A Taste of Things to Come............

Sissinghurst

.............with these chilly mornings and evenings, reminding us that sadly, summer is on its way out and Autumn is just around the corner.

As much as I love the change of seasons, I'm not yet ready for Autumn. 

I still yearn for a few more weeks of warm, balmy days, wearing sandals and dresses, without the dark and stormy skies and the threat of rain, and without the cool winds which, yesterday evening when walking the dog, were so sharp that I could almost have done with a warm hat. In August.

At least these cooler days are perfect for gardening. I have neglected our garden this year - my excuses have been its either too wet, too hot, not at home, or just simply not in the mood. 

But now its cooled down a bit I have at last found my gardening mojo - just a tad too late for summer plants but ideal for weeding and clearing borders, and adding a few new plants for late summer and early Autumn. 

So today that's what I've done - weeded and cleared borders, and whilst I was in the garden I had company in the form of this dragonfly, which seemed to like perching on the sundial. It kept flying off then returning to the same place.

Now that I've cleared some of the borders, I need to put in a few new late summer /early autumn flowering plants. 

On our walk this evening we picked up a few from a plant stall set down a quiet country lane outside someones house, which I'd spotted earlier today on the morning walk. 

We went armed with cash and carrier bags and came back with these three lovely beauties for a fiver.

Two Rudbekias - I think?

Aren't they gorgeous?

And the most beautiful dark orange dahlia (or is this a chrysanthemeum? The flower says dahlia to me but the foliage more chrysanthemum like?).

We also picked a few windfall cooking apples from the orchards. 

The farmers are starting to get the crates ready in some of the orchards, so it won't be long before they pick some of the varieties.

The last few evenings we've been picking more blackberries too, which around here in Kent have been ready for weeks - we spotted our first ripe blackberries back at the end of July.

. These photos with the first few ripe ones were taken on the 30th July - much earlier than last year. 

So we've been picking them on and off throughout August. 

Perfect to go with the apples. 

Just love blackberry and apple crumble!

I still have a Sissinghurst post to do, following on from my last post.

Sissinghurst

But I'll share a couple more photos now as this is what made me think of buying those particular plants today - this lovely display in one of the gardens at Sissinghurst, my favourite from this visit - the hot borders, all reds, yellows and oranges - they were stunning.

Sissinghurst

Sissinghurst

More next post!

Of Cushions and Days Out......

Good grief, where has the time gone since my last post?!!

It certainly has gone in the blink of an eye, and I guess that's because everyday seems full on at the moment, but in a good, holidayish way. Having Bella at home means we're trying to make the most of our time.

We've been out and about lots this last week or two, and the few days I've been at home I've been sewing or pottering in the garden, or we've been baking.

On the creative front, I've made several new cushions including this one........

now with a quilted heart in the centre square

..........made from original 1930s - 1950s feedsack fabrics, hand pieced and hand quilted, with a vintage French blue and cream checked reverse...............

................and this pretty pink vintage French floral one, with a recycled work shirt reverse.

  

Finally, I have a work in progress.........

.......this star made from a pinkish red vintage dress fabric, and recycled work shirt, which has been hand pieced (epp) and is now awaiting the next stage - being appliqued onto a piece of natural linen, then made up into..........yes, of course, it has to be another cushion!

Both finished cushions are now available to buy in my Etsy shop.

The best of the days out have been Eastbourne Airborne, an airshow at the seafront this past weekend, and a visit to Sissinghurst Castle in Kent.

I shall do a separate post on these later in the week once I've sorted out the photos properly, but here's a taster from Sissinghurst.............

Sissinghurst

I hope you are all having good summer holidays, either at home or away, and enjoying some sunshine.

I must apologise that my blog visiting has been rather sporadic these last few weeks - I have so many blogs to catch up with so if I haven't paid you a visit for a while, I will do very soon! 

Sissinghurst

In the meantime, thank you for taking the time to visit me here, and for all your lovely comments - I do so enjoy reading them!

Hotchpotch

A hotchpotch of vintage and recycled fabrics made into patchwork cushions. 

The vintage green and white gingham came from an old tea time tablecloth picked up from the Friday Antique and Flea market a few months ago, and as it had lots of holes in the middle I decided it was better upcycled, and the original embroidery now adds a pretty decorative feature to the back of the cushion.

The blue and green leaves fabric on one of the cushions is a vintage Liberty cotton, and the golden yellow roses are a 1950s vintage sheet fabric. This cushion has the large faded red check back.

The other cushion, with the green gingham back, features a lovely green print from the 1960s or 70s sourced from Switzerland.

Both are now available in my Etsy shop. 

Thank you all for your comments on my last post. Hope you've all had a good week whatever the weather - heavy rain here this morning and overnight. I can't believe another week has gone by already!

Wishing you all a Happy Weekend!