Monday 2 March 2009

Two's company



What a week! A week that's kept me away from my blog and from most of yours too. A week when we had glimpses of Spring and a day when it was definitely Spring. A week in which I spent the day that was Spring indoors teaching ragwork to a group of children. Although I didn't feel the warmth of the sun on my face, the bright and cheery colours that these children chose for their work more than made up for it.




I have done workshops for children before and am always amazed at how unphased they are when it comes to using colour. The brighter the better, the more of it the better too. No caution here, complete abandon when it comes to the box of coloured fabrics. Handfuls were grabbed and played with and ragged and slowly (very slowly) beautiful squares of vibrant patterned ragged pieces appeared.


(vintage threads in my Etsy shop)

There's nothing like those faces of concentration inches away from their work, playing with the colours and relaxing as they get the hang of it. In fact they relaxed so much that the noise level grew alongside their artwork and my mad dash home at the end of it was interrupted by a much needed stop at the supermarket for a packet of yumyums which I devoured in the car park!!



We also had some colour coming into our home. A few weeks ago one of M's oldest friends came to stay. He now lives in France and as a 'thank you' sent me this beautiful vintage advertising card for orange flower water.



Aren't the colours zingy and zappy, it really brought some much needed cheer to a dull morning when I opened it up. So kind, unexpected and thoughtful of him.



Then at the weekend, this lovely little bag of promise arrived for me. The very talented Niki read in my last post that I really wanted to fill up my borders with beautiful flowers this summer.. Well, lo and behold, a beautifully packaged fabric bag full of hollyhock seeds from her own garden. Thank you Niki! So my task over the next few weeks is to watch over these babies and protect them from all the creepy crawlies and paws that are also interested in them- a mammoth job in our garden.



So I have been spoilt, rushed off my feet, tired, a bit of a whirling dervish this past week, but spoilt with gifts from afar. Many thanks too to all the lovely people who have been buying my lavender sachets, I am so pleased that you like them, lots of lovely friendly supportive emails coming my way this week from you, thank you! I'm sorry I haven't been round to all your blogs lately, I'm hoping that I won't be so busy in a week or so - I know for a fact Mr Roses will be pleased to hear that, as my air of distraction is testing even his patience at the moment - I popped into town on Saturday morning and apparently left the front door wide open behind me, Mr Roses fortunately found the cats hatching their great escape plan just in time.



And before I forget, like last year when I got the date wrong, it's time for a celebration. The Ragged Roses are two tomorrow (Tuesday). Two years ago on a very warm sunny Spring afternoon I sat hesitatingly in front of the keyboard and, with Mr Roses egging me on, I pressed the publish button and ever since you've kept me company. Thank you.



As I have been such a greedy guts in the old pressie department this week, perhaps I should share something with you ... How about a birthday giveaway? In the absence of jelly and custard (although I hope that you dear Mrs Custard will be taking part- I can't have a party without you), there has to be some presents. After all, what kind of a two year old party is it without friends and presents? I'll put all comments in a party bag and choose a winner next week. Thank you for keeping me company.

60 comments:

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Can I wear my party frock???
Just you try and stop me Mrs M...
I will be wearing the silliest hat and eating the most jelly!
You have been wonderful company and long live Ragged Roses...
Happy Birthday to you!

Dxx

P.s This absent-mindedness is contagious.. I left the back door open all night too!

Hen said...

Congratulations on your two year anniversary, that's quite an achievement! I love jelly and custard so I might have to make some to celebrate with you...
Hen x

April said...

Happy birthday to you! I'll bring some cake to the party

April xx

pinkgreen said...

Happy 2 year blogging birthday! Your use of colour is an inspiration, and I always like to check out your posts even in the busiest of weeks.
Enjoy your jelly and ice cream, although I find it isn't a party without Party Rings!
Cathy XX

Thecraftytrundler said...

I like Jelly & custard too!!! Can we have pink blancmange rabbits in green jelly too??!!!
Congratulations on your 2nd blogversary!

Sharon xxx

Sal said...

Hi there Kim!
Many congratulations!!
I love Jelly ;-)

Simone said...

Happy 2nd Blog Birthday Kim. My blog was 1 year old yesterday!!!I love the colours of the rag balls. I bet you got a lot of satisfaction passing on your skills and knowledge to the children even if they did drive you to Yum yums!!!

Shabby Chick said...

Happy two year blogiversary! I do love a party :D

Your photos are so pretty and I bet the kids had a whale of a time! I loved hearing about the Yum-Yums, that's the sort of thing I do as well :-S

Mel xxx

Shsjndkdns said...

Happy Bloggy Birthday! The photos in your post today are just lovely - full of colour. I am off to RSVP to my invite! :D X

A Bun Can Dance said...

Hello Kim, I love all those sorbet coloured rag balls in your box of tricks- they look positively edible! Congratulations on your 2nd Birthday! Yours really is a most lovely blog to visit, and I look forward to hearing many more of your stories. Happy days. Denise

A time to dance said...

what a wonderful post..i loved all your wonderful pictures...thank you for all the pleasure that your blog has given me...I always look forward to reading your news and looking into you journey through life.....big hugs..H

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your 2nd birthday. I love popping in to see whats happening, it always cheers me up. Must be the colours.
As for parties, who could resist, must make sone fairy cakes now with sprinkles.

Teresaxx

pigeon pease said...

Makes me think of Dream Topping and Angel Delight, which is fab with jelly, to many more years.

lynn x

Greentwinsmummy said...

Happy Bloggy Birthday!that little bag of seeds is so beautiful! I was given 2 hollyhocks last year,they grew to towering heights & I am hoping they have self seeded so I have more this year :o)
GTM x x x

A Thrifty Mrs said...

Ooh congrats on you two year anniversary. I did the very same with the front door this morning, luckily I was only nipping to the corner shop.

Gina said...

Congratulations on being two. Can I come to the party? I love the colours in those balls of rags.

Emma Herian said...

Two years! My they have been good.
I shall pop round for that jelly and custard, any chance of a warm supper, my oven has broken!
Lovely threads, how could you part with them?
Spk very soon
Emx

Lisa said...

Could I have ice cream with my jelly please?
Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary.
I love to read your blog, always full of colour, beautiful things and adventures of how a happy family get along.
Lisa x

Niki Fretwell said...

I hope that you've had your share of the lovely sunshine today as well...a delightful post Kim, full of colour and charming writings.
Congratulations on your 2nd Birthday - I love to visit your blog, and look forward to another year of Ragged Roses.
(Hope the seeds will do their thing for you!)
Niki x

Elizabethd said...

Two years! Congratulations!
Your little French cards and sachets are just so pretty, no wonder they are going so well!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Oh I love all the colors of the rag balls, kids can be such fun! Congrats. a day early on 2 fun years!

MelMel said...

2yrs wow!

I so enjoy your blog!
Love how you put your pictures together, the tray with "two" in it is my fave!

xxxx

mollycupcakes said...

Wow Kim,

Yeay two years of just the lost wonderful blogging honey, so enjoy openignyour page everytime, keep up the fabulous work. X

Can't wait to see some photos of the holihcocks, they're lovely flowers.

Children arethe best for colours aren't they, I remember doing a Easter craft workshop a couple of years ago and they little ones just went crazy with colour on all the eggcups and spoons lol it was wonderful to watch and their faces just lit up too. I must do more of these, (sorry note to self) lol

Come on over to my place and join in my heart swap honey, would love to be part of it.
Hugs,

Catherine x

Bobo Bun said...

Can I bring some balloons too for everyone?

Two years of blogging is dedication indeed - congratulations.

I think wandering minds are part of a creative spirit. A good excuse anyways.

Thimbleanna said...

Happy Two Ms. Roses! I do wish I could personally be at the party -- I would even be on my best behaviour and not bring those silly potatoes! Beautiful pics, as always!

Willow said...

Happy second birthday to you! Love reading your blog. My all time favourite post of yours was the one about taking the girls to the Yurt for your daughter's birthday - we still talk about it in the Willow household and my DD would love to do the same one day.

Willow x

French Knots said...

Oooh I love a tea party, shall we have cheese and pineapple on sticks too!
Congratulations on two inspiring years, I always enjoy your posts and lovely photos.x

Flossie and Tom said...

Happy Birthday !!

Love the colours and just going to pop over to your etsy shop to look at vintage threads.

Congratlations

Sara
XX

bellsjo said...

Happy blog birthday! Your blog was one of the first I ever read and it remains a firm favourite. I have been lurking for a while now but a celebration is a perfect time to come out of the woodwork - especially if there will be fairy cakes at the party with pink icing :-) Jo

Bertie Meadows said...

Hello, Congratulations on your two year blogaversary! It's always such a delight to stop by and see your lovely creations and treasures.
Bertie x

Jess said...

I love your blog, it is so colourful and full of vintage loveliness. Please would you take the time to have a look at my blog and my products? I am trying to gain a larger readership and promote my artwork and creations. Thank you very much

Anonymous said...

Congratualtions on your 2nd anniversary. I love popping round to see what you have been up to. I always feel inspired but don't always get round to doing anything. Oh and my husband left the front door unlocked all night!

Andrea x

julie said...

Happy 2nd Blogging Anniversary.

The colours in those pictures are just divine. Needed here, as after all the promise of last week, and even some lovely sunshine yesterday, it's turned decidedly dull, grey and rainy. Am going to feast my eyes on your blog and pretend the sun is shining though! x

driftwood said...

happy 2nd birthday! thank you for the party invite, I love jelly!

Selfsewn said...

Yay for Ragged Roses turning two! (and many more!!! (jazz hands))
I like nothing better than a handful of frazzles followed by a bite of fondant fancy!

Clare x

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on two brilliant years of blogging Kim, every post a pleasure to read. Jelly and custard sound lovely, thank you!
Love JackieMx

jo said...

Happy 2nd Birthday!! Here's to the next 2 years.
XX

Anonymous said...

Happy 2nd blog birthday. I love reading your posts, and looking at the beautiful photos - they really are eye-candy at its best.

Heidi said...

You really do have lots of color in your life right now! Those threads are amazing. Are they metallic? Congrats on two years of blogging! I just cannot imagine not blogging anymore, can you?

Hugs ~
Heidi

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your two years, looking forward to the next two years! I do love reading your blog.
Rosie x

Frog in the Field said...

What a lovely Blog!
Really enjoyed reading your post and your Etsy Shop is fantastic.

silverpebble said...

You've already given us presents- those delicious pictures - the colours are mouth watering, thanks Kim.

I'd love to be in your giveaway and I suspect a RR party would be rather a lovely affair. Happy second birthday!

Emma
x

Mary Poppins said...

How delightful for you to be celebrating a birthday :)

I am always doing things like that, it is either leaving the iron on or like you forgetting to close the front door or getting dates mixed up, when we were at our local Fete, unbeknownst to me my one year old Son at the time got out of his little pushchair. I was holding the handles whilst chatting to a friend,then somebody else's child got into the pushchair, and at the end of my lovely conversation with my friend went off with someone elses child, well I think I noticed in about two minutes when the voice coming from the pushchair sounded a little girly :)

Beautiful photographs Kim and Happpy 2nd Blogging Birthday

X

Mary Poppins said...

Ohooo and your Beautiful Blog was the very first one for me two and what inspired me so thenk you :)

X

Cut&Alter said...

I've just come across your blog after reading a rather depressing website about advanced prostate cancer and chemotherapy :( Yours makes much nicer and prettier reading!!! I'll be sure to call back again soon. x PS Happy birthday to Ragged Roses!

Country Bliss said...

Happy blogaversary, hope you have many more.
Beautiful colourful photos.
Yvonne x

Sam said...

Lovely lovely pictures!

Sam xx

Lesley (Notesfrommydays) said...

the colours of the fabric and the threads are gorgeous :-)
happy blogthday and I will eat cake in your honour :-)
Lesleyx

Garden Girl said...

Happy Belated Birthday Wishes to the Ragged Roses clan! I hope there were streamers and balloons galore.
I am so pleased to have you in my life-without you my socks just wouldn't smell the same!!
LAVENDER, I mean! Heeheeheehee.
xxxxxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Congratulations on 2 years of blogging and such a wonderful, colour filled post. Beautiful.

julie said...

Just to let you know, I have left you an award, mightly well deserved I should add. x

the pig lady said...

Happy Bog Birthday! Your blog is so inspiring with all the beautiful photos. I am just two months into blogging two years seems a long way off! Enjoy the party! Debs x

Pam said...

And Happy Blogbirthday from me too!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on TWO years 0f blogging! Such lovely photographs of beautiful things...very moreish.
Margaret and Noreen

Carol said...

Happy 2nd Birthday Kim.
Gosh where does the ime go?
I love the seed packet Lavender Bags you made.
Have a super weekend.
Carol xx

Anonymous said...

Happy Bloggy Birthday!

Just the colours in the photos on your last post cheered me up on a rather grey day.

Enjoy your blog hugely

Louise said...

The threads are very pretty, the pink and green looking lovely against the bag of seeds. Congratulations on your second blog birthday, another packet of yumyums in celebration I think. x

Bluebell said...

Congratulations on your second birthday!
I often pop over to see your blog and was interested in your ragwork.I have seen your lovely creations on Etsy and was inspired to have a go.Could you give me a little beginners background, how do you make/find your rags and where to get hold of basic material.
I am from the North East and I remember hooky mats at my Nana's but never knew how to make them! It would be great if you could share some information.Thanks!

Bluebell

Shirl said...

Happy Blog Birthday ... :0)

Lovely piccies, thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Your blog is such a joy to read and the photos so beautiful! It lifts me up on the dullest of days. Your reading suggestions have inspired me and I was lucky to find 'I Capture the Castle' at my library and so enjoyed it. Thank you and a very happy 2nd blog birthday!