Whitework embroidered cushion with ferns (hand embroidered y Mary Addison)
I first blogged this cushion here, 6 weeks ago but put it to one side not being entirely happy with it. Most of the whitework cushions I’ve done recently have an initial or a monogram in the middle and this one definitely looked a bit empty without something there. The obvious answer often stares you in the face and it didn’t take too much thinking to realise that what this cushion needed was an extra fern. Much happier, I went on to make up the cushion.
Detail of maidenhair fern: whitework embroidered cushion with ferns (hand embroidered y Mary Addison)
In terms of maps showing the extent and intensity of coronavirus spread, we live in the South West and as such have not been subject to severe restrictions. But – as anywhere we might go in the near, and even not so near, future has – we have decided to spend the next 6 months or so at home gradually refining our possessions. Our local Red Cross bookshop is limiting book donations to 2 bags per week, which suits us just fine. My husband has found this gentle pace conducive to sorting through what remains of his theological books – much better than having to make a sudden onslaught at them which could leave him panicky and depressed. This way you can put some books to one side, think about them, even re-read them, and then send them off at a later date. I’m working through a shelf of books I’d quite like to read again but not to keep. I’m on my second Sophie Hannah psychological thriller – very clever but a bit too wordy as to psychological justification for my taste. These I shall be quite happy to read again and then get rid of. It may even make me look for secondhand copies of her books which I haven’t read … and then they too, once read, can go back to the Red Cross for someone else to enjoy.
Whitework embroidered cushion with ferns (hand embroidered y Mary Addison)
As with books, so with fabric. So, it’s been more storage bags (out of fabric languishing in a role on top of my wardrobe), mended children’s clothes that can go off to the grandchildren, repaired dolly’s knickers (can I remember where the doll is?) and tea towels made out of some soft Madras cotton that used to curtain my kitchen 20 years ago when I lived in London. I now have my eyes on making Christmas stockings out of a patchwork quilt that never really worked and making old mattress protectors into pillow protectors for the family in London. And embroidery is still there for relaxation after hours at the sewing machine!
This morning’s rain has stopped and weak sun slants through my window. Now is the time to get off to the garage to find that half finished patchwork quilt. It’s a good evening on the TV for unpicking – ‘Strictly’ early on and two episodes of the Scandi drama later on.
10 Comments
This sounds so peaceful. We are in a scary transmission area right now, and with our national election coming up on Tuesday I wish I were sitting next to you instead of here. Eventually we will come out the other side of this.
Yes, you must feel very on edge at the moment. The virus is bad enough but the election is something else.
I shall be sitting up watching British coverage of it on Tuesday through the night.
I hope you get the result you want – and that it is a clear result and one not open to query – even before the postal ballots are counted.
Honestly I worry less about the actual outcome, and more about possible violence and upheaval. One candidate in particular has been pretty vocal about no peaceful transfer of power, and has used rhetoric encouraging people to not accept an “adverse” outcome. Thank you for your concern ??
It changed my heart emoji to a couple of question marks. That looks silly.
Yes, there’s so much to feel insecure about – things you’ve never thought about having to worry about before.
Never has an election come with so many complex issues.
I can’t think of anything to wish you that doesn’t sound inadequate – two question marks sum up the confusion as well as anything can!
We were beginning to embark on a similar process, and then a series of Unanticipated Events has rather set that aside. I shall be happy to get to the end of the year with no sickness and my wits intact!
Sorry to hear about that Rachel – I think it’s at the back of most people’s minds that we may be derailed at any time by the unanticipated. Take care and look after yourself.
Mostly good, fortunately, but as I said, Unanticipated, and with inconvenient side effects. And moving life and events online may be safer for all, but it’s actually much more tiring than a live event, somehow. We’ll get through it in due course.
Sorry about the disruption you have found yourself in, Rachel – I’m sure you’re ability to just keep on going on will get you through and probably with it will come quite a sense of achievement.
Thank you!
Sometimes just curling up with a good book is restorative, of course!