Sunday, August 30, 2009

Brigitte ~ Garden Lady in Blue


Today I'm sharing something blue in our home that has morphed through changes.
Welcome back and thank you to all who participated in Barb's Rooster Party last Friday. It was a huge success. I'm still working my way through the list of parties. I may be late, but I'm not going to miss a one!

Stitching is a favorite pass time and yet another passion in my life. I'm one of those travelers who pulls out the yellow pages when I arrive somewhere and check out the needlepoint shops in town. Anyone else out there do this?


Wall of Needlepoint Canvases @ Needleworks
When I first saw Linda Ragno's Garden Ladies by Cooper Oaks Design, I was totally charmed. French Country style simply makes me happy. (Click here to read more about this artist and to view a catalog of her designs. Her work is available here at the Needleworks.)


I just had to stitch this lovely 
flower lady with her basket of lavender.


Every stitch brought sunshine 
to my days as Brigitte came to life!


With Brigitte stitched, I shopped my fabric stash and pulled out some of my favorite Souleiado fabrics from Pierre Deux. With only a small remnant of the blue, a patchwork idea quickly began to evolve.


I worked up a plan,


gathered everything together,
and took it all to my friend who is a master finisher.
I was so excited to get a call this week. 
 Brigitte was ready to be picked up!


VoilĂ , Brigitte completely finished!



























With this sweet face and French fabrics,
I decided she must share the upstairs guest room .  .  .

with another young French lady who 
loves to pick flowers from the garden.

Sophie, handmade limited edition doll - Fitzi-Contini Collectionr
Sophie has always been content to while away the days in her antique Thonet rocker, but I thought perhaps she might like to join Brigitte on the wicker settee and visit about gardening.

These two were getting along splendidly, 

when all of a sudden 
mademoiselles Gabrielle le chat 

and Zoé le lapin called
out from across the room.


Le Petite Chat and Le Petite Lapin by Ilonka
They begged and pleaded. They insisted that Brigitte join them in their comfy spot atop the quilt on the bed.  These two captured my heart back in the 1980s, and they always seem to get their way with me, so Brigitte happily snuggled in between these two charmers.

My heartfelt thanks for stopping by for a visit. Thank you to all of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit. Happy Monday to each of you!

Don't forget to stop by Smiling Sally's and Between Naps on the Porch for more Monday posts.