Tuesday 6 November 2007

Another day of RED

I have been lucky enough to have a day off work today (legit, honest, I am yet to use up my 'skive' day)
I have been busy trying to sort out out third bedroom into an oasis of calm, instead of clutter. I have so far managed to fill two bags of rubbish, two of clothing and another two of general charity shop 'stuff'. The room is gradually becoming clearer, and I can even see the floor! The stuff I cannot bare to be parted from is all of my old college files and projects. Even though I am sure I will never use it again there is a huge box full of assignments that I sweated and cried over for two long years, and they have been safely tucked away until I am feeling a little bit braver. (or we move to a bigger house...)

One thing I did find which raised a big smile was a collection of childrens books that I 'acquired' from my study years, and being red, this one in particular stuck out like a sore thumb...




I learnt to read with these books, and they are from a series called 'One, two, three and away!' This one is about Roger Red Hat. I also have Billy Blue Hat, Johnny Yellow Hat and Mr Brown. I loved these books as a kid, and used them to teach my kindergarten class several years ago as well. Happy Days.

Given the amount of red stuff in my house I think I may have taken it all a little bit too much to heart...talking of which...

Whilst tidying up and straightening the very small number of rooms in our house I came across an obscene amount of hearts. They tend to hang on door handles, from hooks, anywhere really. I think I was going for a country cottage look. Maybe one day..here is a selection...


If I learnt to sew I could make them and save a small fortune perhaps.

The other red thing I had to photgraph today is the seed head from my Magnolia tree in the garden. Dad rescued this tree about 4 years ago from a garden centre where it was on its last legs (roots?) and it has flourished in the garden. We have had more and more flowers each year, but this is the first year that these pods have arrived. They started off bright green and fluffy, and have gradually changed into this....



I'm not quite sure whether to leave them, or wait for them to dry and try and replant them, maybe if anyone has any suggestions they could let me know.

I came across a book on floristry this afternoon whilst tidying up one of the book shelves. I did a course in floristry a couple of years ago but haven't done much since. I had an inspiring flick through the book and whizzed out to tesco to buy the cheapest flowers I could find. I am really not a fan of chrysanths, but they do last a long time so I fiddled around for a while and came up with this. God they do smell awful!!

11 comments:

Mocha Sticks said...

Love your collection of hearts! - I am a HUGE fan of anything heart shaped! I'm a florist, and I'm with you on the Xanthes...horrible whiff, although I love the frogs and Shamrocks :-)

Garden Girl said...

wow- a real life florist? How exciting!(although now quite embarrassed about my pitiful attempt!) My dream is to open a huge shop with books in one corner, florists in the other and coffee shop in the middle. One day..thanks so much for your kind comments x

Unknown said...

I LOVE the flowers (not a big fan of Xanthes either but you have made them look nice).Pam is fully emersed in a flower arranging course at the moment (not that she needs one, she's just showing off) and is apparently producing some wondeful stuff. No doubt you can discuss at New Year whilst I fall asleep in a corner.
P.S THROW THE SCHOOL PROJECTS AWAY - you will never use them again and it will mean one less removal van if you ever move. Bloke would be thankful if nothing else. xxxx

Garden Girl said...

Young Nicola, please take a deep calming breath- the projects are hidden and I am dusting under your bed as we speak..I AM looking forward to seeing Pam and Franco so much..sigh.x

The List Writer said...

Oh I am SEW going to make you some more red hearts - ha ha!!

Don't throw away Roger Red Hat etc - they'll be worth a fortune in years to come...maybe!

Garden Girl said...

Oooh, yes please!!
I nearly snuck the strawberry in between the hearts but didn't want to divert peoples attention from the hearts!!

Unknown said...

the list writer is quite right - apparently copies of Roger Red Hat are going for over £25 on ebay. I am still holding onto my full complement of NatWest piggybanks in the hope that they will one day make me a millionaire...x

Garden Girl said...

so shall be hiding the book collection at Christmas then..how come you get to hang onto pigs and I have to throw away my folders?Not fair!

Mocha Sticks said...

I thought your arrangement was lovely! That's quite bizarre, I always wanted a book shop, florist and coffee shop - are we related?!?! I've always imagined the book shop near where I live as being the venue! Oh well, I console myself that most florist shops don't do very well (unless you have loads of money) so I work from home, I'd make no money on the book shop as I'd be keeping all the books and the coffee shop idea is happening for me next year :-) so 1 out of 3 "aint bad".

Garden Girl said...

wow- that sounds great! What are you calling your coffee shop?One has just opened opposite my office-one of my top tips (am sure you have already thought of though)is to encourage local businesses, ie.with loyalty cards/vouchers for a free muffin with any coffee,free refills etc.Unfortunately she hasn't done any of that and isn't quite getting the custom he had hoped for (she also shuts at 3pm every day which wasn't a great move in my opinion...)may do a blog on coffee shop ideas next!!Best of luck to you-it sounds fabulous!x

Lina said...

Love your heart collection, mine is very similar!