Gypsy Rose and my 400th post
11/02/2015 § 14 Comments
400 posts – W O W …
By far the most popular post on my little blog followed my progress with Gypsy Rose, a colourful crochet blanket made of granny squares and a wide multi-coloured border, back in 2012. I remember finishing the final shell border whilst sitting in the car, waiting for Himself to stock up at the local supermarket, after we’d travelled down to Cornwall for the half-term holiday. It seems like a lifetime away.
Gypsy Rose crochet blanket
The border in what I called Tweed Stitch, has attracted SOoooo much attention from when it was first photographed in this post “Between the Lines” …
Tweed Stitch
Gypsy Rose now lives in one of our bedrooms, where I have my desk, and makes me smile every day. Life is nothing without colour!
Four hundred posts – Four Happy Things …
***1*** The Garden – I’m ultra excited about rediscovering the garden, following the recent landscaping team’s efforts! Today I treated myself to a rambling rose called Albertine. I’ve wanted one for years and for no particular reason had never got round to actually making the purchase. The collies and I took a short jaunt this afternoon, to Pococks Roses. Out went a poor old rose that I’ve never particularly liked, in front of the house and now, my beloved Albertine is planted to one side of the porch where I’m hoping it will thrive and scramble over the front of the house, like this one!
Illusions of Grandeur
such a pretty, delicate rose
***2*** House Number – nobody seems to be able to see the little slate house number that’s on our gatepost. So, having picked up the numbers in the Homebase sale, I’ve been on the lookout for a piece of wood to put them on. I wanted something rustic rather than just screwing them into the wall. Yesterday, on my walk through the woods with the girls, I found a perfect offcut left over from some forestry clearance and today I drilled (with my new cordless drill), screwed and hammered (when in doubt, use a hammer) – and here’s the new house number …
Rustic house number sign
I love the sawn ridges in the wood and especially the mossy bark
***3*** Quilt commission – I’m working on a couple of quilt commissions at the moment and today I met up with a lovely lady to chat about her dream quilt – pinks and roses – oh boy, I can’t wait to get started! One very happy way to spend a morning, surrounded with fabrics and having a good ‘ol chat! I’ll let you see the finished quilt in a couple of months!
***4*** Feeling OK-(ish) and not unhappy – some regular readers will know that my life changed dramatically last October … here … I haven’t blogged about the day to day challenges but family and friends have never been more important and I think I’m doing OK. One tip I’ll share is that if you ever have a friend who’s going through a difficult time, bake them something. Everyone asks if they can do something to help and I hope I’ve thanked everyone on whom we all leaned so very heavily in those first early days and weeks.
When one of my friends asked what she could do, I said “Please make us a shepherd’s pie”. It was enormous and despite not feeling hungry, we all cut slabs and enjoyed some good old-fashioned comfort food. My best friend kept us supplied with teas and coffees, bread and essentials then arrived with a wonderful homemade Victoria Sponge. Never have I been so grateful for friends who are awesome cooks! It’s easy to feel a bit guilty about feeling happy – or at least not unhappy.
Well, that’s a long 400th post. Well done if you’ve got this far and do, please let me know you’re out there by leaving a comment – I love to read your comments. I’ll hand back to Flora to do a picture-post next time!
Lots of love
Adaliza x
*CONGRATS*!!
BTW, Love the Quilt! A LOT of work!! — hmm..there’s still moss on that bit of wood.. CUTE!
😀
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Well done on your 400th post. I remember the one about the beautiful crocheted blanket. Friends – bless them. Glad to hear your not unhappy. Keep adding a breath of fresh air to your followers. Love to Flora too, woof woof to the collies xx
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400th post – WOW! I came on board around “Gypsy Rose” time and i still think it’s exquisite.
I’m pleased to hear that you landed on your feet after your sad loss in October. In addition to the support of family and friends I agree that keeping our hands busy (the more color, the better) and finding contentment puttering around house and garden is great therapy.
Keep on sewing, crocheting, knitting, gardening, etc………..
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So glad you’ve chosen an Albertine rose – they are so beautiful! My grandmother, parents, uncles and aunts all had Albertines – and when they moved house, they took cuttings with them – and new Albertines flourished with them. Sadly I can’t grow one in my current home (beside the sea in Northumberland – too salty, too windy). I’m sure it is a choice signifying good flourishing things for you!
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Well, I’m hoping it will like our chalky hillside in Winchester. I had no idea you could take cuttings – I’ll have them everywhere! It’s a bit like my Grandfather’s Lily – in a previous post – that has moved and flourished with everyone for over 80 years.
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Thank you!
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Flora and the collies send quacks and woofs, respectively! xxx
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That mossy offcut that I picked up off the woodland floor where they’d been clearing the scrub and a few trees just had to come home with me – love it!
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Congrats on your 400th post!! That is quite something. I have loved your Gypsy Rose it makes me smile too, so beautiful. I’m loving your garden pictures. Can’t wait to see your new rose blooming in it. Roses are the best. Can’t wait for spring!
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I’m so glad to see you back blogging, and my heart is with you as you find a new normal. I’m absolutely in love with your blanket. I want to make one just like it! Much love from beautiful West Michigan, USA.
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Ummm, I’ve explored a little and LOVE your Misty Morning blanket! I am part Welsh, and have had it drummed in my head by my half-Welsh mother that the Welsh is the most important part of me! So beautiful.
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It’s very special, being Welsh – or part Welsh. When I hear the National Anthem played at the beginning of rugby matches, I’m always in tears. It’s those Celtic roots, I think – they’re sort of mystical!
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I’m impatient to sort out this garden but even though the groundworks have been done, there’s MASSES still to do – and then there’s the quilts!
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Congratulations on your 400th post, that’s an amazing achievement! That’s a lovely rose and your new numbers look so good too! I’m glad you have such good friends who are excellent cooks too! Sarah x
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