Friday, November 5, 2010

Painting and Stitching

Bit of an icky day today which means plans for the day have changed slightly. For the last three weeks I have been attacking this portion of the house....
... started off on a step ladder with just a paint scraper, but after about a week of incredibly slow progress I decided there had to be a better way. So, I ordered some scaffolding, borrowed a heat gun, spoke nicely to the weather gods and I've made some headway, to the point where today I am supposed to be finally painting it.
To be very honest, I have to say that by the time I sit down at night, man, I'm pooped. There are days when I'm very definitely ''over'' it, and the only good thing I can think of at the end of the day is, '' atleast I'm getting an awesome tan''!! But there are the other days when I think - not bad, for a stitcher. Mind you, I think I must be the messiest painter that ever was - I have paint all over me from top to toe - a friend called by one day and asked if I was managing to get any paint on the house or had I applied pretty much all of it to myself:)) "Hey", I said - "what's a bit of paint here and there - it comes off with a splash of turps!!"

On the nights when my bones weren't aching (self-inflicted I know, but a little bit of sympathy please!!) I have stitched a little - I've finished all of Jane Austen's quilt stitcheries - here's the last two - Lydia's sweet bonnet...

... and the most gorgeous little parasol...

I've also made some simple little blue cushions for one of the guest rooms - had fun rummaging through the scrap baskets for lots of different blues - some of the fabrics are from quite a few years ago - from when I first started doing patchwork in Geraldine - so as I stitched them together the memories ticked over.

And I've made a start to some Christmas pressies - that's pretty good for me - usually the ''I've made a start'' comment comes about two weeks out from Christmas. Organised or what!!! Fell in love with these buttons that Barb did a few weeks back and knew they would be perfect ...

Also, have you seen Barb's Christmas card stitcheries - they are gorgeous - have a wee look when you get a chance (http://www.theodoracleave.com/) - I had to have some of them too :))

Can I take you on a little wander around the garden? Come on - been dying to show you - it's looking really pretty:) Down the hall way we go - the perfume is divine....

... just to the left is the table and chairs where I sometimes sit with my morning coffee (depending on how much paint I have plastered all over me!)...

... around the fish pond are these...

... and these...
...and these...

...then off we go down the side of the house and the first sweet little roses are blooming...

... apple blossom is possibly my all time favourite flower...

... and then round the back, in the shady parts of the garden are these....

... and these...
... and then coming right back round to the front again and time to go and get a cuppa and CHOCOLATE CAKE cos I've earned it :)))!!!

See you :))
Jenny

9 comments:

By Hoki Quilts said...

I truly have no idea how you do it all. do you ever sleep? Gosh I must be a lazy bod as I don't do half as much as you and your place is just so lovely and the only things flowering here are the blasted weeds (oh the shame of it).
hugs
Miche'le

Elizabeth said...

Boy, I feel exhausted just reading what you have been up to. Your place is looking so nice. Just love your garden, so very tasteful. The purples and pinks are my favourite colours in a garden and I'm trying to stick to those colours. DH's mother, many years ago gave him and planted it a cigaret plantand it is orange - definitely not my colour at all, but, of course I couldn't get rid of it could I.

Simone de Klerk said...

Some lovely projects you are working on! Can't wait to start my Jane Austen, seeing yours again (o:
And you must be in love with where you live. So much beauty in one place!

Heike said...

I love your fotos, they are so lovely. And when I see the sun shining I´m quite jealous. Here in Germany it´s autumn with falling leaves, fog and rain - simply very uncomfortable!
Best regards!
Heike

Unknown said...

Jenny you are just amazing ! Your house is beautiful already and the way you've been going it's going to be even better .

John'aLee said...

I always feel inspired reading your posts! Love the stitcheries!!

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Polk County Jail said...

Painting and stitching are two of my favorite hobbies.

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Stitching is a very good past time, especially if you've done aas beautiful as those stitches.