Although I have a devoted Summer-loving heart, in recent years I have found myself enjoying the Autumn season more than I ever thought possible. A lot of this has come about by simply being mindful and choosing to embrace the colours and the beautiful light brought on by the Autumn season. I used to think that Autumn meant a lot of damp, dull brown bleugh and I very rarely respond well to brown stuff, unless it's good coffee. Or chocolate. It's easy to stop having a really close look at what's around you when your heart feels low, and I'm ashamed to say it has taken me a long time to stop dwelling on the loss of Summer and start to really see Autumn.
The first time I felt creatively inspired by the Season of Brown was when I embarked on my Autumn wreath three years ago. And then there was my Cosy Stripe Blanket two years ago which was inspired by the colours of Autumn leaves, flowers and berries. This beautiful blanket went a long way to convincing me that these weeks of early Autumn are anything but brown.
Now I find myself enjoying the weeks in October as the weather cools and Autumn takes hold, and there is a lot to inspire my colour-loving soul at this time of year. Can't say that I love Autumn as such (Summer is IT for me), but I certainly can appreciate what it has to offer on the nature front. On my way to the studio this morning I wandered along the canal slowly, taking my time to look all around and enjoy the colour and light. I loved how the leaves floating on the surface of the water matched the boat so well, that visual really did delight me.
I had such a buzz going on in my studio this morning, oh the sunlight streaming in through the window was sublime!
I found myself playing around with flowers and colour ideas and getting all giddy and totally inspired by the things happening on my sunlit table and inside my Creative Mind. In a word - today was all about Hydrangeas. Oh yes!
So this morning on my wander along the canal and around my close neighbourhood, I was literally stopped in my tracks by a Hydrangea bush. Not just one in fact, but several of them one after another. I found myself absolutely mesmerised by the colours, astonished that I have spent so many years disliking these flowers and declaring them too "wishy-washy". I realised this morning that it is the Summer versions of these flowers which have put me off in the past (way too pale for my liking), but oh the Autumn version of Hydrangeas is simply stunning! So rich, so vibrant, but yet delicate at the same time!
I don't know how to say this exactly, but I guess truth is the best policy here - I took a few photographs of hydrangea flowers in situ, but then I was overcome by a ridiculously strong urge to have them for myself. It's probably wrong on so many levels to admit this to you, but yes my friends, I admit that I did actually 'aquire' a few blooms and popped them super-quick into the depths of my shopping bag. Four to be precise, from four different bushes. To be fair, the bushes in question were mahoosive and absolutely groaning with flowers, so I didn't feel too badly about snagging just one from each. And there endeth my confession, I am very, very sorry for my wicked ways.
I couldn't get to my studio fast enough, couldn't wait to have a really close up look at these flowers and examine the wealth of colour and texture. Honestly, the depth of colour really surprised me. So very, very pretty, and completely inspiring.
I started to have a little play with the individual flowery bits, pull them off and arranging them according to colour.....
Oh!! My heart honestly danced a little jig at the sight of this sweet floral ring!!
I feel so inspired by these hydrangea colours, a seed of something very lovely has most definitely sprouted inside my Creative Mind. Maybe a future colour palette for a blanket? Maybe a pretty floral wreath? I shall tuck these images away for a bit and wait for the seed to grow.........
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I'm so happy I was recommended to visit your site. I love your crochet tutorials but I also loved this post so much. I love your writing, it's so beautiful and so natural. I actually learnt some words (English is my second language). I also loved your pictures. I feel so happy, calm and inspired. Thank you so much for sharing this. Greetings from México! :)
Posted by: Dana | March 21, 2017 at 03:24 PM
Just love these colour combinations yet again, like you am feeling now as I get older that Autumn have the best colours...
Posted by: Julie | November 23, 2016 at 01:15 PM
STOP! I don't know if I can take it! hydrangeas are my favourite flowers and to see what you do with them is so exhilarating.
Posted by: bloepper | November 09, 2016 at 09:35 AM
Hoping that you are fine. Concerned for your health as we have not seen a post for quite a long time. Wishing that all is well with you.
Posted by: Charlotte. | November 06, 2016 at 11:18 PM
Hi Lucy
I am one of those lucky people who can visit Attic 24 in person but as today I had an eye appt, I have spent some time browsing through your blogs. Such a colourful feast for the eyes, wonderful - and of course I want to try everything! However, my lovely yarn has arrived, and I am up to Round 8 on your Jolly Chunky Bag, and enjoying every moment, even the pulling back - which is getting less as I go along.
I cannot believe that a month ago, I had never even used a crochet hook! And it is all down to Yarndale, you and the crocheters (is that a word?) of Skipton.A big thank you!
Clare Hutchinson
Posted by: Clare Hutchinson | November 04, 2016 at 07:24 PM
I love so much the colours of autumn. .I'm excited it's November now! It's do cosy. ..see here if you have time lucky
https://whimsyandcosy.wordpress.com/2016/11/01/what-does-november-mean-to-you/
Posted by: Zozie | November 02, 2016 at 04:30 PM
Your post did make me chuckle. I think you did very well not to take more than one flower head for each bush, I'm not sure I would have been so restrained. Love the way you put the ring of flowers together, seen like this the colours are stunning. Thank you for making me chuckle this morning :)
Posted by: Kirsten Russell | November 01, 2016 at 08:22 AM
Lucy, you are a true artist! I love how you have such an amazing colour sense.
Posted by: Olivia | October 31, 2016 at 01:49 PM
Love, love Autumn and I really enjoy seeing everyone's autumn photos. The only downside are the early dark nights but on the upside I enjoy feeling snug in the house. Plenty of crochet time! Von x
Posted by: Yvonne | October 30, 2016 at 01:22 PM
Hi Lucy, I love Autumn, more than Spring in fact, for these colours. Being a redhead, Autumn rusts and reds, bright and dusky greens have always been on my radar. Love the way you take inspiration from nature Lucy!
Posted by: Jenny | October 28, 2016 at 10:16 PM
Fall is my favorite time of the year for so many reasons...the colors, crisp air, blue blue sky, the food, scarves, boots. I could go on and on!
Glad you are enjoying Autumn too Lucy!
Posted by: Robin W. | October 28, 2016 at 05:19 PM
Yes - I can absolutely see that as a wreath, or maybe a pretty cowl?
Posted by: Holly | October 28, 2016 at 01:14 AM
I love your honesty, Lucy. (In all things - not just the helpful 'deadheading'!!!)
I have ALWAYS loved Autumn the best - the colours, the earthy smells, the crunch of the leaves, the shiny conkers, the bounty in the hedgerows.
Then Spring - the fresh colours and the promise that winter is over.
Summer has grown on me - I do love it now.
Isn't it funny how we're all so different?
Love Debbie
Posted by: Debbie, Essex | October 26, 2016 at 09:17 AM
Lovely post, fantastic colour inspiration. Delighted to hear of your recent awards.
Posted by: Anne R | October 26, 2016 at 03:29 AM
Hi Lucy those hydrangeas are beautiful colours.....How about a blanket in those colours in this type of pattern? www.redheart.com/free-patterns/crochet-sampler-afghan
I really like this pattern but it is so difficult to follow and the USA abbreviations are different. But what a lovely border! Any chance you could create a similar but easier version in your hydrangea colours?
I promise I will donate coffee AND chocolate money! Thanks for all your colourful and warm hearted inspiriation.
Felicity UK
Posted by: Felicity O'Hanlon | October 26, 2016 at 12:26 AM
Remember these flowers from my childhood home. A nice reminder. We are just starting to have Autumn weather in Florida. We never get the Autumn & Winter weather that you have , but are glad for slightly cooler weather. Still working on my king size Coast Blanket. Into the second pack of yarn. Thanks for the beautiful pictures.
Posted by: Charlotte. | October 25, 2016 at 10:46 PM
See, i'm the complete opposite, it's the Autumn season for me all the way, lol I love the cooler weather and all the colours.
I'm so glad you have come to love the beautiful hydrangea, they are stunning, and as you have discovered they get even better when the weather turn, enjoy :-)
Posted by: Maggie | October 24, 2016 at 09:44 AM
Beautiful Autumn photos. The colours are a delight, especially the hydrangea ring. It is Spring here in New Zealand, so we have the opposite....lots of bright greens and spring flowers. I love both Autumn and Spring equally. I tend to stay in the house as much as I can with the air conditioning on cold in the Summer.
Hugs Rose x
Posted by: Happy Ramblings blog | October 24, 2016 at 07:10 AM
Oops! Happy Autumn! Lol!
Posted by: Lynn Butler | October 24, 2016 at 04:58 AM
I have a sentimental and family attachment to hydrangeas. My Grandma Nell had two very large pink hydrangeas on either side of her front door. They were cuttings from her mothers plants, my Great Grandma Rebecca. Grandma Nell was always so proud of her large flowers. I can still hear her exclaim, "My they are the size of Platters!" She had such a green thumb for growing things. I would love a blanket in those hydrangea colors! Happy Autum!
Also, many kudos to you for your awards. I am so happy for you! Very much deserved.
Posted by: Lynn Butler | October 24, 2016 at 04:57 AM
The hydrangeas make such a pretty colour pallet. Taking inspiration from nature always gives you that really happy feeling inside...
Posted by: Catherine | October 23, 2016 at 02:50 PM
I love Autumn hydrangeas. I believe that you can cut them in Autumn and put them in a vase, without water, to dry out for some winter floral colour. An elderly neighbour used to do this when I was a kid.
Also, the photos in your post remind me of Design Seeds blog. Have you had a look there? I'm guessing you will have, because they are all about picking out colours from nature.
Lovely post, thank you
Posted by: Lex | October 23, 2016 at 08:02 AM
I really wanted to see something happy. Thank you for having this cheerful, colorful blog! I know it's only a part of life and I remember you saying you like to keep it a cheerful place, so I came here. (BIG SMILE) Thanks!
Posted by: Katie Blackwel | October 23, 2016 at 02:57 AM
There is something so amazing about the autumn sunlight.
Posted by: Cf | October 23, 2016 at 12:04 AM
I absolutely love the colours of the hydrangea that you gathered. A blanket designed with those colours would be amazing!!! I would definitely purchase the package from Wool Warehouse if you designed something. :)
Posted by: Janet | October 22, 2016 at 03:48 PM