Monday 21 March 2011

My Secret Mission.....

I can't quite remember when this germ of an idea crept into my life but I can't seem to let a day go by without me thinking about the mechanics of how I am going to accomplish it!

This year, my eldest will be entering into her late childhood years and beginning her young adult years. She will be turning 13! I can't believe how quickly those years have flown by and I really wanted to give her something special to mark the occasion. Something she could treasure for years to come and when ever she happened to look upon this something she would remember being young with all those dreams and aspirations that hadn't yet materialised and also hopefully she would think of me too. (I know - selfish!!)

I have kept a heap of old clothes that belong to both my children that hold special memories for all of us and as I was sorting through them one day I suddenly alighted on the idea of a memory quilt. Although I knew I was going to make something with it all(otherwise I would have given it all away to charity), when suddenly a very clear image of a crazy style quilt popped into my head and I immediately knew that this would be the perfect, perfect gift.

I began by researching some crazy quilts on the internet and got some fabulous ideas from some 'crazy' bloggers and so my idea began to take hold and grow. I decided that I wanted to insert some quotes and inspirational messages so I managed to find some old remnant linen which I could add to the clothes so that when I start stitching, the lettering will be neat and uniform. I made a decision NOT to buy anything for this quilt and make it using only what I have already got while everything has to have a significant meaning to my daughter too. So I trawled through drawers where we kept our 'bits and bobs', like old beads from broken bracelets never mended and pieces of ribbon, labels of clothes, even embroidered shoes that the dog chewed were all collected ~ ready to be a part of her quilt.

I am desperately trying to keep it a secret so that it is a surprise when she receives it but as I am lazy and don't pack everything away in my work room when I am finished ~ I am afraid that she may already have an inkling of what is going on. Well I don't know how I am going to do all the embroidery without her seeing something as she does to tend to sit up and watch a bit of telly with us every now and then. Even though I have only made a few blocks I can see the overall quilt taking shape and am desperately looking forward to starting the embroidery and the embellishing of the quilt. 









I am excited to see how the embroidery enhances the look of the quilt ~ but for now I have to get cracking on the last 20 blocks!!!

Until the next time.......


Tuesday 8 March 2011

Where does the time go?

Well I have been a busy girl; reading an absolutely fabulous book which believe it or not, doesn't belong on my reading list for 2011; crocheting and getting very excited at the prospect of introducing a new pattern in my camping blanket (it's the little things in life that get me excited, let me tell you!) ; designing, thinking, deliberating about a little project I call 'My Secret Mission'. I find I get so wrapped up with the decision making process with any new creative project that I sometimes even forget to feed myself! But I can report that as I am 99% certain about all the intricacies of my secret mission I feel much better about everything and am ready to re-join the world; eager to get it started.

I have a very long list of books that I set myself to read this year but could not refuse the opportunity to borrow a friend's book  ~ despite its mammoth size. I can gleefully report that I was not disappointed. The style of writing initially drove me potty but by the end I absolutely loved the way she weaved the story of  Thomas Cromwell with delicious descriptions of Tudor life - it made me feel like I was a spectator watching his life unfold over his shoulder. Absolutely brilliant book - can see why she won the Man Booker Prize.  


My camping blanket is growing but ever so slowly ~ perhaps that is due to the 300 chain stitches I started with ~ I wanted it big but I am beginning to wonder if it's too BIG. Can a blanket be too big??????
I love love the colours....... oooh I can't wait for summer!

Today is a beautiful spring day and it really does make me glad to be alive! The choir of birds; the milky sky; the barely warm sunshine; shooting and flowering bulbs; the emerald green grass, all make my heart sing 'Spring is here'. It has been a loooooong winter and finally the hope of summer has arrived. 

The view from our garden this morning.
I have run out of time, next time I will spill the beans on my Secret Mission.......