September Mantel

I am most definitely feeling a subtle Autumnal vibe these days, it is seeping slowly but surely into my consciousness as I go about my daily business. At the end of last week when I went to the market to purchase flowers (I had bright zingy dahlias in mind), I came home instead with these beautifully seasonal Chinese Lanterns. Aren't they stunning?

Coming home from the market with a paper wrapped parcel of floral goodies always delivers such a big dose of feel-good. The whole process of unwrapping, admiring, snipping and arranging is hugely therapeutic and I really like that no plastic is involved too. I wish there was more paper wrapping in the world!

I have a nostalgic attachment to these unusual flowers (are they flowers? Or seed heads? Or fruits?) as my Mum used to grow them every year in her garden. She would bring great armfuls of them into the house to display in jugs and they last a surprisingly long time.

I just LOVE the shot of brilliant colour these three stems bring to the room, that orange is stunning in real life it really is. I keep finding myself surprised by them being there, they leap out at me every time I walk through the door, shouting a big HELLO from across the room.

Oooooooooooooo now then, did you by any chance take your eyes away from the orange lanterns and gaze along my mantel to see what else was there? Did you notice my most gorgeously gorgeous painted driftwood sculpture?? Want to see more??

Ta-dah!!!!! I totally forgot to share this with you when it arrived in the Attic in the summer. Isn't it superbly wonderful? Ahhhhhhhhhhh I love it so so so much ♥

See it even has my number on the door as it was made especially for me. It's the work of talented artist Kirsty Elson  who's work I am completely smitten with. I first heard about Kirsty over on Julia's blog and I instantly tumbled head over heels in love with her driftwood sculptures. Of course it was a dead cert that I would love her work as it combines two of my favourite-most-favourite things :: little houses and the seaside. I adore the jaunty little boats she makes, but it was the driftwood cottages that really stirred my heart. Actually to use the word "stirred" is bit under parr as my heart more or less tries to leap clear of my body when I clap eyes on these sweet little pieces of beach art. I experience such an emotional response to them, kind of like wanting to laugh and cry at the same time, do you know what I mean?

Anyhow, overwhelming feelings in response to creativity are something I am quite used to, and I know that I have to simply go with it. So when I was skipping through Kirsty's blog one day and saw this post, I found myself practically hyperventilating. Not only did I spot those sweet little cottages of hers, but some of the sweet little cottages had washing lines attached........and the miniature washing was all stripy and dotty!!!!!!! Jeepers, I nearly fell off my stool!!

So that was how I came to commission my very own driftwood beauty, complete with dotty-stripy laundry, and I love it very much.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, did you also spot something else on my mantel, something bright and colourful and of a decidedly hooky nature? Actually, you may have spotted three of them sitting sweetly together next to the yellow vase? These pretty little hooky things have some floral decorative bits look........

.........and they were one of my impulsive Must-Make-It-Right-This-Instant projects way back in April. Yes April! That's five months ago!! Oh dear, it seems that I've gotten unbelievably behind with my Ta-dah-ing, it's quite a disgrace.

I'm going to try over the next week to bring myself up to date with all my hooky happenings. Off the top of my head I've got at least three finished, un-shared projects to sing and dance about, so there's going to be a bit of a Hooky-fest coming to the Attic next week. Hope that's ok with you?

See you then, it's going to be fun!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps Look out for a special colour-filled post over the wkend to do with yarn colours an' all. Cos I know all you addicts are desperate to know what's staying and what's going. You know what I'm talking about, right? x

 

 

 

 

Comments

[heather]

Hi Lucy - the picture on the wall behind Kirsty's piece of awesomeness...who is the artist???? Cheers, heather x

[Luli]

Hi miss Lucy my name is Luli. I am 9 years old and I can crochet. when did you start to crochet? anyway your makings are very very beautiful!

[Diane]

Wow. I am a new person to blogs (yes, Me: Resistor-of-Social-Technology) and your place has sent me over the moon. I KNEW there had to be other people who worship color!!!!! Here in Amish farmland, I search for color and creativity everywhere, especially in people. Coming up short. Sigh. So, thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do to brighten my world!

[Mo - North East Scotland]

Hoping all is well with you and your lovely family Lucy. Haven't heard from you all week, and as you did hint that 'things' would be moving along, I have become a trifle concerned at no words having appeared.
Wishing you all love and wellness
Mo xhugx

[Katie]

I'm coming back to say my husband saw me swooning over the lanterns and he's going to plant some for me! I sure hope they take. Until then I will salivate over yours.

[Shannon]

Lovely post, I am especially taken with that little driftwood house and laundry line; thank you for posting the link. Definitely swoon-worthy!

[Leah]

Hi Lucy, I just found your blog & bookmarked it already! I crochet and like your pieces. The color combinations are lovely. Also, I've worked so many hrs this yr my apt is a wreck and I feel inspired by your posts I can do something besides feel overwhelmed. Thank you for that! :) Leah

[Saara]

Hi, I love your blog! I've been reading it for almost 2 years now after a friend suggested I might like it and I did. It's the touch of real life that i love. And the natural cheerfulness you seem to possess! It's a gift. I wish you all the best!

[Lolotte]

Do you know, Lucy, that over here, in France, the Chinese lanterns are called "L'Amour en cage"...basically, lLove in little cages...Isn't it nice to know that you've got little pods of love on your mantlepiece? XXX

[Claire B Stevo]

Awesome driftwood sculpture - very enviable! x

[Leslie Denvir]

Hi Lucy. Leslie here in Chicago. I love your Japanese Flower scarf and am having a hard time finding the pattern. If I buy the Motif 4 book in Japenese will I be able to understand the directions? I have knitted for years but I am teaching myself crochet with the help of tutorials like yours. Thanks for your help. Leslie

[Sangeetha]

Hi! I just LOOOOOVE your blog. You have inspired me to make my own blanket and maybe also start my own blog! I can see that you really love colours. A visit to your page is a real pick me up when I'm feeling dull. Yours photos are just too good.
Regards from India.

[Bianca]

Hello Lucy,
I really love your blog.
I never post a comment because my english is not very good. I love to hook, and I just started a blanket (I did smal projects only). But i have got a problem. It's a granny stripe. and it's growing. not only in length but he is getting wider. I started with a greater hook in the first row, because I know that I hook very tight. What can I do....

Greetings Bianca (from the Netherlands)

[angela-southern USA]

SOOO very pretty!I'll have to look for some lanterns now.Made me laugh when i saw your russian dolls.I'd seen some wood ones on-line and thought,wouldn't that be great crocheted.I've also been gearing up for fall,crocheted a bowl full of candy corn:)So bright and cheery.Have a good weekend!

[shizukata]

I am a Japanese. I have a look at your blog using translation software. It is very wonderful blog.

[Angy Braine]

Wowsers! That little driftwood piece is soooo cute! Thank you for sharing your colourful mantel with us. Most inspiring! We (her in Oz) arewlcoming in Spring and Summer - the air is a buzz with heady scents and stunning colour! Your home certainly inspires... Thanks for sharing! xx

[maypole]

I love the colours in your home. I also love Kirsty's work. I bought some printed note cards of her collages, they are just superb and I am always loathe to write on them to send away. I

[Donna Kuhn]

LOVE THE LANTERN FLOWERS!!!! Tried to grow them once from seed and had no luck her in FL. Maybe I should give it another go??? Seeing them in the green & orange stages is quite inspiring! Speaking of inspiring, I like the rest of us cannot WAIT!!!! To see the new yarn colors. Not to mention what your new project might be??? Lucy you bring out the creative side of all of us. Have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!
Sending you warm FL sunshine. :o)

[Claire]

love the chinese lanterns, gorgeous colours, must hunt these down as I've never seen them before x

[Moos]

Thank you everytime for letting me having a peak in your colourfull little world. I would not call it little myself .... you are a big inspiration to a lot of us. For me personally you help me to never forget there is a world beside to all the things I HAVE and MUST do. A world to enjoy and appreciate with lots of colours! From Amsterdam thank you for that!!!!

PS: I can understand why you are proud of your driftwood house. It is gorgeous!!!!

[Jane]

Aaarrgggh - I still don't know which colour is going! Well no good - I will just have to go off and do some crafting to distract myself. xx

[Heather Thorp]

So exciting!!! Can't wait for more x

[Alita]

hermosa tu repisa pero lo que más me gustó es la banderita de Argentina en la soga (celeste-blanca-celeste) :)
saludos Alita

[heidi]

your post is an eyefull! would love to see the 3 lil ladies a bit closer... they do look quite content up there on your mantle. how on earth did you keep this secret so long?
i did take a peek over at kirsty´s blog ... ALL her things are just lovely, arent they? the cottages reminded me of the row of townhouses i made way back from old leftover wood pieces... i LOVE the clotheslines! so sweet.
i would dry the lanterns on their branches and leave them all winter long. havent gotten a hold of any as yet this year, though. i am amazed at your camera and that you have the ability to take such wonderfully clear, intense color photos!
am SO CURIOUS and can hardly wait for the hooky-fest and revealing of lil Bs color choice! xoxo

[Jenny]

Can't wait for more hooky projects!

Love love love <3