Autumn Appreciation and Inspiration

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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Comments

[Leah]

Hydrangea's are so lovely, looking forward to seeing what you design xxxx

[helen]

Oohhhh yes please Lucy a blanket in these colours would be amazing. Could we maybe have it as a crochet along?

[Anna]

Hi Lucy... I love Autumn too, especially when it is not cold yet but days are sunny and warm :) I can't wait to see what your inspiration will be! Have a great day :)

[Lynne Armstrong]

Hi Lucy,

I've just made your Jolly Chunky Bag in left-over DK Cosy colours...LOVE it!! I also posted a tutorial on how to make a lining for the bag, in case anyone would like to have a go at that. This is the post on my website.... http://www.craftylittlered.com/home/jolly-chunky-bag-with-lining-tutorial

I'm going to make another Jolly bag in another colourway. This is a brilliant project bag!

I've ordered two of the Weekend Bag kits and can't wait to start on them when they arrive :)

Hugs from Lynne in Aus xx

[Edith Manners]

This is a catch-up time on some of my blogs I enjoy. It's an Anniversary Day here in Hawkes Bay New Zealand and we have Monday as a Public Holiday as well. It raining and wet as well.Just like some of the English's Bank Holidays weekend we had while living there.

Just like the way you played with the Hydrangea Flowers. Yes, they come in so many colours.

Have a row of Hydrangea Bushes on a side fence. Planted to hide the iron fence. Our will be out for Christmas and for Summer Weddings.

I shall take more notices of the colours. Toward the end of their flowering, I pick and dry some off for colour in the winter. Yes, yes I will be looking at them in a different light.
Thank you for opening my eyes.

[Margaret Claridge]

Oh what a delight to think of a blanket in theses colours.😊 Gorgeous x

[TINA]

I enjoyed reading your post so much Lucy!
It's amazing how simple things around us in nature can be transformed into art when someone has the talent to do it. I adored your hydrangea wreath , so simple, yet so utterly beautiful.
Thank you for sharing.
Tina x

[Janice]

I love your blog. I love the variety of things I find here. I have popped in and out quite a bit since I began blogging and always enjoy my visits.
Janice

[Liz]

Just gorgeous colors! You've really got the eye for color design. Autumn is IT for me. Living in the northeast of the US, it is just beautiful this time of year. I welcome the crisp days and don't mind so much that the HOT goes away. : )

[Ali Dufty]

Many congrats on your recent awards Lucy - very well deserved for your thoroughly lovely blog , always a delightful colour -fest :) including your most recent gravitation toward the more mellow . I love to be guided by nature ! Just delicious :))

[crafty mema]

make me one

oxoxoxcrafty mema

[Joan]

Those colors of the wreath made of hydrangeas in the muted colors of autumn evoke a Jane Austin novel, a mist upon the moors, wisps of smoke from a cozy cottage where I sit with a pair of knitting needles having a sip of tea. Mind, I've never set foot in your country, but from British historical novels I've imagined from childhood that those are the pictures conjured up in my imagination.

I can't wait to see what you dream up for that lovely palette. Maybe a pair of cozy socks? Hmmmm?

[monica bermann]

Precious! If you want more inspiration of that kind, check http://www.5ftinf.com/ and you´ll find it. Always in love with your blog and work.
Kisses from Argentina,
Moni

[Linda schiffer]

You have more ecclectic gardeners in your area than we seem to here in coastal Maryland! Hydrangeas are popular floers here - and varying soils produce lovely ranhes of color - but I have never seen such a variety as in your collection. 🙂 Gorgeous!!

🙂 Linda

[Hazel]

Oh what lovely colours and don't worry about picking them I expect it all would have been cut back soon anyway and you have given so much pleasure to your readers by showing them. They woukd make a pretty garland. Thank you for sharing your walk.

Hazel c uk

[Alison Keogh]

I see a wreath moving through the seasons - maybe a bit abstract but it's been a long day at school 😊

[Helen]

Wow, that last photo of the florets in a ring would make a super note card photo. I love the way you look at things. :) Happy Autumn!
PS I love fall and spring more than summer as summer is terribly hot where I live and I love the 'changing' that happens with those two other seasons. Even as a child I would get up and go check the garden first thing to see what had changed over night. Summer not so much.

[Pom Pom]

I want to tell you CONGRATULATIONS on your awards! You really are the most sharing yarn artist ever! I saw the hydrangeas on Instagram. LOVELY!

[Diane]

Loving the colours. x

[Cherie]

I love the colours in Autumn and look out for yellows and reds and oranges when out walking. Even the nasty bramble goes a gorgeous red in places. Concerning Hydrangeas, I've one that is white in summer but the flowers gradually change colour to a lovely pink in Autumn. All said, like you I'm definitely a summer person. Thanks for sharing, just love your blog x

[Angela-Southern USA]

So wonderful when inspiration strikes so strongly. See what knitting those socks have lead to?! That dark side changes everything! Here you are appreciating Hydrangeas AND Autumn! ;) I look forward to seeing what grows from that tiny seed.x

[Elizabeth Waggoner]

I can SO see a wreath made entirely of crocheted flowers in these gorgeous colors. What a perfectly lovely day for you!!! 😀

[Jacqui]

Why is it the way you write makes me feel like I am there with you, and yes I felt a bit guilty too, snaffling flowers you naughty person ha ha ha. Cant wait to see what you make !!

[Susanne]

Another wreath please! Yours are the most gorgeous ones. :-)

[Angel Jem]

I saw the hydrangeas on your instagram feed... blanket or wreath, they're lovely colours to play with!
And for Autumn, you need to embrace the Hygge. You hygge at home with the kids naturally, but in everyday life it's too easy to shudder and think 'Oh, Autumn!' (rolls eyes up to Heaven) when you should think 'Ooh! Autumn!' and kick the leaves. You know what soul cosiness you need; get it in and appreciate the seasons every day! I'm a keen Hygger; I've even started a new blog just for hygge https://howtohyggethebritishway.com/ and a facebook page, if you really love Hygge called https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheHyggeNook/