I don't have much for you today, just a bit of this and that. I have been busy as usual with work and life. I know you are all busy, too.
A few weeks ago I took a skirt I have had for years and did some damage control. It was bright green, bright blue and yellow. It was a bit garish, I think I only wore it once or twice. With nothing to lose I let it soak in beach for hours. After rinsing it all out I bought some dark blue dye at the grocery store and plopped the skirt in. Many, Many and I mean many rinsings later, and a good soak in vinegar I have this lovely skirt to wear. I am pretty happy.
The darker colors are the colors that did not bleach out. I sort of like the gray/brown color it ended up. I am actually wearing it right now, comfortable and mush less flashy. I am pretty subdued by nature, so this skirt is perfect for me now.
Today has been about catching up at home. I worked 13 hours yesterday, I have to catch my breath today. So cupcakes have been made and are cooling so I can frost them with agave sweetened icing a little later this afternoon.
Blueberry muffins are cooling. Mr. 20 year old loves them so I thought I would make another batch before he leaves.
Taco soup is in the crock pot which will make an easy dinner later in the day.
My new sweater has been cast on. Do you remember the Berroco yarn I bought to make Berroco's pattern Nijo? I am loving the color and the texture of the yarn. The Pattern is pretty easy, but a bit fiddly on rows 1 and 3. The yarn while lovely is a tad splitty, so I am having to go at a slower pace. But I am thrilled to be working on something new, nothing beats a new yarny project.
My gardenia's are in full bloom. They are gracing my table as we speak. I love their gorgeous, soft white petals. And oh my if you could smell them you would swoon.
I have several bushes that bloom a few days apart which leaves me with beautiful flowers for a few weeks. They always bloom before Mother's Day, sort of like my own special present from the Earth.
I wish I could send each and everyone of you a flower. I think you deserve one don't you? Wishing you a wonderful day my friends.
Oh I like the skirt! I do like those colors together. Can't wait to see what sweater you are working on. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you get to rest a little, you are working way too hard.
((hugs)) to you sweet friend.
What a fantastic way of updating your skirt Meredith, I am not a fan of bright colours either, but would happily wear something in your "new" colours!
ReplyDeleteThose flowers look just heavenly, each on is perfect.
With much love to you and your family, Helenxx
Those flowers are so beautiful, how lovely that they bloom in bursts so they last longer. I love your skirt, the colours are gorgeous and work so well together, your new project looks so pretty and lacey xx
ReplyDeleteNice job on the skirt! I love the colors in it now. Gardenia is my favorite flower scent. Mmm...I can smell it now. They are gorgeous. Have fun with your new sweater.
ReplyDeleteI can smell those Gardenias from here! Heaven in a vase! Lovely result on the skirt, you clever girl. Happy Week to ya, my friend. x
ReplyDeleteWell done with the skirt, it always feels great to get a new use from something that wasn't quite 'right' and is now perfect. The gardenia looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the skirt makeover!! I'm glad that you are loving it now. Your gardenia is really beautiful, and make such a lovely display. Hope that you can find some relaxing knitting time after all that busyness. xx
ReplyDeleteI can totally see you wearing that skirt with the new colors. It's so earthy and subdued. Just perfect.
ReplyDeleteI haven't made your muffins yet. With the butter, it will have to wait for a "cheat" day and I don't get another one of those until June.
:-(
Dear sweet Meredith YOU are a clever girl!!! Now you have a lovely skirt that you will wear : ) It looks great and it does look comfortable too. Loving you new start to that sweater, the color is yummy and so are your muffins. I think you are on a "muffin craze". Gardenias are so pretty, they look so nice on your table. I would love to have that smell around!
ReplyDeleteGreat visiting you, xoRobin
Your skirt has turned out so well -doesn't it feel good when you can make something useful out of something you are no longer in love with.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Caz
The gardenias are exquisite, I'm glad you're enjoying them. The new project looks lovely, a beautiful colour. And the skirt is a triumph, it's so satisfying to do something like this isn't it. Hope you have a good week Meredith. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteThe gardenias are gorgeous, I can almost smell them here, love how your skirt has turned out, I would enjoy wearing one like that and in those colours too. I'm loving the look of your new yarny project. :)
ReplyDeleteLove your skirt lady!!! Love gardenias too. Thanks for giving me one. I can smell it in chicago !
ReplyDeleteIm knitting lace too. oddly enough. Is it the warmer weather that has us reaching for holes?
Love your skirt lady!!! Love gardenias too. Thanks for giving me one. I can smell it in chicago !
ReplyDeleteIm knitting lace too. oddly enough. Is it the warmer weather that has us reaching for holes?
That skirt is awesome! Nice trick! :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THE SKIRT!!! It gorgeous! As soon as i scrolled down and saw it I thought, Ooohhhh I love that skirt and then proceeded to read how you took something you didn't wear into something you won't want to take off! Nice job! :)
ReplyDeleteMeredith I love your skirt too-I am into more earthy colors too-love the blues and browns together-vry nice.
ReplyDeleteMuffins look good-
Very clever! And what great results you got. Love those roses; ours here barely have buds!
ReplyDeleteI've been MIA. Love the skirt. Love gardenias. I grow them too, and they are one of my very favorites!!!
ReplyDeleteLittle Buddy is certainly looking happy as can be....previous post. What a cutie!
xo Kris
The skirt came out great, Meredith. That was a very clever way to remake it. I'm sure it looks very nice on you.
ReplyDeleteOh Meredith, what a sweet skirt. I never would have thought of dying it. I probably would have just put it into the donation box. You are so much more creative than I. The muffins looks delicious and I think I can smell the gardenias way up here in Nebraska! Yep. I made it. :-)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
I do like your new skirt Meredith, job well done! That yarn is a lovely colour - am looking forward to following your progress with it, and your beautiful gardenias are just that - beautiful! Isn't it lovely to be making more muffins for your boy while he's still at home - enjoy! Big hugs, Joy xo
ReplyDeleteHello my sweet friend! What a classy re-vamp of that skirt! I wish we could see it on you with one of your hand-knit sweaters. I simply adore gardenias and am very jealous that you have the growing in your yard. I have tried buying them but they just don't hang in there. Will you smell them for me?
ReplyDelete((hugs)), Teresa :-)
The skirt is adorable, a style that never dates. I Love the colours.
ReplyDeleteI love days like these, just filled with bits & bobs. And well done on the skirt, it looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteHappy rest of the week too,
hugs xx
I don't know what is more scrumptious: that pink sweater or the gardinias.
ReplyDeleteI put in a 13-hour day last week; they are killers! And you have a little one waiting for you at the end of the day.
You were brave to bleach and dye your skirt Meredith! The effort paid off - it looks very nice! Enjoy the remaining time with your son at home. I'm sure he is appreciating all the home-baked goodies. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe skirt turned out beautifully! Well done!
ReplyDeleteOoh, gardenias! Sniiiiiiffffff! Ah. =)
Your skirt came out lovely! What a good idea you had. You've been a busy girl with work and being domestic and all. Love the gardenia's and yes I think we all deserve one. I hope you are having a good week!
ReplyDelete(((HUGS)))
Eileen
That skirt is super cute and I love the colors. It would have been fun to see the before skirt. The gardenias are pretty. I rarely see those anymore.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Meredith! The skirt looks fab, the muffins, the soup, and the gardenias!!! I love those! I had a small bush and I had to yank it out because it froze. Yours look beautiful. Have a great day : )
ReplyDeleteYou're so talented. What a great way to change the skirt to one that you'll love to wear !! My Magnolia tree is in bloom and I can hardly stand it. I just want to go outside and sit underneath it and SMELL. Isn't nature lovely?? Hugs dear friend.
ReplyDeleteNice skirt, I wish you had posted a "before dye" photo also. Those cupcakes and muffins make my stomach grumble. I want to grab one through the screen.
ReplyDeleteI love how you re-purposed the skirt to suit you. You're wearing it, it's pretty, well done, Mere! I need to make cupcakes now! They look fantastic :) But I won't lie I'm totally intrigued by taco soup!! It sounds delicious! Who doesn't love tacos?
ReplyDeleteOoo. I love what you've done to the skirt, x
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have gardenias, what delights they are. And your skirt looks lovely, those colours are so you :)
ReplyDeleteWow your skirt turned out amazingly well ! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThe skirt looks great and just right for you. :)
ReplyDeleteLove that pink yarn - and the look of those gardenias - and the muffin and cupcake photos! :)
The skirt turnded out beautiful. I like the brown-grey together with blue very much. Can't wait to see more of your pink sweater. Hugs to you! Regula
ReplyDeleteHello Meredith, I've been reading through your last few posts, catching up. I just love your blog and seeing all of your creations. The lavender sweater is just beautiful. I'm sorry about your mom. Life just feels so different when our moms are no longer with us. You always inspire me to get back to writing on my blog. Perhaps I will eventually! Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteGreat skirt and yummy muffins! Your Gardenia's are absolutely beautiful!! I'm so afraid that mine won't bloom this spring!! I have a row of them - taller than myself!! I really need to cut them back a bit, but with the freezing tempts this past winter, down so low for such a long time - they got freezer burn!! They are not healthy at all :-//
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous makeover. you have been very busy. I am send big hugs to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteHello Meredith and thank you for you comment.
ReplyDeleteHow nice of you to want to give everyone a flower. You are such a sweetheart. I love the up-cycled skirt, what a great idea.
Im glad you had a nice slow paced day. Take care :)
Birgitta xx
Well, I don't know what the skirt looked like before but I am loving the colors it is now. Looks great with the t-shirt. Baking, my favorite thing to do, especially on weekends when I have more time. My gardenias weren't quite as big as yours and have all bloomed now. It was nice while they lasted. Best wishes, Tammy
ReplyDeleteYour gardenias ~~~~~~~~ yes, I am swooning~~~~~~my favorite~~~~~~~~
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :) [Your skirt is brilliantly crafted! Bravo!] xx
I love your gardenias. I have a few large ones that were well-established in the garden when we bought our house. I rarely pick them for inside though, I don't know why. I must remember to do so when they are in bloom here. The scent is divine!
ReplyDelete