Seeds to grow

Many years ago I used to feel out of synch... then I discovered the pagan wheel of the year. I rediscovered the seasons and their meaning. I found out why I love autumn...


My Halloween / Samhain thought list:

* I will think back over the year past, read old journal entries, be glad for what I have, learn from my mistakes...



*"On the night of Samhain the veil between the spiritual world and the physical world is at it's thinnest. " So I know those who are gone are hovering just over my shoulder, helping me daily and giving me little pointers, little visions...

* I will fill the house with squashs and pumpkins and branches, leaves and seeds from our walks.

*I have a new notebook to list everything I want to achieve next year. It will slowly fill ... and come february I will be ready to start acting on it... I call the list my 'seeds to grow'...

* I have new candles to burn.

crunch crunch crunch, the leaves underfoot.

autumn sowing / sewing

Yesterday I did some autumn sowing in my kitchen garden. Some broad beans behind the lavendar... and some spinach in the pots by my back door. I am not sure you are supposed the do the gardening in a white slip, wrinkly grey wool tights and a pair of pink kiddie shoes... but hey, the shoes do match my gardening gloves...

I love pottering in the garden and I am slowly finding the time to increase our 'homegrown' produce. In spring I will clear more ground and spread out the veg a little. Till then its autumn spinach and broad beans sprouting up outside while I cook up the rest of the apples and cultivate lots of luscious herbs on the window sill inside...

Today I woke early at 5 am and could not sleep longer. I love early morning rising. So I snuck downstairs to finish sewing the Ophelia bag I started so many weeks back. Planning to do some finishing touches after this post. Sigh. Happy weekend. x

More Bill Gibb...

I adore this woodland inspired dress. the dress itself is perfect, the setting, her hair... its like a glimpse through the trees at a magical realm.

Little bumble bee buttons and a whitework embroidery depicting a bee. At some point I will doubtless steal these bee themed ideas for my own creations. How I love them.

Pretty fabric designed in 1977. I love the stance of these birds, one serene and watching the other startled and about to fly. The thistle there I guess for Gibb's Scottish roots.

I hope our trip to the library tomorrow throws some more unexpected published magic my way.

some powder pink fur & green ribbons

Over the weekend I had some fun making this collar. Its knitted in powder pink Jaegar fur which was on offer at my local yarn store. I bought it in other colours too - woodland green and light fawn. I couldn't resist.

Finished it with thrift shop lace and two vintage button box buttons - one wooden heart, one shiny mother of pearl. It also looks very cute on Baby J , but she wouldn't stand still to have her photo taken ;-)

And a while back I had knitted this lace effect collar in leftover creamy yarn. I finally finished it with a striking greenest green ribbon and some more thrifted lace. It is kind of inspired by the Elizabethian collars in the 16th century. Because I guess Elizabeth I is kind of my favourite historical character. " I may not be a lion but i have a lion's heart"...

Oh I am very pleased with it. x

Pomegranate & Birthday

Every autumn when I was little my Dad used to bring me a Pomegranate. I love to cut it in two and see the little red juicy seeds. Eating it is a ritual which I like...

It is my Dad's birthday today. I made him a chocolate mint cream cake.

Fashion & Fantasy

I have been reading a biography of fashion designer Bill Gibb. I picked the book up by chance in the library. Gosh its wonderful. Perhaps I was the only one, but I hadn't heard of Bill Gibb. I am so glad I stumbled on this book because it has been quite inspirational. He was influenced by medeavil history, pre-raphaelite paintings, gypsy culture, flowers... his dresses were art. He said he never saw anyone wear one of his designs but he didn't care. He was a true creative soul.
I want to copy some pictures to show you. (I can't find much online.) But here is the above pic for now...
I love to find new inspiration like this.