites!

Donnie said...

Your photos are so lovely. I especially like the leggings on the meters.

Jami @ An Oregon Cottage said...

Amen for Pansies! With our mild summer, I actually still have some from last spring that are decided to bloom again. :-)