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Saturday 12 February 2011

Emerging a little bit stronger, just a little

I am feeling better every day at the moment. I stitch here and there whilst the children sleep and the house is quiet as a mouse, save for the constant hum of the washing machine - which I must add, is indeed the hardest working member of our household by a long way, this family of 6 has a seemingly never ending pile of washing, is it just us? or is your pile always spilling out all over the place too?

Anyhow, I have been too-ing and fro-ing across London on meetings for the last couple of weeks, and managed to find time between business lunches to pop into one of my most favourite shopping haunts....

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Liberty of London, oh yes.
I picked up a few wee treasures for friends, and couldn't resist a little treat for myself. This trim is by globe enterprise, and comes in an array of colours. I was after green, but alas none was to be found that day, so I plumped for silver, and I am so glad I did.

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I snipped the leaves off and attached them individually to my woven cloth. I have been working on this wee corner of the cloth for a few evenings now. The curly wurly branches are now festooned with sparkling leaves and I have stitched them some more to add more texture and general tree bark nobbliness. I really like how this is coming along. Can you see where I used the variagated thread that Jacky sent me?

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The chrysalis will give you a little clue as to where the "story" in my cloth is heading, although I am indeed working backwards, there is a story none the less.
Indigenous people recognise the chrysalis as the soul trapped inside in the body, I think we can all relate to that sometimes, can't we?
The humble caterpillar, chowing down on juicy leaves, before wrapping himself in his wee cocoon and emerging as a colourful butterfly, it seems right, for my cloth to share this story of transformation. It does, in some small way, represent my journey through pregnancy and PND and the light at the end of the tunnel, emerging better, stronger, perhaps even a little brighter....

I also spoiled myself and bought more gutermann threads, I love love love these metallics, oh bestill my heart.

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What have you been making?

6 comments:

  1. Oooooh, your cloth is coming along so nicely! I love the leafy trim that you purchased.....It is so luxurious! And, metallic thread is the bomb for sure (easier to hand sew with than to machine sew with, btw). I can't wait to visit someday and go to Liberty....I even just love the name. Keep up the good work and keep posting.
    xo,
    Sena

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  2. Aaahhh Liberty, how I would love to visit that shop! And the little treasures you bought...those little leaves are perfect for you cloth (which I can wait to see more of). Lovely to see you are stitching with that beautiful variegated thread too, doesnt it work well with KF fabrics?
    The metallic threads are glorious colours, will you use them on your machine or for hand stitching? I heard a tip yesterday that when you use metallic threads on your sewing machine you should always use a special needle for metallic threads to prevent all the breakages (I never knew there was such a thing).
    Glad you are feeling brighter.

    Jacky xox

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  3. Oh my gosh, those leaves are AMAZING. What a gorgeous piece your putting together -- I love the little nibble-hole in the leaf. Such detail.

    I just spent a very happy hour buying supplies to make a pair of earrings. I've looked all over for the color combination I want (black, aquamarine, and the tiniest touch of hot pink) with no luck. Hopefully the vision in my head will translate into beads and wire. :-)

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  4. this is wonderful! such a riot of color and sparkle in a quiet house... two sides. one coin. the leaves are a perfect addition to your lovely, curly tree!

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  5. yes, I have often mentioned how my neighbours MUST conme in the night and add their washing to my pile, that's the only reason I can think of as to why it never gets smaller!!

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  6. just love those little leaves and your stitching is magnificent as i've said before. a beautiful piece. would love to be able to shop in London some day. and thanks for visiting my blog.

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