Wednesday, September 26, 2007

SEASONAL PURSUITS.....

As the seasons change, so naturally do my pursuits....... From the very early days of spring and almost until the chill of winter sets in, callers to my house will often find a small notice hanging on my front door stating that ‘I’M IN THE GARDEN’ and so it goes, throughout that blissful gardening season, this is where I can be found.

However, as colder days encroach now and the turn of the season is upon us, I’ve already felt the desire to engage in indoor pursuits, particularly on the recent rainy days we’ve had! So, I’ve resisted no longer, my sewing machine has been dusted off, I’ve made a start, and I’m loving it. I will add that I’m not an accomplished sewer, but I do love being creative and my simple efforts so far have pleased me.

First I made a valance to dress the French windows in the kitchen. I used a prettily embroidered table cloth, bought from the local charity shop, cut off the borders, stitched them together then lined it. I will say, I did this with an apology in my heart for the dear person who must have spent many hours working on it, however, my thoughts are that I will now appreciate her work every day as I busy myself in the kitchen, better that, than it remaining folded, and tucked away in a drawer, not to see the light of day for months on end.

Full of enthusiasm, my next project followed soon after and I made this simple, but effective little gingham curtain to put in front of corner shelves John had fixed in my dressing room. I’m so pleased, for the curtain has now transformed the shelves into a pretty corner dressing table and, there was just enough fabric left to make matching curtain tiebacks too.




18 comments:

Susie said...

Now aren't you the clever one, to breathe new life into a charity shop find! The embroidery on your valance is just beautiful and you will enjoy it every single day!
Your dressing table skirt just looks so crisp and cheery. Those tie backs pull the whole looks together.
Looks like a nice place for a kitty hiding place :)
xo

Anonymous said...

Marion, what a charming little corner! I love it and I'm sure you will enjoy using it. Also love the valance! Keep up the good work. Maybe you can come across the pond and help me redo my bedroom?

Alice said...

You may not think you can sew very well, but you certainly are creative. It would have been a crying shame to hide away that beautiful tablecloth border - it's not the most attractive valance for all to see.

There is something so refreshing about gingham, isn't there? You've made such a pretty little corner there.

I'm glad you've decided to tackle these crafty pursuits and I look forward to seeing the results of many more wintery days.

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

Gorgeous!! I love them both!! You are very creative. You have to be able to look at something and say it needs to be made into this..so that makes you CREATIVE!! Both works are great!! i love them both. Thanks for sharing them with us..
Sandy...Blessings

Jewels said...

Hi Marion,

What a beautiful part of the world you live in. Thanks for sharing it here! (My mom told me about your blog) Julia

Lynn said...

Marion, you are so creative! I love gingham.

We're still having hot and humid weather and the "curling up with a winter project" hasn't really hit me yet. But hopefully it won't be long. I'm so tired of the heat!

Alice said...

OH, FOR GOODNESS SAKE, MARION, DELETE THAT EARLIER COMMENT. Of course, I meant to say 'now' instead of 'not'. I'm so sorry. Below is what I really meant to say.


You may not think you can sew very well, but you certainly are creative. It would have been a crying shame to hide away that beautiful tablecloth border - it's NOW the most attractive valance for all to see.

There is something so refreshing about gingham, isn't there? You've made such a pretty little corner there.

I'm glad you've decided to tackle these crafty pursuits and I look forward to seeing the results of many more wintery days.

Reflection Through The Seasons said...

Dear Alice.....
Of course I knew what you meant to say, I just thought it so funny! Your comments are always a joy to receive, you are a ‘thinking’ person and I’m always interested in what you have to say. I’m still chuckling about it! Marion

LAUREN at Faith Fuel said...

Marion-
Charity shop finds are the best! They are dying to be made over- made new.
Now I'll have to go searching around my house and see what I can "do up" on the machine (that I do not know how to use very well either).
I've got some gorgeous red toile fabric, a bit faded, and it's crying out for me to make it into something marvelous. Thanks for the inspiration!

Willow said...

I agree that taking a find like that and changing it to a valance that you will look at every day is much better than pulling it out of the drawer once in a while. If I had embroidered it, I would think so, anyway. It's really lovely over the window in the kitchen.

Kerri said...

The embroidered tablecloth makes a delightful valance Marion...much better than a having a tablecloth stored away.
The green gingham looks so fresh and pretty with the little mirror and the fairy border. What a sweet corner you and John have made between you.
I've posted a picture of your Four O'Clocks blooming :) They bloom at 9 in the morning, not 4 in the afternoon as I expected! They're an annual, right? I love them, especially because they make me thing of you.

Betty said...

Dear Friend Marion,
I'm just now Friday morning, 12:20 am catching up on blog reading.....one of 'those' nights.....

You had shown me the beautiful valance but not the dressing table....it's gorgeous....I envy the dressing room, not covet, but I surely would like to have one like it....You are very talented and creative .......Betty

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

What a pretty little valance for your kitchen. I love embroidery so this is right up my street. Gingham is something that always works great whether for upholstery, curtains, sheets or tablecloths.

Anonymous said...

Well that just looks so lovely. You certainly have wonderful taste. Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,
Connie

Anonymous said...

Hi Marion

I think that your sewing efforts look terrific and you are quite right to think that it is better to cut up a treasured piece and use it in a new way than leave it hidden in a drawer.

Marie x

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Marion, your flowered valance is so pretty - that was a wonderful way to use the tablecloth. I agree, it's so much nicer to have something pretty like that out in plain view whenever possible. And the gingham looks fresh and lovely. I like your pink and green scheme there. I also see you are a tidy person; everything is in its place and even in the original boxes!

Tea said...

Beautiful curtain Marion! And I love your little corner :)

tea
xo

Sigrun said...

Wonderful, Marion! Thats Britain for me!

Sigrun