Back in 2012, my blog friend Floss suggested a new blog event. [now a fully fledged Anglican priest, it was Floss who started the Pause in Lent and Pause in Advent events]
I was reminded of this on Saturday when I was pottering in the old garage, and came across a carrier bag of silk flowers. There were some daffodils in there, and I'd just thrown away a bunch of real [but dead] ones.
They were 95p in Lidl, and they had lasted two weeks and brought much joy. These ones could take there place until more fresh ones arrive.
They were 95p in Lidl, and they had lasted two weeks and brought much joy. These ones could take there place until more fresh ones arrive.
Normally there is a green cloth on the dining table - I have two, bought from Scotts of Stow, back in the 90s, and I rotate them. But I felt like a change. I looked in the linen drawer - and found a single duvet cover. I know exactly when I bought that - Easter 1996, it was in Debenhams, half price - and I had just been given a new divan bed for the spare room in Kirby. That bed is long gone, and most of my other single bedlinen too. I shook it out, and put it on the table. Ta Da!
I really like the way the amber/brown pattern sets off the greeny blue vase, and the daffodils. And Steph's lovely picture behind picks up those shades too. I think she painted that when she was a student - it is at least 20 years ago...
It has the words of the Lord's prayer, and a dove of peace, and fresh golden wheat against a sunny background [originally hung on a yellow kitchen wall]
It has the words of the Lord's prayer, and a dove of peace, and fresh golden wheat against a sunny background [originally hung on a yellow kitchen wall]
I found other treasure in the carrier bag - but that will be for another post.
Do you use silk flowers - or only fresh ones ? [my daffs were purchased for a Day of Prayer display four years ago]
How often do you find 'treasure' in the cupboard, when you are actually looking for something else?
I attended a workshop on making flowers from old books : it was at the Library. I had them in a vase for a couple of years. When I got fed up of them, I just pulled out the wire stems and recycled the paper.
ReplyDeleteAlways good to be able recycle things! I have some paper roses made from an old hymnbook. I think they are probably to go too!
DeleteI used to have a large arrangement of silk flowers standing in the middle of my living room window and a matching arrangement on a nearby chest of drawers. The previous tenants of the house opposite always showered without lowering the bathroom blind and their privacy glass was distinctly sub-standard - cringe-making when we were sitting trying to watch tv! Both arrangements ended up in the window, carefully positioned to hide the 'show' from whatever chair we were sitting in. New people are decorating prior to moving in and the flowers remain in position until we find out if they know how to use a blind!
ReplyDelete🤣🤣🤣
DeleteWhat a beautiful tableau the cover, the daffodils and Liz’s wonderful picture make. I use an IKEA cotton cover that I got from Leanne for a tablecloth and used the other half for many crafty projects. I think duvet covers are cheaper and better quality than trying to buy wide fabric for quilt backing /tablecloths. I have a cream poinsettia arrangement given to me by the craft group that sits nicely on the hearth during December to springtime. Catriona
ReplyDeleteOld bed linen is SO useful for crafting, tablecloths, curtains, nativity costumes..
DeleteFor indoor picnic blankets and for building forts...
DeleteThanks for reminding us to be thankful for what we have been blessed with.
~ skye
I'd forgotten forts (under the dining table)
DeleteYour table looks lovely. I tend to only have fresh flowers but your silk daffodils are very lifelike. We are having our bathroom turned into a wet room and work is starting in two weeks. I have to clear out our airing cupboard and the vanity unit in the bathroom, no doubt I will unearth some "treasure" and some dross! Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the wet room once it's done. Be ruthless with the vanity unit, so often they become repositories for all sorts of random things (mini bottles of shampoo from hotel stays, Christmas present shower gels you never got round to using...)
DeleteJust lovely and very welcoming for Spring which is on the distant horizon.The picture is so beautiful. Carole R
ReplyDeleteSteph's a very gifted artist
DeleteHow lovely to hear about Floss. She came to visit us in France and I've often wondered about her.
ReplyDeleteTreasures are exciting things to browse through!
I get distracted by the memories they evoke though
DeleteI like silk flowers very much and at this time of year they are so useful and cheering. The Art work by your daughter and table display are lovely.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
Thank you
DeleteThis weekend, whilst changing some pictures from our bedroom to some in the loft I found two small pictures a friend had drawn for my mother many years ago. One is an intricate and beautifully excecuted pencil drawing of Blickling Hall. I’m so thrilled to find I still have this.
ReplyDeleteJill x
That is a lovely find. Hoping to get to Blickling myself soon, to see the spring flowers appearing in the gardens
DeleteI have swarovski crystal flowers - but only in glass-fronted display cabinets so they’re safe from cats and grandchildren. Otherwise mostly artificial since we had a cat who would eat any real flowers that came in the house. The artificial ones are plastic, fabric, and even wood (balsa soaked, shaped, and dyed to make rosebuds). My Christmas cactus is the only plant that no cat would touch (well, only once).
ReplyDeletePlease advise, my 2025 Christmas Cactus in the lounge has finished flowering. Where should I put it now ? (Warm or cool room, light or shade...)
DeleteI just leave mine on the kitchen windowsill all year. It flowers when it wants to and it’s in plain sight so I don’t forget to water it.
DeleteThank you Linda!
DeleteWhat brilliant use of a duvet cover, it does pick up shades from the picture above and how lovely to have a daughter who is such a good artist. I do prefer real flowers, but yours look very life like. Most of my 'dross' and 'treasure' went when we moved. Xx
ReplyDeleteYou sound more disciplined about decluttering than I am
ReplyDeleteSteph's painting is absolutely gorgeous and the table cover looks great with it, plus the yellow of the daffodils. Fresh flowers are vulnerable here in the winter and need cosseting just to get them from the store to the car, and then to the house in a car that may be barely warmed up. I went to town in a snow storm this afternoon, driven by DH who refused to let me go on my own, so kind. Flowers were not on my mind, but soon I will be admiring tulips, my favourite cut flower. Even when they are dying, they still look amazing!
ReplyDeleteHere I am fed up with rain, but you are struggling with snowstorms. I like tulips too
DeleteThe painting is lovely and I like how the table cover, the flowers, and the painting all seem to be color coordinated.
ReplyDeleteI tend to prefer fresh flowers to artificial ones, but, I do have some artificial flowers, including some my daughter made.
I am currently sorting through my linen closet, but, so far, I haven't found any treasures, other than the table covers my mother and grandmother crocheted, which I know are there, along with quilts and blankets I've made. :)
I have one blanket knitted by my grandmother
DeleteThat's a lovely combination. Steph 's painting is lovely. She's very talented!
ReplyDelete❤️
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