Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays!

Welcome December

May the footprints that lead to your door bring joy and happiness...

There's a New Kid In Town

What tantalizing treasures lie beyond these chartreuse doors?

Housed in an historic building that was once the post office in the late 1800's the double doors and gorgeous display windows provide a perfect setting for offerings that lie within...

 The anticipation of what the lass has gathered is building as we await the shop's opening which is coming soon...

In the meantime I'm being amused by my lumina pumpkin that has developed a tail ... courtesy of the antics of a squirrel enjoying the seeds inside.

Prelude To Autumn

The darkness lingers longer in the early morning...

Along the tree line in the acreage at the back the flocks of starlings have begun their nightly ritual of high pitched birdsong.

The transition to another season is at hand...

Though the long, hot days of August are just a recent memory amidst the pickle canning, jam making and sauce cooking it is the simplicity of September and beyond I joyfully anticipate...

There have been auctions to work as well and hidden treasures to discover...

Several such goodies have me daydreaming just how I'll put them to wonderful use...

Looks like I have some tiny shoes to fill...

Garden Delights

There is much in the garden at this mid-summer time to delight and enchant one's spirit...

The sunflowers are heavy with seed, drying in the sun... soon to be pillaged by the cardinals and blue jays, finding this sweet temptation too much to resist...

The fruits and vegetables are abundant signaling a bountiful harvest...

There are human enhancements too...

A bunting made from scraps of vintage and antique fabrics, buttons and embroidery inspired by imagination...

A perfect way to indulge in the charm of the garden causing one to linger longer and enjoy its glory...

* Bunting designed and created by Barbara Gledhill
* Vintage and antique textiles supplied by Susan McShannon-Monteith
* Inspired by Julie Arkell
* Upcoming classes to create one's own bunting at Stitch.

Friendship

 After several weeks of delay...

due to rain we finally had our 'Country Faire'

Amidst the backdrop of vintage and antique quilts the circle of friendship was indulged and shared...

I'd like to extend a sincere thank you to Jocelyn for lending her lush back lawn to the vendors...

Doris for her wonderful photography and of course the ladies and gentlemen that participated...

And a special note to Barbara my little pixie friend that provided plenty of encouragement...

There are whispers of another faire in the Fall... we shall see.

Celebrations

The lushness of the garden in its brilliant shades of chartreuse, verdigris, lime and teal must be similar to what Dorothy chanced upon following the yellow brick road to the Emerald City...

The enchantment of such beauty has encouraged us to have a 'Country Faire'.

Along with the Anniversary celebrations at Stitch in the historic village of Jordan there will be an 'Airing of the Quilts'. A stunning collection of vintage and antique quilts hung throughout the gardens for all to see...

Tables featuring wonderful works by local artisans, tantalizing goodies, vintage collectables and antique textiles and lace...

will be available to browse and purchase...

Please join us Saturday June 29th (rain date Sunday June 30th) from 11 to 4 at Stitch...

Alluring

There is so much to stir our senses during this time of renewal but there is little to compare with the scent that awakens in the orchards in Spring...

The lingering fragrance that erupts from the lacey edged  blossoms evokes the imagination...

It lures the bees, hither and fro as the trees begin buzzing with activity...

I am most grateful to experience this wonderful time each year and anticipate the fruit that shall result from such loveliness...

Contentment

A gentle rain lingers outside, thankfully replacing the snowflakes...

The birdsong is rich, echoing from the thicket, filling the woods and captivating all who pause to listen... the promise of Spring has finally arrived.

I've been busy creating little pinkeeps and vignettes for an upcoming Quilt show at month's end...

Please come and join us at the Royal Botanical Gardens April 27th & 28th for Quilts in the Garden featuring the Halton Quilters Guild with antique quilts, vendors booths and of course wonderful handwork...

Stop by and visit Jocelyn at Stitch in the Atrium ... perhaps one of my birdie whimsies will flutter into your heart...

Soon

The month of March has arrived here as a new born lamb... quietly, much like the passage of time.

The Tundra swans have returned by the hundreds to the upper Niagara River on their annual migration to the far north...

The highly vocal birdsong is filling the garden in anticipation of Spring soon to burst forth in all her glory.

Once again the earth shall awaken from its slumber inviting us to share the warmth and beauty of the sunshine, the smell of fresh turned soil and the fragrance of the blooming blossoms...

I think I'll wrap myself in a cozy quilt, pull up a chair and await the splendor...

Sanctuary

Beyond the inviting big door lies a paradise of sorts...

Upon entry one is greeted by the tranquility of their surroundings and the colours that beckon, luring you to explore further ...

There is a group of women seated at the tables in the back around the hearth.
Among them are widows, divorced, singles and others escaping from their husbands for the day...

But these women are special, they are connected by a common thread... a sharing of ideas, of wisdom and fellowship, exchanging tales of everyday life...

The generous  shopkeeper  has enhanced the coziness with the aroma of homemade soup warming on the stove in the wee kitchen at the rear...

Watching a sweet pixie friend with her systematic folding of fabric is hypnotic making one feel sedate...

The always smiling young helper is cutting fat quarters with precision and expertise ...

I am listening to the voice of the lass teaching the class which is full of information she is sharing with those that have come to learn...

This is a sanctuary, a place where I feel welcome and there is always a listening ear or a warm embrace ... not to mention a hot cup of tea and a treat for the sweet tooth too.

Wherever you find your sanctuary may it hold a special place in your heart...

Winter Simplicity

Somehow January seems to have evaporated allowing February to flutter in...

There's nothing quite like the beauty and tranquility of  soft new fallen snow...

 
Just at dawn before the sunlight has fully awakened the tantalizing blanket of white stirs memories of fun filled tobogganing, skating on the pond and creating angels...

And now I'll slip back inside having retrieved what I came out here for to a warm fire in the hearth...