For The Love of Country
There are so many different styles of country – from New country to Victorian style – and we love them all!
By Jamie-Lee Hogan
 Rustic, timber and comfortable pieces are the perfect way to create a much-loved country-style home. With such an inviting and warm feel, it’s no wonder we just adore everything country, although there are a variety of different styles! They may all have many similarities but they also have a few differences too. Either way, they’re all gorgeous.
Classic country is comfortable and functional – a characteristic of this style is usually cherished pieces of furniture which has been passed down through the family. The variety of colours used to create the Classic country look includes yellows, blues, greens and peach, apricot and cream. All of these colours are timeless and as they’re toned down, they look simply stunning. And to compliment such colours, a collection of throw rugs, blankets, cushions and quilts, all in different fabrics, are usually selected. The Classic look is best achieved with framed embroideries, while collections of either china or crystal are usually found as well.
We can’t ignore the elegance and charm of the Victorian style. It’s simply beautiful and quite ornamental. This type of décor was preferred by Queen Victoria herself and regular features include ebony timber furniture – upholstered with fancy woollen and silk fabrics – together with collections of china and silver. And when it comes to craft, tapestries are standard, while floral prints came into favour in the era. Popular colours for the Victorian style include creams, olives, burgundy and pinks.
For those who prefer a little more colour, the New country style will be rather appealing. Fresh and boasting a selection of beautiful pastels, lavenders, blues, pinks and greens, this style is light and inviting. Coined ‘shabby chic’ by Rachel Ashwell, the collections and crafts favoured by New country include glassware, quilts and items such as corkboards, curtains and embroidered bedspreads. Floral fabric and artwork is usually displayed and everybody can achieve this style. Items can be found at flea markets and garage sales – simply sand them back and paint them white!
 The style which appears to blend the popular features of new and classic country is Country cottage. Interestingly enough, it emerged as most cottages were rather small – with such little room, items like cooking utensils had to be hung from the rafters while pots were stored on bench tops. Boasting a warm and cosy feel, this style is achieved by clutter, and homes are usually decorated with homemade items including quilts and patchwork cushions, as well as traditional pieces like crocheted milk jugs and embroidered doilies.
With so many different country styles, all of which are simply stunning, it’s just too difficult to choose a favourite. Instead, you can opt to create a unique style for your own home décor – and the beauty of this is that you’re free to mix and match colours, furnishings, fabrics and decorations to suit your taste. Many country styles are hybrids, with their themes continually overlapping and merging. So decide what you love most about all of the different styles of country and combine your favourites into one!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lovely Lavender
 Whether you adore the sweet smell of lavender or love to admire its beauty in the garden, it’s safe to say it’s a favourite flower amongst decorators.
By Jamie-Lee Hogan
Dried or fresh, lavender flowers are simply beautiful – planted in gardens world-wide, they can be used in a variety of ways and are extremely versatile. Used for both its splendour and perfume, the lavender plant is the perfect choice of flower for craft enthusiasts. Not only is lavender inspiring and charming, but it looks stunning when replicated on quilts, pillow cases, bags and more. Create everything from lavender moisturiser to gorgeous painted accessories for the home – any project featuring the delicate cottage-garden blooms instantly resonates a sense of calm, splendour and charm.
It’s no wonder lavender is just so popular – it even retains its perfume longer than any other flower and has been enjoyed for thousands of years for its sweet perfume, beauty and medical properties. Just like the Romans – who used lavender’s perfume in their baths – you can use it to indulge and soothe your body of aches and pains.
It is undeniably gorgeous, so decorate your home with lavender-inspired projects, whether they’re cross-stitch, quilts or embroidery, and ensure your house is infused with the delicate smell by displaying lavender in vases. If you’d prefer to take a more simple approach, hang bunches of dried lavender in various rooms of the house – the scent is sure to bring a smile to your face. Add a touch of elegance and tie a pretty ribbon around the stems! And, if you want your clothes to smell delightful, hang it in your closet.
 Avid gardeners can take advantage of this wonderful plant and create a beautiful envisage in their very own backyard. Achieving a country-feel with lavender is simple – grow it alongside a rustic pebble path, relax on your wooden garden bench and inhale the sweet scent. If you have linen or sheets drying on the clothesline it may even be imbued with the aroma and thoroughly enjoyed when you place them on your bed – just like those in the Victorian and Tudor times as they used lavender as a hedging plant, draping their sheets and linens over the bushes to dry.
Get the whole family involved and create a bevy of lavender accessories– there are many fun and easy things to make at home. Kids will especially love making lavender bags! Gorgeous and simple, just fill a small pouch with dried lavender and use a bow to secure it. Pop the bag in your drawers or under pillows – they smell divine while also soothing headaches and aiding restful sleep. Or let the kids spoil you by making homemade lavender bath bombs. They’re easy to make and you can treat yourself to a warm scented bath.
It’s no wonder the aromatic qualities of lavender are popular and much-loved – homemakers can produce their very own oils and soaps, while decorating the home with lavender and enchanting projects and those who enjoy spending time outdoors can revel in its undeniable beauty.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of our great contributors, Linda Collins of Designer Stitches filled us in on the Australian women who continue to inspire her in this issues Craft Chatter section. She sent us this great poem she’s written that we just had to share with you all.
How many Quilts?
After being asked how many quilts I’ve made,
Who I’m making this one for or that one for,
Or why and how many quilts do I think I need,
I came to the following conclusion.
I am a creator, an artist,
Just as much as a painter is.
Does anyone ask a painter who he is painting for?
Or why he is painting yet another landscape?
How many pictures/portraits has he painted?
How many canvases or paintings does he need?
No!
Does a painter stop wanting to paint because he has
reached some number that symbolises the end of his need
to paint?
“Okay that’s #100, I’m done now.”
I create because I am driven to create.
My medium just happens to be fabric and thread
Instead of oil or acrylic on canvas.
But I create for the same reason,
To express myself, to share myself, to experiment.
Even if the quilt doesn’t have a purpose, a recipient, a reason,
Quilting is my voice.
I quilt, therefore I am!
Choc-full
It's wildly believed that chocolate is an aphrodisiac and that some dark varieties are good for you, but most of us don't need a scientifically proven excuse to devour it - the delightful taste is reason enough.
Click to Choc-full (PDF file 279K)
|
