Three Stars Will Shine Tonight

Still working away at the challenge of completing 52 Projects

This one has been waiting an awful long time. My Mum died in 1991, and I had inherited her hot water bottle with its warm red cover. Over the years, I have replaced the hwb a couple of times – a leaky top and then a weak point in the rubber. But I kept the original cover, which gradually started to show signs of wear: The button came off ages ago, the buttonhole had a tear, and the side seams had started to undo. It was looking pretty sad really. I almost threw it out a few years ago…

But it was Mum’s and somehow comforting to cuddle on nights when I felt cold, or a bit under the weather. I mended all the damaged stitched and a couple of tiny holes. Then I printed out some trial phrases.

I chose the script style, and embroidered the message in pink thread. The photo isn’t clear – it is graduated in colour, going from white through to dark pink and back again. Then I added a moon and three stars.

Although I had the original button [covered in the same red fabric] I sewed on a vintage red one under the buttonhole, and two decorative ones as well.

I think Mum would have approved of the refurbishment. I put the three stars on because she used to love watching Dr Kildare – and this was the theme tune…