Tuesday 2 June 2020

Slow Stitching and a great read by the river ... The joys of Thimble.








A little progress each day adds up to big results...





What glorious weather we have been having, I have good sized apples on my two miniature apple trees that actually love it here in the garden.  A Mr Mudds has made his self known to me and is not scared at all.  I feed him and he will sometimes sit on the fence and sing the sweetest of bird songs for  me.  The foxgloves I planted and the herb garden is coming along beautifully and of course the Threads of Time studio is starting to take shape.  I will be out there again today.

I have treated myself to a book called The Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt, It has 99 blocks that honour them and inspiring letters from farm women of the great depression to go with each block.  Also a CD to accompany this marvelous read, I am transfixed.  It is lovely to take it down by the river here with a sandwich and read in the shade for an hour at lunchtime on occasions. The book is by Laurie Aaron Hird and I can not recommend it enough.  So much so that I have pre ordered one more written by this lady with letters from 1910 Pioneer women and quilt blocks too.

The joys of unpacking vintage faded fabrics to create with and the washing and pressing of them too. 
Deciding where to put things, hoping I have enough  space to make the studio practical and beautiful at the same time. Putting things away, changing my mind and moving it about … the faffing stage amuses me but it is oh so important in my mind.  There are happy moments and very sad ones with unpacking right now and it is par for the course I believe.  I remember where and when I bought something and the deep sadness of the memories can send me reeling.

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment,
until it becomes a memory.

Dr Seus.




The plans for the studio and sorting out workshops excites me and I have had lots of interest which is fabulous, very much local people here have been encouraging and helpful. When the lockdown is over and we can gather again I will be publishing workshop times and courses.  The will be day courses and will include everything you need to make and take home something gorgeous.  In addition drinks, homemade cake and a good lunch is provided as well.  To meet up with like minded
people, do something we love and enjoy, laugh, smile and chatter seems to me a perfect day indeed.

Yesterday I went on a beautiful walk by the river.  I covered a few miles and sat on a platform by the river and dangled my feet in.  I had brought with me a little Italian platter and sat there watching the river flow and the sunlight through the trees.  Dragonflies were dancing and skimming along the surface and the blue in their wings shone so beautifully.  Little fish swam by and it was really beautiful. A canoeist came by and raised a hand to say hello and the warmth of the sun came through the shading of the trees it was like heaven on earth...


Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but learning to dance in the rain.


Inspiration jumps out at me everywhere right now, on my walks with so much beauty and nature, you can not help but be inspired.  A little each day can really add up as I have said and today I am going to give it a real push and then treat myself to some time by the river and then go back and have supper in the garden.  I am not alone here I have a friend who lives with me, she asked before lock down if I wanted a lodger and of course what a pleasure and gift she has been.  We do our own things but at least twice a week we meet back at  Thimble and have dinner and an evening together, and tonight is one of those evenings.  The laughter that peels out is good for the soul I can tell you.
.  
Since the break up of my marriage I have met some new friends at a group and we all stay in touch and I am grateful of their friendship and now that we can meet up with 6 more people outside of the household I am able to see my sister and my friends which is wonderful.

I can not wait for the vintage fairs again and will love being able to truffle once more and meet up with dear friends as well.

I have my basket of slow stitching and my book on a chair in the lounge for later, for now I am going into the Studio and I am going to get going again on sorting another corner of it out.  I will be able to sit at the large table soon and make up the gift bags for the courses.  All these things help when workshops can begin and these things are ready to fill with goodies.

Well I am going to sign off for today and get to work on creating my studio and achieving a little more today.  The sun is out and the weather is going to change this week to cooler with a little rain I hear, great for the garden and me settling to putting away but reading in the heat under a tree by the river ... not so much!

I hope you all have a wonderful day and I will be back here soon with more tales from Thimble, until then as always ....

Happy Stitching! XX



















4 comments:

  1. Thank you Sarah...I can picture your life and so enjoy your blog when you are able. I am helping an older lady with Parkinson disease Monday through Friday but gardening, sewing and organizing too. Have a fantastic day. 💕💕🌷

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    1. Thank you, its lovely to hear from you. I am glad you are enjoying your read.
      Helping is what the world needs more of. Hope the weather kid good and you are staying safe.

      Sarah x

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  2. Your trips by the river sound idyllic Sarah....I am impressed by how much your taking the time to do during this time. I do look forward to when things are more 'normal' (in whatever form that takes) and we get to meet again. I smile often when I remember how we both squeeled when we saw each other at Midhurst - better days ahead though...Mo xxxx

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    1. Morning Mo … Oh yes me too the squeals of delight.
      I hope not too distant future we can meet at a fair, see what treasures we have both truffled and have a coffee and catch up again.
      Keeps me going!
      Hugs

      Sarah xxxx

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