The above is a photo of a little floral cushion which was embroidered with not only love but apparently with some blood, sweat and tears too. It was a gift from my talented sister on the occasion of that recent big birthday ending in an O!
One or two more photos showing some close up detail ~
I'm not quite sure what happened to my genetic make up as my mother, her mother before her and my sister all have or had creative magic in their finger tips. Somehow or other it completely bypassed me. I still have vivid memories of starting my secondary education and the dreaded domestic science lessons. Before us girls (boys not allowed in such classes in those days) could move on to cookery lessons, we had to sow an apron and a monogramed cap. We were allowed to take the cap home to hand stitch our names on the front and yes you have guessed correctly - it was my eight year old sister who sowed my name on, allowing me to progress on to cookery far more quickly than if I had been left to my own devices. Sowing and its other forms has remained one of life mystery's ever since but I can and do appreciate the work that went into this ~
The big day came and went with lightening speed. Wind, rain and hail put an end to any form of horticultural outing so I christened my senior railcard with a journey into Liverpool and a wonder round the still fairly new Museum of Liverpool. We took our time and only ambled round half of what is on display so a return journey is on the cards. If you ever find yourself in the city I can recommend a visit. Once back home it was a pleasure to feast my eyes on the new cushion which is far to pretty to sit against and to think fondly of my dear little sis. I'm not quite sure how I will rise to the occasion when she gets to that milestone age!
Fabulous detail there and a lovely gift! Belated Happy Birthday and it sounds like you had a great one :)
ReplyDeleteOh thanks for your comment and good wishes guys.
DeleteBirthdays ending in 0. Happy (recent) birthday
ReplyDeleteThey have a certain ring to them don't they Rob? Thanks for your birthday wishes.
Deletewhat a treasure indeed...
ReplyDeleteBetter than gold and precious stones as far as I'm concerned Sharon :) Thanks for your comment which is much appreciated.
DeleteWhat a stunning piece of embroidery, and such a precious gift too. My sister seems to have the patience and artistic flare for that type of detailed work in our family, I lack both the patience and the manual dexterity, but Anna I have to take issue with your alleged lack of artistic magic! I see plenty of evidence of yours in your plantings. A different - muddier - sphere, perhaps, but creative nonetheless. Belated Happy Birthday, enjoy the freedom of your railcard - will it take you as far as Anglesey? You would be welcome here any time.
ReplyDeleteThe same here Janet - I lack the patience and the dexterity to make such exquisite creations. Thanks for your kind compliment. The railcard will take me anywhere in the country so I may yet land up on your doorstep one sunny summer day. Would love to see you, your new garden and to taste some of your fabulous bread :)
DeleteA very happy belated birthday, I hope you had a wonderful day. What a beautiful gift from your sister, I always think that handmade presents mean so much more. As you say, every stitch of that beautiful cushion has been embroidered with love and that's something that no amount of money could buy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your birthday wishes Jo. Handmade gifts are certainly hard to beat!
DeleteWow! Anna, that's stunning. What a beautiful birthday present. I think everyone has a creative streak it's just finding the outlet. I think of gardening as a creative endeavour so I don't think you've missed out on the genes at all. :) Hope you had a lovely birthday despite the weather. x
ReplyDeleteI had a lovely day WW despite the weather trying to put a spanner in the works. Mind you I should know by now that my birthday is most unlikely to require me to take off my coat and scarf. Thanks for your kind words and birthday greetings.
DeleteBelated birthday wishes Anna. It is a gorgeous piece of embroidery and beautifully done; your clever sister! I am like you with awful memories of having to make an apron at school and spending a whole term sewing and then unpicking because the stitching was never deemed good enough .The very sight of a sewing needle gives me the horrors. Let's stick to gardening and let other people sew.
ReplyDeleteOh Chloris I'm so pleased that it wasn't just me who suffered that dreadful experience. I agree with your sentiments entirely :)
DeleteSuch a lot of work will have gone into that cushion, Anna, so your sister must be very fond of you (quite rightly so, of course!). All our family sew (well, not my brother), but I was very slap dash in the early days and was made to redo a zip about half a dozen times before it was deemed acceptable - but it taught me it was worth taking care for a good result. As Janet said, you are creative in other ways - and it makes life more interesting being filled with people who are different! Glad you enjoyed your day out - others have recommended Liverpool, which apart from an interview for a postgrad course and to get the ferry to the Isle of Man I have never been to, so that needs to be remedied!
ReplyDeleteI regret not having mastered the skill of sewing Cathy but as you suggest "vive le difference". Liverpool is a most unique city in many ways and you would find plenty to see and do. Hope that you make it up there one of these days :)
DeleteThat is such a gorgeous cushion! The detail is perfect! What a lovely present Anna. Glad you had a nice birthday, and hope it's a wonderful new decade for you too!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Cathy for your comment and good wishes :)
DeleteI think that cushion would make me smile every time I saw it--gorgeous!! (Btw, I assume the first part of the big 0 is a 3. ;-) )
ReplyDeleteThe cushion is indeed making me smile Ms.S and of course that first number behind the 0 is 3! :)
DeleteA very happy belated birthday; but then a big birthday like this one should be celebrated for severaal days if not weeks! I celebrated my big 0 birthday last September; the big celebration certainlly allowed me to enjoy something I had been dreading
ReplyDeleteYou have hit the nail on the head Christina - the celebrations should be spread out over a period of time. You spend so long getting there so it's just not fair for it to be all over in one single day! Glad that you enjoyed the celebrations that marked your birthday milestone and thanks for your good wishes.
DeleteYou must mean a lot to your sister, Anna, if she makes something as beautiful as that for you. I admire the skill but it's not for me...I prefer cooking I guess :)
ReplyDeleteI felt most touched Annette especially when my sister told me it had taken her nine months to make and was the most difficult piece of craft work that she had ever tackled. Yes giving me cooking too any day!
DeleteA belated Happy Birthday to you, Anna! What a beautiful present from your sister! I used to do a little embroidery--though not that well--and I'm so impressed not only by your sister's skill, but the time it took to complete this. I still have an embroidery sampler for my oldest daughter that I started when she was born and still haven't finished---she's 32 now:)
ReplyDeleteOh Rose it's fortunate that my sister was not working on the same timescale :) I'm sure that your work in progress will get completed one day - it will be a treasured family heirloom for her to pass down to the next generation. Thanks for your thoughtful birthday wishes.
Deletemy Swiss husband would call that a round birthday. Happy 0th birthday to Anna of the Hand!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely what a beatiful present and something you will treasure for ever. Hope you had a great birthday
ReplyDelete