Monday 28 January 2019

In a Vase on Monday - Simple things

Celebrating simple things comes gradually as I start to recover form the plenty of the festive period.  In January like many I can feel bereft or low, but then with a few hours sunshine, and a slow sewing project, I start to appreciate and then notice all the beauty in what is around.

When there is little in the garden, I gain pleasure from the form and and structure of shrubs, then enjoy the contrast between deciduous and evergreen plants , and take in the thought that without herbaceous plants dying down I would not be able to enjoy and anticipate new shoots from bulbs and other plants emerging from the winter hybernation,  even if they can be a little nibbled.








I suppose I could have picked a few crocuses or snowdrops or cyclamen for In a Vase on Monday.  Maybe I ought to have done so, considering we are promised snow this coming week. With a small garden, I can sit in the conservatory and enjoy them easily, and with stone paths I can go out and enjoy the garden without having any grass to walk across.

Just in front of me  this morning, as I sat quietly working on a project, was a vase of a sort with something in it:



This is the Crassula Kokedama which Sandra D brought last year.  It has never been potted up....and in the picture below it is propped up with some pebbles, just to prove it.



However it is a little unbalanced now and is best in the pot with its garden angel.  Sitting and sewing quietly I was pondering the whole recycling thing, and the question of black plant pots.  Coming up soon is the period when as a person who can't help but try and propagate things like me, is thinking of what plants to sell on at the gardening club sale.  I had the answer before me:  I shall offer plants without plastic pots:  instead of planting up succulents in pots, I am going to look for moss to make Kokedamas out of them.  There is plenty of drainage and lots of air and I can even see the little maze of roots mingling with the moss.

This is the little Crassula nearly a year ago....



The project I am working is being worked on gingham, a simple but delightful crisp and colourful fabric...my first challenge was the hem, such a simple thing I thought.  After carefully cutting and pressing the fabric, came the sewing up of the hem.  Its ages since I tackled any sewing...at first I thought the hem was reasonable, then looking at it, as on the lower part below, I started to realise that if the white thread was in the white square it would definitely show less, by half was along the second edge, I was happy with the result......




I was positioning the needle to catch a thread along the stronger white line, and finally a nearly invisible stitching line was achieved.  Kay who sent me this project would approve...but I am going to leave the hem as it is as reminder to myself of the journey towards a better hem!  I can only sew in the very good light in the conservatory.  Ever since a little girl I loved gingham.....

Without first looking at Cathy's post which is also all white and green, I can now say snap however hers is definitely not simple but sophisticated.  For a little distraction do go and see what see and others are posting this week for In a Vase on Monday.




12 comments:

  1. Kokedama is all the rage here but I think you're may be the first succulent I've seen presented that way, Noelle. Still, it's a good idea. I've got succulents glued onto pieces of driftwood along with moss and they've held together very well.

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  2. Lovely to see bulbs coming up. And I applaud your plastic free Crassula concept. I have also been sewing (Satin blanket binding) and you are doing better than I am, Carry on!

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    1. It is Sandra from IAVOM who came to visit last year who started it! I just had to unpick some of the Chicken Scratch embroidery as I wrongly used double thread.

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  3. My grandmother always had a green gingham tablecloth on her dining table. Enjoy your projects and find sunshine to get you through the winter!

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    1. Thanks Susie...am enjoying the start of the embroidery bit now.

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  4. Wow!!! How wonderful to see how the Crassula has thrived in its mossy base. I love your idea for the plant sale.

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    1. Sending grateful vibes to you for this fun idea Sandra.

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  5. I like crassula and other succulents and think they're perfect for my conservatory. It's lovely to see the little flowers emerge in the garden. I find it impossible to cut them!

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  6. Your little Kokedama is doing very well. I suppose a slow growing plant is just right for it. I've always liked gingham too.

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    1. I liked gingham until about 13 when I changed my allegiance to polka dots...it felt more sophisticated at the time. I do still have a soft spot for a little gingham despite that.

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  7. Oh isn't it so exciting to see the first of the bulbs coming through Noelle! I like your little mossy packaged crassula and admire your plan to go plastic free when it comes to plant sales later this year.

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    1. I only use recyled reused plastic pots, after a good wash. However the moss covered roots were such a lovely idea, its that which I would love to share with people. A nice novel way, and I hope it will get people thinking about what is possible.

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