Monday 29 July 2013

Scratching My Way Back!


Stitching through time


A day of sunshine
followed by a day of rain


Sitting outside enjoying the day
I heard a noisy young crow
nagging his parents for food.
Then I spied him and his parents
weighing down the top of a tall spindly tree.
As I watched
a young merlin suddenly swooshed
in trying to make a meal of the young crow.
Daddy crow shooed young merlin off
but merlin just swooped in again and managed to dislodge them whole family
and they all flew off among the trees in a great hullabaloo.


A day of replenishing all the mason jars.
Beans and seeds and lentils flying everywhere!
Then three busy days allowing only for simple stitched rows.

Monday 22 July 2013

Testing....Testing....Scratching!


I knew it would be another quiet week
so why not try out some stitches
from old, old, instruction sheets.


Monday it was a stitch called Sprat's Head
described as tailor's finishes that could be useful in embroidery.
Tuesday was thanks to Rachael who did a piece of needle weaving.
On the left is a lace filling basically twisted buttonhole.
Next is a knotted buttonhole
and on the right is Ceylon stitch that ends up looking like knitting.


Wednesday is called Sword Edging Stitch
a good cruciform shape.
Then I tried a Portuguese knotted stem stitch
quite nice but time consuming.


Found this
seemed appropriate
There was a time I thought of doing a heraldic type piece
of symbols for my three boys.
Never went anywhere with it.


Saturday was for playing with Siennese stitch
and
on Sunday Crested Chain stitch
a tough, tough stitch that I won't be using again!

Have a nice week.

Friday 19 July 2013

Day of Memories


Steven
It's been nineteen years
and we miss you.

Many of you out there
know as well as us 
the pain of loss never leaves
we just learn to live with it.

And we try to remember the beautiful times.

Something Beautiful Remains

The tide recedes but leaves behind
bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down
but gentle warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops
and yet it echoes on in sweet refrain.
For every joy that passes
something beautiful remains.

(Author unknown)

Monday 15 July 2013

Another Quiet Week Scratched


Another quiet week
though I did scratch one spindly northern spine


The fox must be wondering where the heck those Rusty Pups are
It's been so long since we walked in his territory


Our family of merlin expand their territory every day
though they come back here every night

and at night the porch light


attract a myriad of moths


Some gentle in colour


some just simple white


Some preferring the shiny painted surfaces


and this guy couldn't make up his mind.

Monday 8 July 2013

Fourteen Whole Days of Summer Just Gone Whoosh!


For the last two weeks
I've been bowled over
by a virus


I've missed my wedding anniversary
hanging a group show
the opening of our group show
My wonderful morning walks along the dike...


....and a good friend's birthday.


Thank goodness I'm on the mend now
and we plan to work at getting my strength back
this week.
Nice to be back!