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
The Chinese Lanterns are boootiful! I, also, am looking forward to all your yarn and "hooky" news.... You inspire me so much, and reading your blog always makes my day! Thank you for all your efforts.
Posted by: Angela Rueb | September 23, 2011 at 07:03 PM
I love your little driftwood house and boat, a super reminder of the summer holidays at the seaside I would say.
My mum grew Chinese lanterns when I was a kid. When they've taken up all the water in the vase, leave them to dry off and they'll last most of the winter. Great for Christmassy decorations.
Posted by: Tasha | September 23, 2011 at 06:16 PM
Lucy, really looking forward to more of your inspiring 'ta-da's - as well as the yarn-colours update! You mentioned in the yarn-fest post that you may let us in on your thoughts regarding colour selection - this would be fascinating so looking forward to that too!
Many thanks for all the inspiration you offer - wonderful wonderful. I'm putting together my first ever hooky blanket - very exciting!
Posted by: Fran in Somerset | September 23, 2011 at 05:45 PM
The Chinese Lanterns made me smile and remember a different life. Back when I was self employed I owned a dried flower business in which I sold great huge bunches of dried plant items and also made arrangements. I miss that life, I love the new things I am doing but I really really miss the loads and loads of Chinese Lanterns I use to have all over the place. Thank you for sharing.
BeBe in very hot sunny Florida
Posted by: BeBe | September 23, 2011 at 05:20 PM
love your mantle. love your hooky more. can't wait to see which colour you "dispose of".
Posted by: pbach1 | September 23, 2011 at 04:31 PM
I know exactly what you mean about un-wrapping a bundle of fresh foliage, its just beautiful beautiful beautiful!!! And that gorgeous drift-wood sculpture is just, well, gorgeous! It remind me of my favourite places in the world, Cornwall and Devon.
Posted by: Kezia | September 23, 2011 at 04:11 PM
Your home is looking just lovely at the moment - really cosy. Your chinese lanturns ate so eyecatching and beautiful as for that cottage...I have just finished a hexi blanket for my daughter who is just about to go off for uni. Take a peek if you get a mo!
You are constant inspiration & I can't wait for the yarn post!
Posted by: Karen | September 23, 2011 at 04:06 PM
Beautiful - I love all the color in your life! :)
Posted by: Mellie | September 23, 2011 at 03:52 PM
Hi Lucy -
Just had to share-
I dreamt about you last night!
I came to your house and knocked on your door and said, Hi Lucy,its me Jennifer from Boise! Could I have some tea?
Then you invited me in and I met your family, we oooohhhed and ahhhhed over your crochet and your cozy blankets - you asked me if I could help you "refresh" your home (because you knew I love doing that) and I asked for a crochet lesson.
Oh, it was soooooo fun. I went in every room and it was so real.
We them walked to your market and picked out some flowers to take home and then I had to go.
It was so real.
Its official - now you are on my bucket list. I want to do this FOR REALS before I die. (It actually made me sad a bit when I woke up because I feel like you are a fast friend that I could never meet in real life - oh that is so sad to me!)
xoxoxox Happy Friday!
Love,Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | September 23, 2011 at 03:23 PM
My neighbor had Chinese Lantern plants when I was growing up. I love those! And that house boat with the wash line is adorable!
Regards from Ohio, USA
Posted by: Lorelei | September 23, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Chinese Lanterns, love them!! I love Kirsty's work too, especially her collage work, your piece is beautiful. I'm on the look out for something for our new bathroom, I might have to treat myself too!
Sally x
Posted by: Sally | September 23, 2011 at 02:47 PM
Dear Lucy,
I love your posts and I have started reading them out loud for my husband when he does the washing up in the evening. He starts grinning too just like I do when I read your posts. You are an inspiration!
Posted by: Edith van der Bol | September 23, 2011 at 02:40 PM
Thank you for introducing Kirsty Elson! Her work is great on all aspects!AriadnefromGreece!
Posted by: Ariadne | September 23, 2011 at 02:16 PM
I was just dipping into The Wonderful Weekend Book the other day ,when I spotted a bit where Elspeth Thompson talks about her friend who removes the lanterns from the plant and threads them onto fairylights. It sounds a bit fiddly and I don't know how fire-proof they would be but it's a lovely idea. Love your blog by the way!
Posted by: Mari Mayhew | September 23, 2011 at 12:04 PM
such a vibrant orange - superb!
Posted by: Crafty Mermaid | September 23, 2011 at 11:19 AM
love that orange in the chines lanterns. Here in South Africa we get those too. But as far as I can remember they are the seed "packets" of gooseberrys. I may be wrong though, but I have seen them growing here. Corn flowers also have those "packets" with seeds in, I love it when they go dry and brittle and you can shake them and they make such a cool rattling sound.
Anyway got way off track, love your homely posts and that sweet little driftwood cottage house!
Posted by: Bonnie | September 23, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Your whole shelf is so lovely. The Chinese Lanterns are brilliant and the driftwood house is so cute.
Posted by: Lindy | September 23, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Oh my goodness! Where do I start? I love your lanterns...
If you ever don't want that sculpture...I will have it in a heartbeat!
And as for the hooky goodness, they are totally gorgeous and I can't wait to see more.
PS - I understand your reaction to creativity. I get that too :)
Posted by: Allyson | September 23, 2011 at 10:23 AM
The picture of your dolls has forced me into adding some crochet flowers to my jar jacket!
Yes, I know, I should have better things to do at nine o'clock in the morning but I couldn't help myself!Soooooooo looking forward to your next posts - you are brilliant at keeping us up to date with all your happenings. Whatever next for you? I think there is a book in the making there - how about a TV programme - Antics in the Attic??
Posted by: sew | September 23, 2011 at 09:15 AM
I love Chinese lanterns! I always thought they were seedheads but I'm not sure. Your driftwood sculpture is gorgeous, so heartwarmingly cute with the little washline ♥ It looks perfect next to Julia Crossland's print (ooh, did you see her new painting "Seedheads and boats"??) Can't wait for the yarn and hooky-fest next week! :-) xxxx
Posted by: Nanita | September 23, 2011 at 08:49 AM
I dry the Chinese laterns to keep them over the winter. Unfortunately this orange brightness does not stay.
Looking forward hearing more about your crochet creations.
Posted by: Carine_07 | September 23, 2011 at 07:39 AM
That little house is gorgeous! I love it.
Have a nice weekend, bye bye.
Natascha
Posted by: Natascha | September 23, 2011 at 07:30 AM
Lucy. Is the house next door to you for sale please? I would love to be your neighbour - all that colour and inspiration right next door, every day! :-D I used to have some of those Chinese Lanterns in my garden - I must venture out there and see if they survived last winter. Loooooove the driftwood. Jude.x
Posted by: Jude | September 23, 2011 at 07:08 AM
Orange is the colour of fall. I've been admiring the Chinese Laterns all my life. We call them "Lampiöli". You just remind me that I must ask my neighbour about them. She has millions of them in her garden. Maybe she will give me some to cheer up my green jungle.
Posted by: Regula | September 23, 2011 at 06:29 AM
Hi Lucy, I adore your little wood house and boat.. I'm with you in loving homes and boats in art.. I've painted some little wooden houses and you've inspired me to photograph them and add them to my blog next time I post. I posted today and showed a cute little crocheted pumpkin I made and I typed out the pattern.. hope you pop over and look!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | September 23, 2011 at 05:34 AM