inspiration from across the pond

I'd like to take a brief interlude from our usual Post A Day in May and share some recent inspiration for a collection of fabric flowers called "Mrs. Forrester". It came to me on Sunday night while I was watching the charming Cranford series on PBS. Cranford was written by Elizabeth Gaskell and takes place in a rural English town on the brink of change in 1840. It has it's share of heartbreak, but often takes a lighter note with some very funny escapades.

These are a few of the things that really struck me from the period costumes -

• Ruffles in eyelet and lace
  
• Dresses in muted tones and small prints
• Pretty hats

With those things in mind, I made a lavender sachet with the following -

• Two types of eyelet ribbon
  
• Liberty of London fabric
  
• Fabric called New England Quilts
• Linen
• Lavender
  

The name is taken from one of the most delightful characters in the show - Mrs. Forrester. She is so cute and reminds me of a special family friend. This "collection" might be a limited edition of one, because that center ruffle took me a really long time and was eye-to-eye with the trash at one point - ugh!

Note: Scott is having a special birthday this weekend so we're going to be away and computer-free. Have a good one!
Photo Credit : Cindy