Summer in the studio and garden.

This Summer has allowed me more time to spend in the studio than I usually get, 

 and I have been able to get projects 

completed and new ones started.

Early, early this season, I was able to make another peony wreath. 

I used peonies and hydrangeas that I had dried

last Summer. 

I wasn't able to get as many cut this year as I had cut last

year and so I wanted to save this season's for using around the house this Winter.

This new wreath is hanging in the reading room.

One day last week I had the 4 year old twins,
and so while they were doing this...

I was doing this...

And then I sewed these up while I was on a roll.

The pillow below I sewed up in June.

As you can see I still have plenty of fabric for a lot more sewing projects.

A friend of mine put together a lovely quilt top for me from some of my stash,
and now I want to put together a couple more quilt tops from most of
this fabric on the second shelf.

Here's a few shots around the studio this week.

Jars of vintage lace and other bits for fabric collages.
(and this is just a fraction of it)
I'll be the 90 year lady old they find buried in her own stash of vintage laces.

Hey undertaker...I'm definitely takin' them with me!!!

And something to make me smile as I look up from the sewing machine.
A little music box I bought when I worked at the garden center from a Christmas past.

The studio loft is full of extra supplies and my decorating books and magazines.
The peonies in the bucket are still peonies left over from last Summer too.

Since I will be going to my favorite little shop 'Rebecca's' this Labor Day
weekend, I thought I would show you what I bought the last time I was there on the
Fourth of July.

I seemed to have been drawn to mostly the trims and millinery bits.
Oh yes, and buttons. Always buttons.

I loved these green velvet grapes (berries ?).

A little booklet of pretty illustrations and more millinery.

I loved this little floral hair piece.

I also loved the crocheted buttons and lace collar.

 


I have been wanting a comfortable sewing chair for some time, but knew I wanted something
cute as well as functional. I was so happy to see this pretty little matelasse slip covered
chair that now sits here in my studio.
Love it!!!

I also came home with this cool aqua architectural piece.
Funny that the iron piece behind it also came from Rebecca's about two or
so years ago.

I am looking forward to seeing Rebecca and Laura again this coming weekend,
and see what more I can add to my to my ever growing 'Rebecca stuff' stuff!


Outside the studio I have some little iron baskets hanging from the front wall that
are planted with pansies. I have been surprised that they have done so well
against this wall all Summer, even in the past two weeks of hot, hot, hot.

A little story about this siding on the studio...

When we owned a small farm and dairy in our early marriage,
on it was a little henhouse where the farmer's before us had raised
hens and where I then raised about 25 hens while our children were growing up.
Actually, by today's standards of our backyard coops now it was huge at 10'X 14'.

Anyway, as I was saying,
I couldn't bear to leave it behind when we left the dairy, so Dale moved it to the place
that we were moving to. Our children then promptly cleaned it up (ha)
and made a playhouse for themselves.
 (yes they had had all their shots) and we knew nothing of bird flu then))

Then when we moved here, I couldn't leave it behind again,
so Dale moved it again and used it as a tack shed
since our children were all grown up by then.
It had seen better days, but had many memories wrapped up in it,
so when we redid the shed in the back for the studio,
we ( we, meaning Dale) dissembled
the henhouse and sided the studio.

Now,
I think this just may give you a clue into my personality
and why I hold on to
so many unnecessary 'things'.
I hoard memories...and stuff that hold them!

Stargazer lilies in front of the studio.

And finally a few pictures of the garden blooms.

Even though the Shasta daisies are done blooming I wanted to show a photo of how
pretty they were this year for those who don't see my garden blog.

Then there's the beebalm.

I love, love, love echinacea (or coneflower).

SO easy to grow...a caveman could do it!!!

Here is a variety I bought and planted last year called 'Double Decker'.

I'm guessing it was a caveman who came up with such a clever name too!

This was a couple of weeks ago.

and this is today.

Double Decker indeed!

Should be Party On!!!!

and some pretty roses that I can't keep from photographing.

Gosh, I was long winded today!
If I would post more, I wouldn't have to talk so much.
Well---maybe.
Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead!