Wednesday 22 November 2017

Threads of time











Buttons and Patches and cold 
winds blowing my days pass quickly
when I am sewing !





Threads of time is a favourite of mine, what I mean to say is I love working with old threads and fabrics.  I often sit and look at fabrics, threads, quilts or pieces of them and beautiful old timeworn fabrics and I wonder about them.  What stories they could tell me if they could speak.  Who
once owned this sat in their project basket down by a chair?

Fabrics in quilts that are from pieces of others lives and delicate eiderdown fabrics that once sat on beds to keep you warm and to look cosy and inviting.  Threads that were chosen and bought but some how never used or indeed some that have been used a little but not all of it and finally decades and decades later I find myself the custodian of such wonderful stitchery history.

I love the idea that I makes things with them and they become loved once more and no longer sit in a drawer or an old box in a loft collecting dust.  Now the pieces of fabric come to life once more.  You can see them positively yawn and stretch and smile as they are washed, pressed and made into a piece of stitchery art.

As you know I keep every tiny bit of fabric until it really can not be used and of course I put it out in the trees for nesting time, as I have said before I like to think there are some rather beautiful and upmarket nests around here because the birds do take it and I have watched them do just that.  Their cosy nests with paisley walls ... perfect.

It is very windy outside today and what I call a proper Winter day, the weather has been incredible for this month and we have had some very warm days that you only get, if you are lucky, in the Summer.  Last week when we took Mum out to shopping the outside temperature was 22 degrees in the sun I just could not believe it.  I was in flip flops and no coat, unlike yesterday when I was wrapped up like a snowman.   I am still hoping for snow and there have been a few reports that we may have some.  Fingers crossed for the child within me.

Well as you all know I am off tomorrow very early to The Winter Brocante in Midhurst, West Sussex.  So there will be no chance of a blog tomorrow I am afraid.  I am also at The Vintage Bazaar in Devizes on Saturday as well so I will have lots to write about next week for you including and treasure that I bring back with me from both fairs and I will photograph for you to peek at.

I am going to have a little look through my fabric stashes for one, to see if I actually need anything in particular ( I can hear those of you who stitch with fabrics laughing from here, NEED? when it comes to fabric you NEED it all !) well yes but I do not want to double or treble up too much.  Also whilst there I can finish getting some inspiration packs ready as well.  It is a great excuse to sit on my little stool and dive head first into Narnia!..

I am getting everything ready today so that it is an easy start in the morning.  Also today is my lovely friends Birthday, Jo from Australia and we are going to be celebrating today in style.  First stop I am taking her to the hairdressers for a re style as part of her gift from us.  She would like a style she has had before.  There is Birthday cake later and some fizz along with a Italian meal that I have already prepared.  I made my Nonna's Cannelloni and it is waiting in the fridge ready.  We are starting with an Italian platter. The fire will be lit and gift opening will be done.

It is going to be a lovely day and a great weekend.  I feel like I have not been to a fair in such a long time and tomorrow to my joy there are some great friends going as well and it will be time to catch up over a warm drink and possibly a piece of cake.

In addition I will be going to the vintage Brocante at Kingston Mauward on Sunday 3 December which is just a little way from Dorchester in Dorset.  That will be my last one this year and should keep me sane until they start again in Feb/March next year.  I will have plenty of supplies and lots of stitching to do by the fire.  When all the decorations come down it is sad isn't it.  The house looks so bare afterwards but still there are always fairy lights in our house and candles.  This is the time I put out beautiful flowers and make sure the candles are scented of something wonderful like cinnamon or some such.

My sewing machine needs a little attention and my husband gives it a good clean for me, he gets into its inner workings and gets rid of fabric dust and then re threads for me ... This time of year I like to make a Christmas Stocking or two and they have to be strong for little gift stuffing in all the nooks
and crannies.

On Sunday we will be at home and I think a Christmas film is in order, It is getting to look a lot like Christmas here with little bits being done daily.  When  I cleaned my huge dresser in our kitchen and put it all back and changed bits around, put bits away and put some of the Christmas bits out I had help as you can see.

 The little rascals were reading a plate that went up that said ' It was Christmas Eve and all through the house' not a creature was stirring not even a mouse!! .. The tiny squeaks of excitement ...


Slowly but surely Christmas is creeping in here and the pre Christmas cleaning for the main decorations to go up is being done daily.  Yesterday I got 4 hours in so that pleased me some what.

As Christmas is approaching I am just stitching for personal bits and not working on anything for publication right now.  Plenty of time in January to get going on it with the cold dark days and the warmth of the fire and the Hygge atmosphere that is so prevalent in our home for the next few months until Spring.

Well that is it for today and until Monday, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and if you are attending either of the two fairs and you see me, be sure to say hello.

Have a great Weekend and as always Happy Stitching! XX











8 comments:

  1. Have a great time at the fairs, and if you feel you NEED the fabric then I would purchase it......... she says quietly.

    Yes my husband gets into the nooks and crannies of my sewing machine too, he does a far better than I do!

    Julie xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Julie!
    Oh need and would like? Hmmm!
    I always seem to need! She says quietly back :))
    Thank you I am looking forward to going.

    Nice you are back, hope you had a great time.

    Sarah xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We did thank you. I blogged about it yesterday
      Julie xxx

      Delete
    2. Wonderful will go across and read it Julie xxx

      Delete
  3. Oh those little mice, they do make me smile. Have you given them name's yet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Dawn

      The names are in the thought process right now, the naughty little scamps!

      Sarah xxx

      Delete
  4. Sarah,
    You are so blessed to go to so many fairs...love your work always. If I don't get the opportunity I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with many blessings!
    Hugs,
    Diane@babiesbridesandlavender xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane
      Thank you so much, yes there are some beautiful fairs around the English countryside lately, and yes I am very lucky.

      I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR. Take care Diane and talk soon.

      Sarah xx

      Delete