Linen and Lace

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

2010-12-07T17:12:00.007+11:00

Sometimes you just need the help of a man !!

Apologies for not posting but just something I fail to do. I really enjoy seeing other peoples work and reading about what they are doing but would rather be stitching than writing about it myself. I do appreciate the time that people put into their blogs and a big thank you for giving me lots of inspiration and the chance to see such wonderful finished work. I can't promise things will change for me but will try and at least put up more photos.

However I am now starting to feel that Christmas is just around the corner and did enjoy exchanging small gifts with a group of friends this morning. We meet once a fortnight and although not a lot of stitching gets none during the time we are together I really love show and tell and catching up with their news.

Two groups I belong to had Christmas breakups last Saturday and unfortunately they always clash. Ellen liked the 'animal print' needlecase and scissor fob I had stitched for her and I received the most beautiful patchwork table runner from Sandra. (photos to follow).

Last Friday I helped put up a huge 3 storey high Christmas tree in the foyer of our local council offices. The tree is covered with hand made decorations made over a period of time from various local groups. The morning went like clockwork with all the branches numbered plus the number of decorations to go on each branch. Now to try and get some decorations up at home !! plus finish off some more Christmas gifts. My aim this year was to finish all the cards, including a large number of handmade ones, by 1st December and at least I almost managed that. Now to get those gifts finished in the next few days.

The beauty of the garden

2010-02-05T11:43:00.004+11:00

It is so refreshing to walk into the garden after some showers of rain, especially after more hot days. I have this beautiful rose - Paul Bocuse -waiting in its pot for planting into the garden and already it is showing its true beauty - lots of lovely buds have turned into the most beautiful blooms. I have come to realise that roses seems to cope better with hot dry conditions so I am now looking at them in a different light as we replace other plants in our garden.

Looking Forward, Looking Back

2010-02-02T16:03:00.000+11:00

I can't believe one month of 2010 has already slipped away and although I did promise myself I would post at least once a month I now find I am a few days late - all due to the fact I keep changing my mind about the photos I was going to show and then deciding they weren't good enough.

The photos will wait for another day but I felt I did have to add this short poem which I really love, even if a little late. Is it really 10 years since we were all talking about a new century? If the next 10 years go so past I will have to learn to stitch a lot quicker to get though all my WIP and UFO !! Hot weather does slow up the amount of stitching so can only hope for a nice cool autumn. Autumn in Melbourne is certainly my favourite season - warm days and cooler nights.

Another fresh new year is here …
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest …
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”

-William Arthur Ward

Promise to be back soon !!!

Our sadness continued

2009-08-02T18:42:00.000+10:00

Our sadness continued when our darling Burmese Mia passed away on 22 July. It was so unexpected and came as such a shock, especially after the death of my dear mother. Mia had only been unwell for a couple of days and we never dreamed when we took her to the vets that she would not be coming home with us. Her precious sister Chloe, from the same litter, is missing her so much. They were always together and such good friends. Mia gave us so much pleasure for over 17 years and our home will never be the same now that she has gone.

My Dear Mother now at peace

2009-08-02T18:31:00.000+10:00

After 5 weeks in hospital my dear mother passed away on 6th July. A very independant lady who faced breast cancer so bravely three years ago. After surgery and 6 weeks of radiotherapy she declared 2007 and 2008 were great years for her but unfortunately the cancer returned this year. She was not afraid of dying and was an inspiration to us all. I was fortunate to have been able to spend a lot of time with her during her last 5 weeks and talk over all the happy times. She will leave a huge space in my life and I miss her heaps.

2009-08-02T17:36:00.000+10:00

Lest We Forget

2009-04-25T21:14:00.006+10:00

Today I remember all the brave people who have fought to make Australia the wonderful country that it is today.
I am especially thinking of my brave grandfather who was a horseman with the New Zealand Army and fought at Gallipoli and also my uncle John who was awarded the Military Medal for his actions at Morlancourt, Somme, France during World War1.

Fair and Square Swap Round 11

2009-02-26T16:52:00.004+11:00

These are the squares I received from Bridget for Round 11 of the Fair and Square Swap. The words seem perfect as we reflect on the devastation of the bushfires in Victoria and floods in Queensland over the last few weeks. Thank you Bridget and I hope you continue to enjoy the swaps

Victorian Bush Fires

2009-02-12T20:23:00.008+11:00

I think these photos will help to give people some idea of the terrible fires that has resulted in 1000 homes lost and at this stage 181 people have lost their lives but unfortunately the authorities are warning that this figure is likely to increase and could even reach up to 300. Everyone is still finding it hard to accept and at least we have had cooler weather this week which has allowed the wonderful fire fighters to continue getting things under control.

2009-02-12T20:05:00.001+11:00

Bushfires create worst day in Victoria's history - 100+ dead

2009-02-09T14:28:00.004+11:00

It is hard to believe the disaster that has happened in our beautiful state over the last few days. I am feeling quite numb after listening to the news and seeing the footage of what has happened. The papers were warning us on Friday that Saturday would be a horrible day with very high temperatures and strong winds but I don't think anyone would have dreamed that it would end so bad.
The temperature was the highest recorded in Melbourne at over 46 degrees celsius - 115F and even up as high as 48C - 118.4F in some suburbs. The north winds were so strong. The cool change arrived late in the afternoon and with it a change of wind direction and unfortunately that was one of the worst thing for many as the fires then changed directions. The end result was so many deaths caused by people leaving there homes to escape the fires but being caught as the fires were traveling at such a pace. Many others stayed in their homes but were not even safe there.

107 people are now confirmed dead and many others are still missing and fears held for their safety. Red Cross has set up an appeal along with the Salvation Army and I am sure everyone will be helping with whatever they can give.

The fire fighters are doing an amazing job - away saving others homes not even knowing they have lost their own. All it not over as there are many fires yet to be controlled however it seems the cooler weather should be of help.

My father was involved in the 1939 Black Friday Bush Fires and was the first vehicle into the town of Noojee. Lives were saved as the people stayed in the river. Dad drove non stop between Noojee and Warragul for hours (I think it was for a couple of days)with injured people. He always suffered with eye problems all his life because of driving through the falling ash.

My heart goes out to all the people suffering and at the moment we are just watching the news footage and reading about it in disbelief. It seems pointless to be writing about stitching when so many are suffering - over 700 homes lost just so unreal. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those people suffering in so many ways. Some of lost homes, some family members and others who don't know what has happened to neighbours and friends and just waiting anxiously to get some news.

45o (113 Fahrenheit) too hot to stitch !!!!

2009-01-31T08:59:00.006+11:00

We have been having a record breaking heat wave reaching 45 degrees (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in Melbourne yesterday and I am really over it!!!! Summer is not my favourite season and I just can't wait for autumn to arrive - one month to go. Our air conditioner can't cope with these temperatures so the house is really not cooling down a lot plus the overnight temperatures have still been so high. I really do get frustrated when I can't stitch. Today won't be much better at 40 degrees.

Only made a little progress on my Derwentwater Design - one of a pair which I got during my visit to England. I am enjoying working the design which is by Rose Swalwell, based on the designs of Margaret Macdonald and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. (Not very good photos but it is too bright and hot to take them outside).

I have sent off my Round 11 Fair and Square Swap to U.S.A. this week so am pleased to be a little ahead given the fact that not much stitching happened this week.

Goodhart Sampler Book Arrived

2009-01-20T21:31:00.006+11:00

am so pleased to have received The Goodhart Sampler Book - a Christmas present from my husband the other week and have really enjoyed spending time going through it. . The photography is wonderful and Needleprint deserve a medal for the great job.

I was lucky enough to see part of the sampler collection during my recent visit to U.K. and would certainly recommend a visit to Montecute House to everyone.

These photos were taken as we waited to go inside. The details about the house we had showed the opening time as 10am but when we arrived the house didn't open until 11am. I am so glad we waited the hour as it was well worth it to view the samplers on show (only a third of the collection is shown at any given time). The volunteer gave us plastic magnify sheets to hold up to the samplers when she saw Sue and I were so interested. I still think we may have left nose prints on some of the glass!

I didn't not know of Montecute House before I started planning the trip to U.K. It came up as I was to visit Stoke-sub-Hamdom, five minutes away, where my great grandmother was born.

Not a lot of stitching over the last couple of days as it has been so hot. Today we had a funeral of a friend. Tom was born in Scotland and spoke of leaving the cold winters behind. The day he was married in Alice Spring it was over 110 degrees and today as we came out of the chapel after the service it was 107 degrees. Tom was a talented musician, poet and painter. Two months ago the doctors told him he only had 2 years to live due to lung problems however this was not to be. His family will certainly miss him along with his friends. Tom loved nothing better than entertaining everyone if not singing then reading his poems. A very sad day.

Reflecting back over 2008

2009-01-11T14:09:00.006+11:00

The one thing I did not do during 2008 was to use this blog as I had intended. I have always enjoyed reading a lot of other blogs and been inspired by other peoples stitching but I am afraid I just did not get around to writing and taking photos of my stitching as I thought I would. This is one thing I am aiming to change in 2009.

To me I had to look back over 2008 and write a little about it before moving on to 2009.

Of course 2008 had lots of highs and low for many people but I feel the highs certainly outnumbered the lows. For me the highlight was having a big 'O' birthday then two days later leaving my husband at home with our two Burmese cats, Mia and Chloe, while I took off half way around the world to spend 3 weeks with my friend in England. Sue has lived there for 18 years and had a number of trips back 'home' and it has always felt like she still lives here as we talk non stop, usually about stitch related topics. The trip to England was all that I could have hoped for and I did feel it was a like a magic carpet ride. Some of the highlights were -

spending a day at the Fashion and Embroidery Show at Harrogate
seeing the amazing embroidery at Hardwick Hall (home of Bess of Hardwick)
two days at the Knitting and Stitchers Show, Alexandra Palace, London
seeing the Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler at Hill Top in real life (I am now stitching this in the SAL)
visiting the Ruskin Lace Exhibition at Ruskin Museum, Corniston,Cumbria
visiting the Quilt museum and gallery at York
visiting Witney Antiques - Quaker samplers exhibition and all the other wonderful samplers
seeing the Quaker Tapestry Exhibition at Kendal - 77 amazing panels showing the history of the Quaker movement
visiting Gawthorpe Hall - great embroidery collection
visiting Montecute House and viewing the Goodhart Sampler collection - only about a third of it is one view at one time but what was on show was superb
finding the headstone of my great grandparents at Bridport Cemetery. Last time when I was there, 20 years ago, we could not find them
seeing the village of Beaminster, Dorset, where a cousin was born in 1822. I have a photo of a sampler she worked when she was 12 years old and I am stitching a reproduction of it.
plus visiting every exhibition, embroidery shop and bead shop we could find along the way.

It was during this trip while I was having a wonderful that our finances fell in a big hole, along with everyones investments. Lucky I had already purchased a few items that I just could not live without!!

My reading was somewhat slower this year than I had thought it would be but I hope to make up for that in 2009.

Stitching wise - I did not manage to stitch a Christmas ornament each month and take photos of them though I think I would have managed about 8 but not all of them were photographed.

Some of the WIP are still just that so can only hope I can change their situation within the next 12 months.

One stitching project that did give me great satisfaction was one that was featured in the November issue of Australian Country Craft. It was a needleroll that I had designed when teaching embroidery the previous year. I was very happy with the photography. The editor has asked for more projects so I need to put some time into making sure this happens.

The other stitiching project that has taken up a lot of time is a 50th Anniversary Sampler for our branch of the Embroiderers Guild. I was asked to join with 4 others to design and work the sampler but we have all agreed that we never thought it would be so time consuming now it is almost finished. Looking back it has been a very interesting exercise and has not ended up as we had first thought. At this stage I am not able to make it public until the official launch later this year.

Where did February go??

2008-02-29T15:42:00.012+11:00

I don't know where the month of February disappeared to but I do know that I can't get any of that time back. I have enjoyed the cooler nights - it seems so much more productive for. My Christmas ornament for February was another from my Mill Hill collection and was again on perforated paper - black - and quick to stitch.

The wedding sampler for Meagan was well received however I forgot to take a photo when it was all complete. The wedding was a very happy occasion and all went well. 150 guests at a great venue on Docklands. The couple are now on their honeymoon in South Africa on a safari. Talk about world travellers!

My partner for the current Fair and Square Exchange was Stephanie from U.K. I am still amazed at the wonderful package she sent. Stitchers can be so generous but Stephanie is the tops. The square she sent was so beautiful and the gifts were greatly appreciated.

The pattern Stephanie worked was part of the design An Open Heart by The Drawn Thread. This pattern was in my stash and has now moved up the 'must do' list. I usually put off finishing and making up but was so excited about this beautiful piece I have already make it up into a box pin cushion - very similar to a mattress pin cushion. I just love it!!!

My major finish for this month was Golden Gate Bridge - a design by John Clayton of Heritage Stitchcraft. It was started so long ago - put away for various reasons - but at last it is finished and I just need to get it to the framers sometime. I think the solid cross stitch using a lot of the same colour became rather boring. It will certainly be a good reminder of a trip to U.S.A. a few years ago when we did travel both under and over this wonderful bridge.

There is nothing like starting a new project and I am making that a reward for finishing off a UFO. Little House Needleworks has become one of my favorites and last year I enjoyed stitching The Bookshelf so I have now started Needlework School which is such a pleasure to stitch and should be quite quick. Progress so far...

And just to finish off a couple of photos taken during my early morning walk. We live 23 km from the city and just a 5 minute walk to 'Shepherds Bush'. I often think when I am getting dressed to go walking that I would rather stitch than walk but just know I have to do it. Maybe just seeing the sign then walking through Shepherds Bush helps. After crossing a creek my walk then takes me to a walking and bike track which runs along open paddocks with horses and cows so I really feel I am out in the country.

January Finishes

2008-02-03T17:33:00.000+11:00

It seems only yesterday when I bravely achieved my first post and I had thought I would be posting much sooner than this but for several reasons this just did not happen. At least the weather has been a little cooler which means I have at last done some stitching at night.

Managed to finish two Mill Hill Christmas santas which were worked on perforated paper with beads and thread. Seems every year I managed to finish off some Christmas ornaments in January which I had thought would be completed in December. This year I will try and at least finish one per month. If I only do Mill Hill kits which are in the stash that will take care of 12 ornaments.

The Hardanger Needle Roll by Lorri Birmingham has been in the 'to do' pile for too long but has now been completed along with the Friends Needle Roll - this one I really enjoyed. The make up was so quick as it was worked on Linen Banding so no hemming of the ends! Also completed a small pin cushion from The Victoria Sampler Beyond Cross Stitch series - a quick project but I did make some alterations. The project that has taken more time than I expected was a small wedding sampler for one of our adopted daughters Meagan whose wedding is on the 16th Feb. I had offered to make a ring pillow as I had made one for the wedding of her older sister. Meagan decided on a small wedding sampler instead and left the choice of design up to me. It would have been much quicker if I had just stitched one from a pattern in my collection but for some reason I decided to design one but this did prove to take a lot more time as I kept changing my mind over colours and elements of the design. (Oh well my star sign is Libra so that says it all). I'm still not sure about a couple of things but will have to decide quickly and have it complete in the next day or so. Here is the progress - 98% finished, I think !!

I must finish off my squares for Stephanie, my partner in this round of Fair and Square swap. I had almost finished a square for her when I came across a design in my folders and thought it was nicer. Need to try and get it in the post this week to allow a couple of weeks for it to travel to England. I can't show these until I know they have arrived safely.

I did receive a wonderful package for Margie from the U.S. I selected some patterns from her For Sale List and they arrived in a week and I was so thrilled. They are in mint condition and patterns that we rarely see for sale here. Two of the design are Garden of Life and Awake the Dawning Day which I had seen on other stitchers' blogs. They are my Blackbird Designs. There is nothing like putting the first stitches in a new project but I must not be tempted until I finish off a couple more UFOs.
Well I guess if nothing else I have managed to add some photos to this post but I am still working my way through other features. This is one time when it might help if we had children - they always seem to know more about these things. My nephew who is a computer wiz is still working in Boston and he phoned last to say that he probably won't be home for another 2 years. It was so good to see him when he was home for a couple of weeks last year.

My first post

2008-01-13T09:31:00.001+11:00

After reading so many interesting blogs I thought it was time for me to enter into the fun and use this method of keeping track of my projects. Hopefully this will be one way of recording lot of finished works and not just WIPs.

The name of my blog came about for a number of reasons - 'linen' because that is the fabric of first choice when working counted thread work. 'Lace' because some time ago I spent a lot of time enjoying bobbin lacemaking and although it is a long time since I have done any I would like to get back to it again. The combination of 'linen and lace' because this is one of my favorite pieces from The Drawn Thread and is in my bedroom and the first piece I see every morning when I wake up.

During the week I will take some photos of projects which I have recently completed and post them to the blog.

The weather over the last few days has been over 40 degrees which is far too hot for stitching but the time has been spent sorting through patterns and fabric - it will be interesting to see just how many items I can get finished in one year.