Thursday, July 23, 2015

Five on Friday"ness"

We received some glorious rain this past weekend.  It was so nice to sit outside under the clouds and enjoy the weather.  But, it has been a bit humid as a result (which is not normal for us here on the west coast).  Anyway, my garden looks refreshed but we are still in need of more much needed  moisture for our parched area.

 Today I'm linking up with Amy at Love Made my Home for Five on Friday.   So, here is my take on this week's Five on Friday.  And, I'm also linking to:
Handmade Monday.... 
Yarn Fanatic Party......
Yarn Along...... 

*Please take a moment to stop by the above links to meet some new people and see some great craft ideas.

Creativeness:
Awhile back I purchased one skein of Katia Jaipur mercerized cotton yarn.  I've made a couple of items, including this doily.  I like this thread as it has a little sheene to it but I had to cut the thread after doing the center medallion so that the green would start at the correct area.  It's kind of a no brain crochet project.  I'm about to start knitting a sweater for myself but I don't like having to do the measurements, swatch for gauge, etc....

If you like like the pattern, you can find it here. 

Sadness:
I follow quite a few blogs and I so enjoy reading them and learning new things.  Last year, while I was in Turkey, I was looking for a blanket pattern.   From my searching online, I discovered  A Creative Being hosted by Wink.  I always looked forward to her blog updates as they featured such beautiful patterns that she created. This past May, I almost joined in with a CAL she was hosting for a shawl.   It was with a sad heart that I heard about her demise due to depression.  I was in Turkey when I read this news, just a year since I had first discovered this very talented artist.

As a result, her Fat Bottom Bag inspired me to remake this bag I had created last year.  I know the colors are not as muted but Wink was such a talented fiber arts artist. This bag has been in my Etsy store but there were not takers.  I think I will relist it now.   May her memory be eternal.

Prettiness:
My succulent garden is doing quite well with the drought conditions we are experiencing.  Here's a picture of one of them blooming.

 
(I had to take this photo again since the first one was not clear due to the humidity in the air)
I've always heard stories about the desert blooming.  I would love to see this one day.  Our deserts here in southern California really got a drenching this past weekend.  Luckily, no one was hurt in the flash floods that occurred about 100 miles east of my area.


Contentness:
I think this picture says it all....Lilly is always content as long as she's been fed! 

 
 She loves to sit in the outdoor sitting area....

Artfulness:
You probably will think I'm a bit crazy, but I ordered a book written by my favorite TV personality, Venetia Stanley Smith.  She's a British woman* who immigrated to Japan 40 years ago and has adopted Japan as her country.  She's a very talented gardener and herbalist as well as being an accomplished artist.  This book is in Japanese (which I can't read of course) but the illustrations are all done by Venetia.  
Above are two of my watercolors taken from her drawings....
*Venetia's great great uncle was Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905. She spent her early childhood years at the family's ancestral home,  Kedleston Hall.

I hope you have enjoyed this little glimpse into my week.  Life is good here at Lilly my Cat.  I really have no complaints and I'm so blessed to have met such wonderful friends via this blog.  Until next time, have a wonderful weekend and my best to you.

take care,

Pat 









 
















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34 comments:

  1. Crimson KettleJuly 24, 2015 at 1:11 AM

    So many interesting things in your post today, many thanks. I love all the things you've made. I look forward to seeing your photos of a desert in flower and Kedleston Hall is a beautiful place in many films. Have a good week. Karen :-)

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 24, 2015 at 10:17 AM

      Hi Karen. Thank you so much for visitng me today. I wish you the very best :)

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  2. Winwick MumJuly 24, 2015 at 2:13 AM

    What a lovely thoughtful "five", I really enjoyed reading it! Your projects are all beautiful, but I think your watercolours have it for me this week - they're fabulous! Funnily enough, my Mum was an artist but it passed me by - I'm not very good at drawing at all! xx

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 24, 2015 at 10:19 AM

      Thank you Christine but I'm still practicing my craft of painting after all these years of ignoring it. I hope you are enjoying your summer and lovely garden. My garden seems to be in a pause mode right now. I hope the rain we had will help it along. Have a great weekend. Pat xx

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  3. JudyJuly 24, 2015 at 4:18 AM

    Love your crochet and your garden is so beautiful! Have a great weekend.:)

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 24, 2015 at 10:20 AM

      Many thanks Judy. It's so nice that you stopped by for a visit. You too have a wonderful weekend. I have guests coming tomorrow for dinner so I will be cooking :)

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  4. RosieJuly 24, 2015 at 6:23 AM

    Lily does look very contented in her chair. The illlustrations in the book are lovely. We visit Kedleston Hall a few times a year especially to walk in the grounds and gardens - it is a lovely place and not too far away:)

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 24, 2015 at 10:21 AM

      Yes, Lilly is always content - she has a great life. It must be so special to live in such a historic country with great places nearby. I would love to go to Kedleston Hall. I saw a bit of it on TV and it looks so, so grand. Have a wonderful day Rosie.

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  5. Catherine LewisJuly 24, 2015 at 6:39 AM

    I started reading A Creative Being only a couple of months ago and was saddened to hear of Winks passing. Such a shame. #FiveOnFriday

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 24, 2015 at 10:23 AM

      Yes, I was so shocked when I read about this in her blog. And, of course I feel for her family too. Very sad indeed. Thank you for visitng my blog today. My best to you.

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  6. A Colorful WorldJuly 24, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    Love the doily and bag! beautiful! How tragic that the fiber artist is gone. It's always deeply sad when someone passes and when they have had depression or sadness in their life.

    I love your succulent garden. Glad you got the rain!

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 24, 2015 at 10:24 AM

      Greetings Marie. Thank you so much for your kind remarks. I think the only plants that grow well are my succulents. I'm trying to plant perennials so that I can have my plants all year long. Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Pat xx

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  7. Gracie SaylorJuly 24, 2015 at 9:53 AM

    It is such a pleasure for me to visit you through your blog and enjoy our common interests: knitting, crochet, watercolors, Orthodoxy, family, the Pacific Northwest and more, Pat. Your artistry is greater than mine, and inspires me to enjoy developing my simple efforts :) This week I plan to camp with some of my adult children at the beach and the next week to drive with other family members south to Burbank to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of my older sister and her husband. I join you in your hope for Wink although I did not follow her blog I had read a post and appreciated her. Please give Lily some love pats from me and know that I am wishing you and yours well.

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 24, 2015 at 10:26 AM

      Lilly thanks you so much for your good wishes! It's always a joy to hear from you and see what you have in common. I hope you have a fun time camping with your family. And, it sounds like fun to celebrate the anniversary of your sister. I will stop over by your blog and say hello. My best to you, Pat xx

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  8. Amy at love made my homeJuly 24, 2015 at 11:05 AM

    Five good things! Even the sadness about Wink is a little good, because you have remembered her and her work with fondness and that is a good thing isn't it. Thank you so much as always for joining in. I hope that you have a great weekend! xx

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 26, 2015 at 9:50 AM

      Hi Amy, that is a very good way of remembering Wink. Thank you again for stopping by by blog. My best to you.

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  9. ChristineJuly 24, 2015 at 1:33 PM

    Hi Pat and thanks for sharing! it never ceases to amaze me at everyone's creativity in their blogs and I love your doily and the bag is gorgeous!
    The succulents are really thriving!
    Lilly is the picture of serenity! Bliss I'd say!
    Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 26, 2015 at 9:51 AM

      Hi Christine, Lilly thanks you so much for your kind words. She is a handful sometimes :) I'm happy you liked the doily and bag. Sometimes my color schemes are a bit off to modern tastes. Have a wonderful day.

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  10. Julie's LifestyleJuly 24, 2015 at 2:18 PM

    Your crochet, garden and cat are lovely. Have a nice weekend.

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 26, 2015 at 9:52 AM

      Greetings Julie. Thank you so much for visiting and for your kind comments. Enjoy your day.

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  11. Karen @ Beatrice EuphemieJuly 24, 2015 at 11:37 PM

    You are such a talented crocheter, Pat! I love the colors....So sad about your blog friend. Depression is such a terrible thing. Your succulents are so pretty. It's always so fun to see them bloom. I have seen the desert in bloom when we lived in Tuscon and it is magical. We are finally getting some rain here, too. Your kitty looks so happy. Hope you have a nice weekend. xo Karen

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 26, 2015 at 9:53 AM

      It's always nice to hear from you Karen. My garden like the little bit of rain we received last weekend. Thank you for your kind words. I hope you have enjoying a wonderful day in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Pat xx

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  12. UnknownJuly 25, 2015 at 4:08 AM

    LOVE THAT BAG! I'll have to look for the pattern. I was sorry to hear about Wink,m too. So many creative people are lost to depression. We must really start taking care of our own! Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 26, 2015 at 9:54 AM

      You are so kind. Thank you for stopping to for a visit. I kind of made up the pattern for the bag but the stitch itself is called Bavarian Crochet. Enjoy your day.

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  13. MeredithJuly 25, 2015 at 5:33 AM

    Pat, this was a lovely post. I was so sad about Wink, she was a gifted artist.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 26, 2015 at 9:56 AM

      Hello Meredith, yes, she was so talented. I'm happy that I had the chance to see her through her blog and her talented work. I hope you are having a fabulous day. Many thanks for stopping by.

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  14. eclectichomelifeJuly 25, 2015 at 10:54 AM

    Love you doily. The colours are glorious. I too was very sad about Wink

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 26, 2015 at 9:56 AM

      Hi Selma, yes very sad indeed. I hope you have a wonderful week. It's always a pleasure to hear from you.

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  15. KateJuly 25, 2015 at 7:53 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog, Pat! I'm always thrilled with new visitors. I've added you to my blog list so I can stay caught up with you. You had asked about the new threads I bought; I have a couple of cross stitch charts in mind for them. With the extreme variegation of the colors, they're perfect for stitching words (my favorite!).
    You have a lovely garden! I can't grow anything, total black thumb. That doily is gorgeous. I love the colors. Thanks for the link :-) Yes, it broke my heart to hear of sweet Wink's passing; she was such an inspiration. Lilly is so beautiful! Maine Coon cats are so wonderful; we had one for nine years and he was the best cat we've ever had (and we've had a lot!).

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    1. Lilly's MomJuly 26, 2015 at 9:58 AM

      Hi Kate, thank you for following my blog. I was fascinated by the silk threads you bought as I'm just learning how to do needlepoint on a printed canvas with wool thread. It's a bit of a challenge but I think I may like my new hobby. My garden is small and the soil here is so bad but I'm working on it little by little. Lilly thanks you so much for your kind words. I'm sure you miss your Maine Coon. They are amazing little creatures as mine is so social and thinks she is a real person. My best to you and have a wonderful day. Pat xx

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  16. Home MeadowsJuly 28, 2015 at 7:55 AM

    Hi Pat, looks like some wonderful projects. The doily is so pretty with the thread you are using. I haven't heard of the artist you mention, but your watercolors are lovely. Thank you for stopping by my blog and saying hi. Take care, Heather

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  17. carrie@northwoods scrapbookJuly 28, 2015 at 3:05 PM

    You are such a creative Lady and that bag is beautiful. So sorry about your friend and pray for all of those who suffer in that way - that they find a better answer.
    Your succulents look great too! And your Lilly is the picture of contentment. ;)
    happy week to you! xo

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  18. MarthaJuly 30, 2015 at 5:50 PM

    love your projects, your doily looks so summery and the bag came out very stylish :)
    so sorry to hear about a death of a talented blogger :( i didnt know the girl but it's so sad anyway that beyond all that colourful yarns and pretty projects, a personal drama took place :(

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  19. mamapez5August 4, 2015 at 2:17 PM

    When I got back from my holiday I spotted the thumbnail of your pretty little mauve and green doily and left to come back to. A week or two later and here I am! I am sorry to hear about your crafting friend. The bag is lovely. I made one of my blankets for Africa using that bavarian crochet stitch. I remember it took a lot of wool!
    At the end of my Friday post on 24th July, I showed the rest of my Denmark photos, so you might like a quick look when you have a spare minute or two! You can find it HERE
    Kate x

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