Monday 17 December 2012

Stitching and Sniffing




Isn't this a glorious card? It was designed by a lady called Karen Cater, wife of a melodeon player . She trades under the name of Hedingham Fair, and this is just one of her lovely, detailed, colourful cards depicting traditional musical instruments. This one will be heading off to the young man who teaches me melodeon.

Well now, show me someone who hasn't had one or the other or both of these darned bugs going around and I'll show you a very fortunate person indeed. No household, it seems, has escaped.So hopefully we will all get the bugs out of the way in time to be on good form for the festivites. This year for the first time in I don't know how long, we are having Christmas Dinner at  Someone Elses! There are SO many things I am not having to buy or make that it seems like a huge weight off my mind. Which is ridiculous, because I actually quite enjoy having people here for meals. This year...well, this year I am just jolly pleased not to be doing it. Though Boxing Day we will be entertaining to a small degree. But that somehow doesn't seem to be such a big deal.

So without too much frenetic preparation to take care of, and because I've been 'gentling' myself through these bugs, I actually sat down and did some stitching  - long overdue!


This is the beginning of a Kindle cover. I'm making it for 'our' Kindle but am doing a spare one - I'll see how they go and maybe make a few more . I've used some fine pink linen, wadding and old sheeting to line, and some vintage fabric strips and Suffolk Puffs from A Mermaid's Tale to embellish. I'm going to lightly quilt the main body, and then bind the whole thing.


I also got off my backside and finally layered up one of the smaller quilt tops I made earlier this year. I sat and tacked it last night whilst watching the Unthank Sisters and A Very English Winter. I MAY take it to New Zealand with me....but then again it might be just TOO DARNED HOT to think of quilting out there!

I also stitched a little more applique on my basket quilt blocks...this quilt is going to be a 'work in progress' for some time to come, I can tell you!


Well I hope those of you who are interested in these things enjoyed the Unthank Sisters' film last night; I thought they did a good job of showing some of the diverse and highly entertaining winter traditions that take place in towns and villages all over England. They cut a lot out of the filming they did with us (The Ouse Washe Molly Dancers) we were the penultimate segment. And yes, I was there with my black face, black and red dress, trilby and fiddle! However I was left feeling a little irritated that as well as folks themselves being partly to blame for not supporting events like these, the British media consistently ignores or at best ridicules the rich seam of history and tradition, until the myth endures that the English HAVE no tradition, HAVE no music or dance' instead the media makes a big thing about say, the Nottinghill Carnival, or St Patrick's Day, while totally ignoring what is going on under their noses. OK rant over.

You will all be revving up towards the Big Day, and if you have little ones in your home the excitement may well be approaching fever pitch - I hope you are up to the mark and able to take it in your strides! I shall glide gently towards it myself, the past two weeks having been more than strenuous enough thank you very much!

12 comments:

  1. I now take everything in my stride! I've been making kindle covers too, not as elaborate as yours though! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'd think after umpty-tumpty decades of doing Christmas etc etc I would just get on with it, but I think being a bit poorly on one side of Christmas, and preparing to go away and all mum's organising on t'other, I just felt..not so much overwhelmed, more curiously detatched and disinterested.

      However, am back on form now!

      Delete
  2. Oooh, I missed that I'll have to play catch up! I really hope you are back fit and well to enjoy Christmas to the full. I'm loving all your makes.
    Have a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to all the new creations of 2013,
    Love Jo x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And the same to you, Jo, do check it out, by the way, I think it was quite good. Lxx

      Delete
  3. Ooh, I missed the Unthanks Lynne but will hopefully catch up on iplayer. I absolutely adored going to see them in November performing their Songs from the Shipyard. Loving your stitches Lynne you are one clever lady. My Alice has been down and out with a nasty cold this week, hopefully all well before the hols. I hope you soon feel better, when are you off the NZ? Lucky you xox oh and how lovely not having to entertain, just relax and enjoy! x P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You said it, Penny, well, visitors on Boxing Day but somehow less stressful, isn't it? We go mid January til mid Feb, can't wait!! Lx

      Delete
  4. Poor you - hope you are feeling a bit better. I must be that 'fortunate person' as we've not had anything (yet) in this house. Hope you've got the house/carpets sorted after your radiator burst. These things are sent to try us! Have a relaxing Christmas, Lynne. xCathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope this continues for you Cathy! Yes, we are ok it wasn't a huge trauma, but the timing wasn't brilliant! I love your quilt, well done and my you have worked fast!
      Merry Christmas! Lxxx

      Delete
  5. Hello Lynn . . . I hope this fines you feeling much better and that your Christmas is filled with every joy imaginable :)
    I love your Kindle cover . . . you have inspired me to make one. I wouldn't use it much, because mine is on the night stand ready for my bedtime read, but when I take it out and about traveling or to doctor's waiting rooms . . . this would be a great way to carry it. I am one of those germ-a-phobic creatures that will not pick up a magazine in a doctors office :) (too many sick people)
    Merry Christmas
    Good luck on the give-away
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hah! I too have stopped reading magazines in the doctor's or the dentist.....full of germs from germy people!

    Have a lovely Christmas, Connie, see you i the New Year! Lxxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. I saw you on the tele'! ;)

    Loved that programme, even if I did have a few quibbles with it.

    Feel better and have a wonderful Christmas Lynne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Annie, glad you enjoyed the programme - would be really interesdted to hear your thoughts on it! Am much better now, thanks, and gearing up much more than I had been, you have a great one as well. Lx

      Delete

I'd love you to comment, maybe join in the conversation - I always try and reply if I can.Anonymous spammers take note: you will not be published. Genuine posters having difficulty will be accepted. Thanks so much for visiting!