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Colourful Interlude

These lush, rich fuchsias and roses on our balcony patio have inspired me to dig deep into the stash and hunt up some of the most colourful and lively fabrics and trims that I could find.

Hummingbirds often visit us, even on the 17th floor. So, to extend a hearty "bienvenue", we  are luring  them with a ready supply of succulent fuchsias, fragrant jasmine, and the ever loyal, sweet rose. Recently,  as my red "Lady and the Unicorn" umbrella (seen here behind the fuchsias) was drying on the balcony,  we noticed it seemed to be an added attraction for the hummingbirds. Since then, we have purchased a more dispensable red umbrella that we can leave out on the balcony as big "Welcome" sign.

This rose transforms from a deep reddish/orange bud, into this bright pinkish/yellow, to a pale yellow tinged with pink and finally into a soft white. Amazing to see the progression.

Since most of my stitching time has focused on boutis recently, which is worked mostly on whites and neutrals, a therapy session using the brightest and most vibrant colours from the stash is most welcome.

These fun fabrics are a lightly laminated cotton that I found in my favourite kitchen shop in Montpellier. I had mailed them (as well as the coordinating bindings)  home several years ago, but because we have never spent a summer in Vancouver, there was never an urgency to dig them out before now.  They will help add a little southern French sunshine to our Vancouver summer.

Better then a candy shop!

First tablecloth done. The table, now dressed in chartreuse, is ready for outdoor dining. The trailing vines on the back lattice are the jasmine, not quite in full bloom yet.

To accommodate the umbrella, I cut a 1 1/2" circle in the centre of the tablecloth with a slit extending to the outside edge, and finished the edge by continuing the binding into the slit and around the centre cutout.

This rectangular tablecloth is destined for my daughter and son-in-laws long wooden kitchen table. I do love these colours on my balcony as well. Hmmmm. Dilemma! Fortunately, we don't have a long rectangular table, so this tablecloth will find it's rightful owner.

And now ... the leftovers. My favourite! From what was left over after cutting the two tablecloths, I managed to get 16 place mats cut. The yellow scraps were still a leftover from Montpellier. Thank goodness these leftovers don't go bad!

More summer fun coming soon! I did have to hit a fabric shop again to replenish the binding supply and fortunately, Fabricland had a great deal - buy 1 metre, get 3 free. Could anyone resist that?

Comments

  1. Cynthia GilbrethJune 6, 2014 at 7:27 PM

    Your fuchsias are so lovely! I'm trying, yet again, to grow them as the hummingbirds do love them. Your fabrics are certainly very cheery and brighten up the space beautifully. Do you sit there to stitch? I certainly would.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seams FrenchJune 7, 2014 at 4:26 PM

      This is the first time we are growing fuchsias and they seem to like the Pacific NW climate. They are beautiful and I am thinking that I would like to get another one or two. Since this is our first summer here, we are still experimenting and learning about what grows and what doesn't. The fuchsias, so far, seem to be a go.

      My favourite place to stitch is outside in the shade, no matter where in the world I am: best light and best view. Lately, however, I have been doing my hand stitching in the evenings, so have not yet utilized my outdoor space very much. Hopefully coming very soon.

      Delete
  2. MonicaJune 6, 2014 at 7:49 PM

    Those colours should definitely keep you in a Montpellier frame of mind!

    I miss jasmine -- how nice that you can grow it in Vancouver! Do you bring it in over the winter, or can you leave it out?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seams FrenchJune 7, 2014 at 4:34 PM

      As I just mentioned in Cynthia's reply, since this is our first full summer here, we are very new to what grows best in this climate and with our particular exposure. We had great success with jasmine in Montpellier, and when we saw it in the greenhouses here, we thought why not give it a go? Our winter temperatures don't often go very much below freezing for extended periods of time, so we are hoping it will winter outside. Right now, we are on a steep learning curve of Pacific NW gardening. So far, we have not killed off too many plants, but there's always tomorrow!

      Delete

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