Wednesday 9 January 2013

Sunshine and stitching.




Well the sun is shining here in West Norfolk, in a clear blue sky, and it is so welcome after the grey and drizzle we've had recently. The real cold approaches, however, so I will be jolly glad to be leaving these shores for a wee while, heading Down Under to NZ to stay with Kit Krissie and the children. Deep Joy! The Kitchen Doorstep views are a little misleading as the sky looks a bit grey here...but it really isn't!




Some new shoots appearing, snowdrops, crocus, grape hyacinth, and a little further out of shot, some daffs pushing up through the soil. I hope the chives start appearing soon, I do miss them; but I think I need to replace some of them, we used to have masses of them around the garden but they have declined over the last couple of years.

Ouse Washes Molly side danced out on Monday evening, at The Hare Arms, a lovely pub in a hamlet called Stow Bardolph, not far away from Downham Market , West Norfolk. We would usually be dancing over at Ramsay for the Plough Monday celebrations, with a huge coterie of school children; however as the schools didn't go back until Tuesday the usual routine had to be altered. (If anyone wants to find out more about the Fenland traditions, and the history of the Ouse Washes Molly Dancers, do have a look at the OWMD website. Gordon 'Phil' Phillips, OWMD Squire, and Nicky Stockman, OWMD Muso-in-Chief, spend a lot of time working with Fenland children, introducing them to their own traditions and legends of the area, and teaching them the dances.

Unfortunately, anyone who managed to watch the Unthank Sisters' film A Very English Winter, shown on BBC4 in December, won't have seen the huge amount of footage taken of the children processing and dancing at last years' Plough Monday/Straw Bear event. Partly I suppose because of time contraints, but also because it seemed to us the BBC was nervous about showing so much of the children...political correctness gone mad??

We had a relatively small audience for our revels on Monday night, but the Landlord and bar staff were very appreciative and supportive, and it was a reasonably mild and DRY evening. My applique-adorned top hat was much commented on, and very favourable remarks made. I should be going into business selling hats for dancing and festival-going! I'm really pleased with how the first one turned out...I added more embroidery and was quite disappointed when I had to stop.



The only stitches I've used are straight stitch, fly-stitch and french knots. Oh you could say cross stitch but really it's just an extension of straight stitch.


 I have made the base for the second one, all in black this time, and I am embroidering the motifs BEFORE stitching them on, to save some of the contortionist antics required last time!




Today is Stitch and Bitch day, so more stitching to do, cake to consume and plans to make, much nattering to attend to. Such a nice, gentle day, I do enjoy them. I'm having a short rest before starting to prepare  the evening meal - grandson Chris invited himself round for dinner, and a pint afterwards with his Granddad. I hope your day has been as enjoyable.

PS A special word for readers in Australia Tasmania (especially you, Chris) I hope you and yours are safe and sound and have not been affected by those horrific bush fires.

20 comments:

  1. The hat is amazing! Havea wonderful time down under.x

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    1. Thanks, Heather, I think we'll have a brilliant time.Lx

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  2. Gorgeous flowers (both felt and garden)! So springlike! xxx

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    1. Hi Lizzy, just think what the garden will be looking like when we get back after NZ! Lx

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  3. That hat is splendid.... Are you doing Wittlesey this weekend or will you be NZ by then? Have a wonderful time whatever your doing.... bring some warmth and sunshine back with you, although it was beautiful here today as well :)
    SueXxx

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    1. Hi Sue, thank you. No, too close to The Big Day and LOTS to get done, all mum's shopping etcetc.Just when I think I've covered all eventualities someone reminds me of something else to be attended to! Lx

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  4. Well today is such a contrast to yesterday isn't it here in West Norfolk. Can hardly see the shop at the corner and as for the trees on the rise at Sandringham, nothing to be seen of them at all. And so darned cold as well. Yesterday the sun was lovely, today the frost is biting, and the breeze off the sea at Not-so-sunny-Hunny really went through you. I saw a headline on a newspaper - Three Weeks of Snow. Apparently there is some bitterly cold weather on its way, beginning this weekend, possibility of snow, and it could hang around for weeks, though we won't be hit by snow too much at all it seems.
    Not sure when you are leaving, but safe journey and enjoy the family.

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    1. Thanks MAggie. Yes, it was a lovely day, but now we've had 2 foggy days and as you say more and worse to come. Ah well, it IS winter. I hope it's all over by the time we get home!! Lx

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  5. Love your Hat very, very much. and off to New Zealand you lucky thing, or as my daughter would say, 'I'm Well Jel'.....oh the youth of today :-)
    have an amazing time, look forward to hearing all about it xx#
    Sophie

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    1. I know Sophie, I am totally out of touch now with all the current teen-jargon. I found myself saying 'totes amazing' the other days then I found out it came from that awful Essex show about personality-challenged young people. UGH!!!!

      Will certainly try and enjoy ourselves! Just get rid of the bad weather, please, before we get back home!! Lx

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  6. I totally bitter here in Norwich today - I've had a look at the weather report and it looks like Snow is on it's way! I am totally excited! Enjoy New Zealand - and the warmth!
    Claire x

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    1. Hi Claire, well, I have to say I think I've seen enough snow/ice/hail/fog/extreme cold to last me several life-times! o, just hold it off tip we're air-borne, and get it out the way before we get home! My son says they are having the best summer for a few years over there, so that makes me very happy! Not too hot, 26 degrees, will do me fine.

      Enjoy the snow! Catch up with you....probably from Down Under! Lxx

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  7. That hat really is perfect ... and very covetable ;)

    I seem to keep missing your posts Lynne, so hopefully I've just successfully subscribed.

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    1. Thanks Annie, I've packed my 2nd version, the black felt 'cover' for my topper, and my threads and felt so I can do a bit of stitching while we are away; hopefully you'll check back as I hope to do a few blog posts from New Zealand. We fly tomorrow. or I should say, today, as it is very late and I'm sat here typing! However our flight is a late evening one so plenty of time to catch up on my sleep...and we've already packed.
      Lxx

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  8. Oh, I popped in to wish you a great trip... looks like I just missed you but you may see this in New Zealand. Have a great time and I'm sure you won't miss our snow!!
    Jo x

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    1. Hi Jo! Yes, I am here on my own laptop at my son's home in Orewa. Just about to write my first blog post, trying to sort out a coherent report! So much has happened, lovely weather, the kids are fab...where do you start? Bearing in mind not everyone wants to read about other peoples' families. Ah well, here I go! Lx

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  9. Wow, those felt flowers on the black background look fantastic, I know what to do with my bits of felt stash now!

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    1. Hello Nina, yes, some bits which are too small to even cut a motif out of will look good just as dots or strips, sewn on with bright threads. Go for it!

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