Moments of bliss

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:51 pm

My husband dropped me off in town to go to the bank while he took the car for its MOT, but then called me that it was going to take rather longer than expected, so I walked to the park, found myself a nice bench in the spring sun, and got out my handbag project.
Aaaaahhhhh -- bliss!

Well...

until it started hailing and I had to take refuge in the bandstand

Jilly · Post by **Jilly** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:39 pm

That sums up the weather at the moment

mags · Post by **mags** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:46 pm

Yes it has been lovely here today but DH got caught in a hail shower about 5 miles away - didn't see it here

SusanF · Post by **SusanF** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:57 pm

Yesterday we had bright sunshine with snow falling at the same time. Iwas really strange.

~threadbear~ · Post by **~threadbear~** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:14 pm

Horrible weather here, but hopefully you were still able to stitch in the bandstand Mabel?

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:38 am

Well you came prepared for the afternoon but the darn weather had to make an interruption.

Weather here has been very nice cool but with lots of sunshine.

lacemaker2004 · Post by **lacemaker2004** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:00 am

I'm with Rose....literally....I'm in San Diego and was looking forward to some nice warm weather in comparison to our east coast stuff....but I had to go buy a sweater...It's cool here! but the flowers are wonderful!!!!!!!!

~threadbear~ · Post by **~threadbear~** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:43 am

Our poor spring flowers have been killed off by the weather.

It is such a shame.

coffee_freak · Post by **coffee_freak** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:51 am

it's been raining here in Maryland too...i can't wait for a sunny spring day so i can stitch outside too

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:08 am

~threadbear~ wrote:Our poor spring flowers have been killed off by the weather. It is such a shame.

The tulips seems to have recovered all right but the daffs definitely didn't like being burdened with two inches of snow

And I was so hoping to show off th garden to my mum when she visits. Oh well, I'll have to show her some cross- stitched flowers instead

~threadbear~ · Post by **~threadbear~** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:50 pm

Haha, I remember one year, many moons ago now, when my Dad (not the world's most keenest of gardeners) decided to stick some plastic flowers in the garden!

He wanted a nice display of colour ... he was most upset when the weather bleached and washed out the colours!

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:30 pm

Got a bit of time off this afternoon (working tonight

) so I'm making a cup of tea and will then install myself at the dining room table (which holds a selection of my stitching bits and pieces plus lots of graph paper etc.) with a view of the (at present) sundrenched garden and the kingfisher kit as an encouragement to finish the butterfly and its fellow unfinished mini projects.

There are worse ways to while away an hour

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:00 pm

Oh gee whiz Mabel sounds like a terrible burden to have to bear....will you make it??????

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:35 pm

Yeah, Rose. Really. Listen, Mabel: we are your friends. We will help you shoulder any burden. Even sunlit gardens and supportive stitching.

(for the unaccustomed sunlight) and

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:01 pm

Thanks ladies, it's great to have your support in these times of tribulation

Talking of supportive stitching, I'm trying to introduce some of the ladies in church who do all sorts of crafts to the joys of cross stitch, whether or not with beads and ribbons and things. So I've organised some workshops at my house, one for embellished cross stitch and one for calligraphy and gilding (another hobby of mine).

Any suggestions for the cross stitch one? Has anyone else tried to get a (small) group of complete novices to complete something they can feel proud of in no more than an hour and a half?

I have used stitching paper for our church's annual Christmas Craft Fair, where children (and adults) from the village are invited to come and make Christmas cards and decorations using a variety of crafts. Someone later said she'd never seen such a quiet table at the craft afternoon -- all those children sitting there concentrating with their tongues peeping out, stitching holly leaves for a gift tag

carolyn61 · Post by **carolyn61** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:40 pm

I think that you've got a great idea. Cross stitching is a wonderful "art" that needs to be passed to the next generation. It's funny, about 10 years ago, when my sister taught me to stitch, it seemed that there were needlework shops everywhere and you could always get supplies at any of the larger stores. Now not only are the local needle shops dissappearing but some of thediscount stores no longer even carry the basics. Our Walmart no longer sells floss. We do have one local needleshop but I've only been there once and they have since moved to a new location. I plan on going out for a visit and thorough inspection soon.
The ladies at my church all love my cross stitch but not one thinks she could ever find the time to do it. The only other person I've met who cross stitches (and other needlework) was a lady I worked with. Strange isn't it? The stayat-home moms felt they had no time but the working mom did. Maybe it's just out west here that interest seems to have dissapated. Maybe it's just my circle of friends. I'm the only homebody that enjoys doing the stitching, crocheting, baking and other "domestic" things (as one friend called it). LOL. Anyway, I wish you all the best. As far as I am concerned, the world needs more stitchers of all ages.Okay, I'm climbing off my preaching podiumnow.
I would like you all to know that this forum has been a wonderful blessing to me. You've made me laugh and I've learned alot from you. It is nice to have somewhere to go with questions. I look forward everyday to sitting down and reading what you have to share. It's like getting letters from friends. Thanks everyone.

Carolyn

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:54 pm

Thanks for your encouragement, Carolyn; I hope I'll get enough people together (of either sex -- I'd be quite happy for some of the men to join in!) to make a viable group.

We've got some stay-at-home mums, whom I'm targeting with an afternoon session, and working mums and dads, for whom there'll be an evening session. I'm in the blessed position of working from home with my husband, so that I can rearrange my working day to some extent (although I still don't get quite enough stitching done

)

Glad to hear you're enjoying the forum so much; it's great fun to visit every few hours or so and just sneak a look at the latest posts, isn't it?