Thursday 29 July 2010

Embroidery & Skywatch Warning

I was extremely honoured and delighted to discover this beautiful lavender pouch amongst my post this week when I returned home from work. It was sent to me by the lovely Jill and my photo does not do this justice. It is absolutely beautiful. Jill, you have such great skill. I love it, thank you so much. It is currently fragrancing my living room.


I used to do loads of cross stitch and embroidery, but since my close vision has deteriorated (probably because of too much "close" work!) I don't find it as enjoyable. I also struggle to find the iron on transfers these days.

On a recent "clear out", my Mum came across this make up bag that I had made for her when I was young. I remember embroidering this onto lots of things I made, including a shopping bag for my Grandad who proudly shopped with it every day of his life declaring it to be the strongest shopping bag ever. And I invented the design myself! I had imagination then - and I seem to remember being inspired by the tune " Oh I'm going to Jamaica".

I'll have to invest in a bright light to sit under and get my silks back out.
Skywatch Warning - Just to give you advanced warning of the Perseid Meteor shower display for this year. If we have clear skies on the evening of the 12th of August, you may be lucky enough to see hundreds of shooting stars. The displays pick up speed after midnight, but you get a fair few as soon as it gets really dark. You can also spot a few stragglers a few nights before and after too. So remember to put the date in your diary, and get a "blanket on the ground" with someone special for a truly romantic and spectacular display (clouds permitting!). I hope you see plenty - remember, its one wish per shooting star!

25 comments:

Colette said...

Hello.

Thank you for the Meteor Shower reminder. I too used to do lots of embroidery.

I am planning to have a really big sort out and chuck away. maybe that'll free up more head space to do a bit more again.

Have a great day.

Beki said...

Love your embroidery!

Thanks for the heads up on the meteor shower, tis now jotted down in my diary!

B xxx

Scented Sweetpeas said...

Wow that cross stitch is gorgeous, what a lovely gift. I live your design too, especially the tree coming out of the sun.

Ooohh I will try and remember that date - thanks for the tip off.

BadPenny said...

Oh what a lovely makeup bag you made.
Thanks for that ....I'll try to stay awake !

The Girl said...

I couldn't believe that pouch when I saw it on Jill's blog, it's so beautiful.

Definitely invest in a good light and get yourself going again. You obviously had the talent when you were younger!

Thanks for the heads up about the meteor shower - think I'll just romantically watch them myself though!

periwinkle said...

I will definately be marking that date in my calendar - I can remember being on a boat sailing from corfu town back to kavos and seeing loads of shooting stars - they were awesome . You should definately get yourself a light and take up embroidery again . Gorgeous gift too

Kathy said...

I saw the cross stitch on Jill's blog too and thought it was lovely and now you have it ... what a lovely gift! I used to do lots of cross stitch as well. Isn't it funny how you tire of things and then wish you still did it when you see other people's work!
Love Kathy xxx

andamento said...

Both lovely though I like the fact you thought up your design yourself, I used to have an imagination too, wonder where it went.

Will try and rememeber to look out for the shooting stars, thanks for that.

Unknown said...

I'm so happy that you like it. I'm thinking of offering one as part of a giveaway when I hit my 100th post (which is very very soon).

Embroidery is hard on the eyes isn't it? It's much easier in day light, but it's a hobby that I tend to do in the evenings when Violet's gone to bed, though the light isn't much cop by then.

A garden just outside Venice said...

That Jill is so clever! xxx

Sue said...

The lavender pouch is beautiful. I used to do a lot of cross stitch but found that it got harder to find patterns that I wanted to sit down and sew.
Thanks for a reminder about the Perseid Meteor shower, should be able to remember the date as it's our anniversary.

The Curious Cat said...

Lovely entry...I love shooting stars and making wishes...and I love your bag! You're a great stitcher! :) xxx

Lisa said...

Will note that in my diary.
Your new lavender sachet is so pretty, what a thoughtful gift.
Haven't done any cross stitch for ages, plenty of patterns though.
Lisa x

menopausalmusing said...

That's a lovely gift to have been given. Love the embroidery you did in days gone by. Get that light and get stitching! I shall try and remember the shooting stars now that you have given the date. :O)

Lyn said...

Will pop the date in my diary. I have never been a neat person when it comes to sewing, What lovely memories of your grandad and his shopper!
Love
Lyn
xxx

harmony and rosie said...

Lovely gift you lucky thing. Your own embroidery is wonderful too, I clicked for a close-up and the work is beautiful, very impressive for a young 'un.

Thanks so much for your lovely Birthday wishes, and also for the advance warning on the fireworks! What's the chance of a clear night I wonder!

Kate x

Nearly there Claire said...

Wow you clever girls you and Jill both! So much patience too.

Oh I do love shooting stars, who doesn't eh? Thanks for letting us know!!! xxx

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Very nice work! I've embroidered and cross-stitched and candlewicked my eyesight into overdrive so many times my eyes have given up on the close stuff. A very bright light does help, but I struggle too much to make it fun. The denim bag is charming!

Blueberry Heart said...

hellooooo! After you 'introduced' me to the perseids last year I already have my night planned for this year - involves a vino (or 2) a chair, and a cmera...actually the same as last years! BTW, thanks for the offer of bridesmaid, if you've no aversion to lime green tulle, jobs all yours! My friend really thinks I'm putting her in a shock frock! Actually bit of an insult on me,she really must think I've no taste!! Ah well, got a reserve now hahaha!
BH x

Sue said...

'Oh I'm going to Jamaica'... do you mean 'Wo, I'm going to Barbados'...?? On Coconut Airways, obviously.

Joshy and belle said...

its so pretty, have you looked on etsy for iron on transfers i got some from there last year! fliss xx

periwinkle said...

in answer to your question , the lad from Barnsley was called Phil :-)

Julia said...

Lovely stitchy things there! Those strawberries look good enough to eat, and Im rather drawn to your little Jamaican people too!
Thanks for the nod about the meteor shower, always like to see one of those - magical!

Love Julia x x x

Caroline said...

Diane,

How many wishes did you make? Love the lavender sachet, I wish I still had the patience to do some cross stitching!
Hope you are having a great summer,

Caroline

Jennyff said...

What a great little crafter you were, that design is brilliant, no wonder your Mum kept it.