Silk crepe de chine silk shirt (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
My best laid plans rarely work out as intended and there’s always something last minute about most things I try to do. This was true of the photo session I’d planned in Cornwall – the only time me, a few embroidered bits of clothing and daughter No 2 were going to be together before Christmas. The days had been full and come sundown on our last evening none of the desired photos had been taken, no suitcases had been packed and the fridge and kitchen in general had yet to be emptied and cleaned out.
Detail of hand embroidered silk crepe de chine blouse (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
Fortunately the small person saved the day and made quite sure we were all up early on our last morning, well very, very early as he had uncharacteristically suffered the most disturbed of disturbed nights. With everyone suffering some degree of sleep deprivation, moods verged from frivolous to lightly hysterical and the morning opened to us tiptoing a fine line between slapstick comedy and tears of exasperation (mainly mine) … all before breakfast.
Detail of hand embroidered silk crepe de chine blouse (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
I did, however, get my photos taken and I even found myself beginning to smile weakly as the sun came up and made everything in the garden lovely. The small person had had a most civilising effect, punching well beyond his weight, years and wisdom. The usual bickering of the family on holiday seemed so pointless when there was someone so jolly and amusing to be distracted by. The two aunts gained sleeves full of brownie badges, taking it in turns to read books, kick footballs round or just keep gimlet eyes on him while he amused himself – his parents even managed the odd meal or swim together.
Detail of hand embroidered silk crepe de chine blouse (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
At 10.30 am Saturday we duly tumbled out of the house having left it tidy and even moderately clean after our week’s occupation. I had developed a small neurosis about keeping the Corian sink immaculately clean and ensuring the very beautiful granite worktops remained scratch free, and in both I think I was successful which gave me a small bubble of pleasure. We dispersed in 2 cars. Ours dropped off daughter No 3 to her new digs in Penryn and daughter No 2 at Truro train station.
Detail of hand embroidered silk crepe de chine blouse (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
The vicar and I were then intending to take a meandering journey home stopping off consecutive nights for bookings in two small hotels in pleasant country places and arriving home unhurried. Alas that was not to be. Our clutch went just out of Honiton at 7pm. The AA were pretty prompt but the relay teams were circumscribed by statutory break times and tachograph readings so we found ourselves back in Oxfordshire at 1.20 on Sunday morning. Now what was I saying about the best laid plans…
Hand embroidered silk crepe de chine blouse (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
The photos show a crepe de chine sailor collar shirt embroidered in silk threads.
Hand embroidered silk crepe de chine blouse (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
10 Comments
The embroidered blouse is beautiful – a lovely piece of work!
Thank you Rachel for such a lovely comment.
lovely design and beautifully executed. your daughter must be thrilled.
A kind comment, I much appreciate it.
Your embroidery work is so beautiful and this blouse is as well. Your daughter will enjoy wearing it to special events.
Lovely to hear you like the blouse. Thank you for taking the trouble to comment.
Well, an exciting and eventful family holiday – such times as memories are made of…. Such a shame about your clutch but there you are…. cars have their way of being heard too. Beautiful embroidery and a very lovely model for your blouse collar…. Hoping you have settled down again… all the best from here… very busy finishing the magical animals quilt and knitting for the new arrival to be….
Well what is life about if it’s not taking the rough with the smooth, Lydia? (Fortunately I had my knitting when we broke down – otherwise I may not have been quite so tolerant of enforced idleness.) Enjoy your quilting and knitting for the new grandchild – how busy you must be.
Superb. I am full of admiration for your work, words and photos, Mary, but possibly more full of envy for your consummate skill in putting it all together into a blissful harmony.
As usual Penny your comment is rich in hyperbole – though that doesn’t stop me appreciating every letter of your over the top compliments!
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