August Colors ... Autumn Colors

 

I fell victim to these WDW 30 count Autumnal pieces of linen.

From left to right: Chestnut, Cocoa, Havana, and Straw.

Straw has more yellow than photographed...

I even have potential stitches for each: La-D-Da's "Old Crow", Little House's "Liberty 1776", Sam Sarah's "Sadie Stuart - Pledge", and Sam Sarah's "Farmer's Market" Series.  Originally, I was just going to stitch a couple of the pieces of fruit, but now I've been a picture of the entire series stitched together and it is so cool... what to do?

Last evening was warm and still, and full of yellow diffused light..    

I love how it played with the Coleus...

The burgundies and umbers glowed...

The plants' colors were intense.

Even the greens and whites...

Though some remained unimpressed... 

A Garden Grumble or Two

I'm in a Grumbly Mood...

Though you'd think this array of linen would perk me up!

R & R Pilgrim Brown, R & R Fitzgerald Red, WDW Lilac, and Lakeside Linen Vintage Magnolia... I guess they do, a bit... 

 Given how wet and cold this Spring has been, it's hard not to Grumble.  So I'll Grumble!  Saturday was nice, but Sunday the rain returned and Monday was cold, rainy, and windy - the rain gauge at 0.5" once again.  The forecast for the next few days calls for cool temperatures and rain showers.

So I guess for this edition of The Tuesday Garden Party, I should be extra thankful for the Front Porch, and my October Potting Efforts!

Protected from the wind and weather, Martinette continues to bloom.

And Bell Song has finally come into its own.

The sky-blue Muscari azureum too are happy enough.

I cannot overstate the wonderful performance of these Belarina Primroses.  I bought then in early March, and they've had loads of non-stops blooms since that time. 

This is another muscari - technically it is in the front flower bed, not the front porch...It has just begun to bloom - I think it's going to be a show-stopper!

  

And delicate Minnow - lovely!  I guess I have more going on than I'd originally thought, and not much to Grumble about after all!  Stay dry! 

Color on a Gray January Day

Hmm...it appears I've "had" to buy some more fabric!

The back row with Ray of Light Cashel, WDW Sky linen, and R & R's Pumpkin Spice Java linen provide a Crayola moment for an adult.

And speaking of color, the pansies continue to bloom on in the depths of January.

The pots I have in a sheltered nook on the back patio are performing well.

They are protected from the weather but get any rays of sunshine that might fall their way.

The front porch also provides reasonable protection.

A few cheery blooms can brighten anyone's day.

Blues and purples...my favorite colors.

Looking to the Future

I cannot decide if EBay is wonderful...or a terrible temptation.

I found some wonderful fabric listed on EBay by JJ's of Glasgow, KY.

Left to right:

40 count Lakeside Vintage Maple Sugar, 40 count R & R Antique Cotton, and 30 count R & R Sleepy Hollow Blend.

I'm thrilled to get the Sleepy Hollow as I think that may be a discontinued color.  All three have been allocated for future projects.

Looking to the future, I've taken advantage of our continued great weather.

I bought some spring bulbs and potted them up.

  

Nothing better illustrates my unremitting optimism as a gardener.

Last year, due to a extreme prolong cold spell in early December (15F-8F), not one of the bulbs I planted survived...major bummer!

But lesson learned. 

This year if we have extreme cold weather, I'll move these pots into the garage or shop where they will not suffer so from the cold.  

I've planted muscari, crocus, iris, and narcissus.

I am hopeful they will make a showing in Spring 2011! 

The Friday Update

A truly lovely morning this morning - for people, plants, and cats. 

I spent most of yesterday afternoon "organizing" - my stash, my recent purchases, my fabric, floss, and buttons.  It was one of those times when after working for a couple of hours, no one, but me, could even tell that I'd done anything. But now I can find things, so I'm happy.  

The above photo shows the breadth of my fabric purchases from Friendship Crossing.  Ann had lots of pre cut pieces in 25, 28, 30, 32, and 34 count.  So with her super sale prices, I decided to stock up. I figure a gal cannot own too much linen.  Is there anything more frustrating that pulling out a chart to stitch and not having the appropriate fabric? 

  

I also replenished my floss with GAST, WDW, Crescent Colors Belle Soie, and Carrie's Creations.

This morning the temperature was perfect.  I watered everything on the back patio, and then moved to the north-facing front porch.

The morning light was very kind to my gardening efforts.   

These coleus glow in front of the salvia.

The ferns and hostas are getting lush too.

More coleus and salvia.  I like the contrast of the coleus with the dark reds and burgundies and the brighter green of the salvias.  

This fuchsia was putting on a show.

More contented ferns.  Our cool wet May and June has made for a "good fern" summer.

One last photo of the cool, quiet morning.

Eye Candy

First up - new fabric - oh, I could happily sit and stare at this array all day!

From left to right: Desert Sand, WDW Carrot, Antique Pink, R & R Dye Pot Blend, Prairie Grain, Edinburgh Flax, and WDW Pumpkin...

Can you tell I have autumnal themes in mind for some of these?

Outside the colors are very different. 

Today I bring you Salvia patens.

Salvia patens - Cambridge Blue

Salvia patens - Blue Angel

Salvia patens - Lavendar Lady

And this penstemon fits my theme too!

Penstemon - Electric Blue

Sunny Saturday?

Fabric Purchases

How is it that no matter how big one's stash, one never has the fabric needed for a new start?  In an effort to remedy that short-coming, I purchased some linen which arrived yesterday.  I have a nice selection now including 18th Century Stone from R & R, Straw from WDW, Coffee Bean, Tumbleweed, Flax, Clay, French Lace, and Light Mocha.  Now I'm ready for most anything, right?

  

Sedum

It is supposed to be about 80 degrees today, but thus far you'd not think it possible.  It is a cool - almost cold, grey morning.  I will hope for the best as today is the final day of the NCAA Track and Field Championships and there are also oodles of School Graduation parties and events!

Matthew High School Graduation Photo

Fibers and Fabric

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late - it's been a busy day!

I dodged rain showers all day, and just now - 8:00pm west coast time -  managed to finish potting up a flat of plants.  So I'm still on schedule to be done before the new sales this weekend.

For your stitching enjoyment - some of my newest purchases below: 

Valdani

Recent fabric purchases - including the Teal I used for "Variegated Green Sampler" 

New Fabrics - Adding to My Stash

I have plans, plans and more plans...thus the mondo fabric purchase which wended its way to my doorstep yesterday.  I've spent the past week or so flipping through past issues of  the "Just Cross Stitch" ornament issues.  To say I was inspired...crazed...in over my head would be an understatment!  

There is no way that I will get everything done before Christmas, but even so I can admire all the colors:

Hog Wild Blue, Fitzgerald Red, Sheep's Straw, Stormy Grey, Ice Blue, Cafe Kona, Moss Green, Espresso, Summer Khaki, Iced Cappuccino, Rue Green, Lambswool, 18th Century Brown, and Carol's Buttercrunch.

There is poetry in the names!