Thursday, April 26, 2012

A colorful iron gate, blooms, caravan work

Good morning Folks,

We have been having some absolutely gorgeous weather down here in s.e. FL, and I’ve not been at my job, so have been able to putter around home. Today I’m back to work, the first of three days. I’m thankful for this last bit of chilly weather before summer heat and humidity settle in.  It was already starting to feel like summer a week ago, so this has been a blessing.  We had rain over the weekend, which is what ushered in the cool front.

I’ve been trying to get things done outside before it turns too unbearable to do anything. I bought a bag of seed starting mix and have seeds to plant yet, all in good time. The other morning I got the urge to paint the gate that is at the back of the main garden, so mixed and used up some paint from my late MIL. Wow! I sent photos to a friend saying this might be too much, she said no, it adds a pop of color to the garden.  It DOES do that, that’s for sure. This deep, vibrant color makes my little bench really look pale.

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I dabbled some on this piece of iron work

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and on this piece too.

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This area makes me feel happier now. It needed this color.  I dug up  two pieces of passion vine with root, put them in pots and watered well and set them in this area.  If they survive the upheaval,  I want them to grow up over this lattice roof.  The colors would be fantastic.

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The caravan work is coming along.  There are no plans, it is a ‘wing it’ project.  The electric is done, now it’s the tedious frame work for walls/paneling, the counter, and the bench/beds. It’s not interesting to show, but it’s all part and parcel of the project.

This is the south counter side.  A bench/bed will be across the back, east end.  The gray painted box on the floor is the storage area for the propane tank, all sealed off from the inside.

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This is the north east corner.

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Here is the little propane/electric refrigerator in place with part of the stove sitting on the top where it will go, so that we could look at it and DH could figure things out.  The space is shrinking as we fill things in.  Remember it is only 6’x8’.

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More framework for the wall between fridge and electrical box area.

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Wall in place.

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DH had this gray paneling in his stash of stuff and it was perfect for this area.

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That’s it for now.  I will post more pictures as we go along.  There is a lot of framework, different angles, etc.  It reminds DH of building with his erector set he had as a boy.  Although, we have no real parts, materials yes, and he then has to figure out, measure, cut, put together.  He is doing a great job. When this is all done, we plan on sleeping out there while we remodel our cottage bedroom.

The other day he came into where I am sitting here in my space and told me to hold out my hand and close my eyes.  This is what it was.

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Isn’t that cool? The know in the wood at the corner like that made a heart shape.

*******

Now for some blooms.  The next few are of ‘Kathleen’.

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Below is ‘Penelope’.

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Here are some Irish crochet roses that I’ll be selling for embellishments for crazy quilters or anyone else who happens to have an idea to use them. I’ve more in several colors , this I think is the silver color.

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I really love this one.

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Below is a picture of some of the latest needlecases with some of the crocheted roses.

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Here are my tiny babies, 2 inches tall.

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Last but not least, here is Tork, on my lap with hands on my chest, sometimes kneading and purring away.

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That’s it for now.

I’ve got to get ready to head off to work today. Work tomorrow and Sat. too.

Hope you all have a great weekend whatever you do.

FlowerLady

****

 

To find the universal elements enough;

to find the air and the water exhilarating;

to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter...

to be thrilled by the stars at night;

to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring -

these are some of the rewards of the simple life. 

John Burroughs

34 comments:

Sunray Gardens said...

Lovely blooms and love your bench area. What a wonderful place to sit and admire all the beauty. Your caravan is really coming along. It's going to be like new when you are done.

Cher Sunray Gardens

L. D. said...

I love the blue. I have a container of it leftover from my two gates and I think I need to go around the garden and paint some more blue. Your project is a lot of fun and great to see. Your flowers continue to be beautiful and the crochet is neat to see. Great post today as usual.

Jane said...

Hi Rainey! I love your purple gate. With all of your exotic blooms, you need something bright to pop out. Your DH is certainly a romantic isn't he? I wish I could crochet like you. Once saw a beautiful scarf that was made up of various Irish crocheted roses in silver gray. It was just beautiful. Glad you are getting some work time in!

BernieH said...

I love the colour of your gate and the ironwork. It really does add a special touch to that area. Those Irish crochet roses are quite lovely, and the babies are just way too cute! Pretty Roses as well. The piece of wood with the heart-shaped knot is a real work of art. That's such a gorgeous find.

Rebecca said...

You MUST know how excited I was to see the progress on the Caravan! I find it MOST interesting :)

And oh, the color on your gate and other iron yard art!!!! It's perfectly gorgeous.

We're waiting on a bit of that Florida weather up here. It's been very, very cool up here.

Jean Campbell said...

Oh, the heart formed by the knot in that piece of wood is precious! He is so thoughtful to notice it and bring it to you as a little surprise in the course of the day.

Before I came to sit here and type, I noticed some crochet thread unused. Maybe I'll make some Irish roses. I love how they turn out, a magic rose that lasts forever.

One of my vines from your seed came back from last year. I forget what it is unless it's Alamo Vine. Or it's the other one, lol.

NickiLee said...

Alwsy a deligfht to come visit your BLog as you are so inspriational - thank you! I absolutely love your new gate and all the other wriught iron that you painted. You have given me an idea to paint my wrought iron mini chair and a few other garden items - and why not...paint them in a color thaty we enjoy instead of the typical rust or black? Your purple certainly brings a beautiful splash of color.

Have a great weekend! Big hugs!

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Love the color of the gate and other accessories. Love the flowers, passionflower (jealous) and roses. Just beautiful. Hope the work on your caravan isn't too taxing. Have a great weekend. xxoo Nancy

Ami said...

I am sure when those passion vine covering the lattice roof, it will look very nice in that area. The flower will even match your new paint color of the gate. Love those "baby" needlework, very cute! You and your husband are really doing lots of work on that caravan, can not wait to see how it looks like when everything is done.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Love the color and the gate.
Would like to have the gate here :)
Have been looking for one and did not want new. Might luck up on one. You are so talented and I am impressed with all you do.
Thank you for visiting my world..

Andrea said...

I've read about the caravan way back and i am glad it will be ready soonest! How wonderful it is to have a hubby like yours, but most of all he is so sweet for giving you that wood, oh really so sweet and loving. We don't find that in woods here though, so it is really unique for us to see. I also love your purple paints which will eventually house the purple passion fruit, then it will become the purple garden! Happy Weekend.

shirley said...

Just love your paint colours Lorraine and the passionflower will add to the mood when it grows. Your caravan is going to be so comfortable when it is finished. I always love seeing the flowers in your garden it is a real delight. Glad to see you back posting you have been missed.
Have a nice weekend and hope you dont have to work too hard.

gld said...

That color is perfect and won't the passionflower be wonderful with it. You definitely have the 'eye'.

Have a good 3-day workweek.

Carol said...

Lovely, lovely work Flower Lady! Lovely words too. ;>)

Unknown said...

I adore the purple accents!! Not too much at all. Oh and that little block of wood with the heart, stain it and give it a place of honor!

tina said...

The violet is a perfect pop of color. I think it mellows out in the garden and combines all other colors so well. The caravan work is coming along nicely. Can't wait to see the finished product! Beautiful roses and kitty. You all have a super good weekend too. Glad it is cool in Florida.

Susan said...

So many pretty things all in one post. First off...love, love, love the color of your gate. The passion vine will look great on it.

Your roses are lovely as usual. You have so many wonderful old-time varieties. This past week has been splendid...our last hurrah before the heat and humidity show up. Enjoy your weekend!

Antique ART Garden said...

I was going to comment on how Bohemian your color choice was~BUT!~you could have written an entire entry about the romantic wood piece your husband made you close your eyes for! I would say you two need a room ;), but I see you're going to get a caravan soon, so don't bother!!!!Lookin' fab.

Diana Studer said...

Your gate is cornflower blue, with a singing undertone of purple. 'S wonderful, one of my favourite colours!

Skeeter said...

I love that shade of purple and the passion flower will look wonderful trailing along!

Wow, that is some renovation you are doing to the caravan! I just love following this project as you two are so creative and cleaver with your ideas!

How Sweet of DH to give you the knothole heart. Such a sweetheart you have there…

Of course I have already seen your homemade treasures and the tiny dolls put yet another smile on my face.

Great picture of Kitty! Looks so smug in that pic…

Yep, soon the heat will have me staying inside. Today I wanted to go out so badly but I am having a bit of sinus pressure in the eyes and the heat is climbing. I think it is about time to turn on the AC for the weekend. Grrrrrr, I love spring and hate for it to leave us but seems it will and soon…

Floridagirl said...

Love that gate color! The passionflower color does match it perfectly. And the heart knot is so cool!

NanaK said...

Very nice purple for your gate and those iron pieces. Your pairing the passion vine with that area is going to look fantastic. I'm starting to see the big picture on that caravan now. You and hubby have really stuck with refurbishing it and it is paying off.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Hi FlowerLady, I love the color of your gate, and the way you put it on the other pieces. I don't think the bench looks too light. In fact, I think everything looks just right, as will your caravan when you finish it. How sweet of your husband to give you the wood with the heart!

Your roses are looking lovely, as always.

Thanks for your comment on my last post. I still don't have all of my energy, but am not coughing quite as much.

Marti said...

I love the purple gate and wrought iron! It looks like it matches the passion flower exactly.

As difficult as it is to frame in house, I can imagine how much more difficult in a smaller space. Your hubby is doing an amazing job in there.

I love the heart-knot. So sweet of him to bring it to you.

Your roses and crochet are gorgeous, as usual. That last one is my favorite too.

We missed the rain and the cool front. It's only in the high 70's so far today, but so humid it feels like a sauna outside. Good thing there is a breeze or it really would be miserable. Enjoy your cool days.

sweetbay said...

The passionflower will look fantastic with the metal colors. Your crochet work is lovely.

Masha said...

Your bench area is delightful, I am glad you added the paint. Your roses are lovely, the live ones and the crochet ones, thank you for all the lovely pictures.

Kit said...

Oh I so love the purple! It fits you to a tee! You always come up with the perfect thing for your garden. :) Kit

Laura R. said...

LOVE the color of your gate! Can't wait to see pictures once the passionflower starts vining. Now I really want a passionvine that color. Gorgeous!

Autumn Belle said...

I too like your purple coloured gate. The passionflower is a lovely idea. The handicraft items are really sweet. Oh, how I'd love to do some crochet roses like yours. The best gift is truly the heart-shaped wood. This is so meaningful and touching!

Karen said...

It's raining at the moment, so I'm Finally popping in for a visit. I've been gone far too long, I've missed you.

What a dear, romantic man your husband is. The heart knot is so sweet. The caravan is coming along so well, I wish I could say the same thing about our silly Aaargh!

I adore the color of the gate, what a gorgeous shade. I have a lot of wrought iron to paint this year and it's so much fun to give it a new finish.

Your crochet flowers are just gorgeous, I could see them adorning a wedding gown.

And that sweet Tork, what a special, special kitty. Such a sweetheart!

jerilanders said...

I am loving it all! That purple was just the right touch and I am glad you continued it on the other pieces. I have 2 wrought iron SUNS and I never really liked them much, but I think with a bright splash of paint, they just might do.
Your caravan is going to be smashing, my dear! Your husband does a great job of "winging" it. I can't wait to see the decor, when you get to that point.
What lovely, delicate crochet pieces, makes me want to re-learn the needlework I once knew.
So Tork is a "Kneader" too? I have one of those, but the problem is that she also licks as she kneads.

Val said...

I love the colorful gate and also the stained glass window inside your caravan. Gorgeous!

Becca's Dirt said...

That's a lot of work on the camper. Is it road worthy too? Love 'Penelope'. DH was so sweet to bring you the rock. Love the color of paint you used and agree it adds a nice pop of color.

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

You are so creative, Flowerlady! That purple color brings a new tune to the garden!