After years of being blogfriends, and over 2½years of being 'collaborative stitchers', Kirsten and I finally got to meet in person. It was so lovely. Our OHs got on well too, and had much in common - and we sat having lunch in the courtyard at Oxburgh Hall and chatting and chatting...
We also swapped our September stitching, and a few other heavier gifts [which would otherwise have been rather expensive to post]
A while back, I picked up a piece of fabric in a CS printed with labels. When I got home, I found that although some were just outlines, many had a Downton Abbey theme. Furthermore, it proved to be a double sheet, I had two of everything. So I sent half to Kirsten as one of the flat gifts. She used it on her September stitching, in a very clever way.
"It's too big to be a collar stiffener, and too thin to be a covid test strip" I declared, then realised there was a ridge down the centre and a point at the end. It's a pen!
A very clever flat ballpoint pen - the tube of ink is concealed in a cardboard packet bearing a picture of a lovely fountain pen. K explained she thought the notebook cover would be more useful if a pen could be stored neatly in a pocket on the front. Genius!
Although there is not much contrast visible stitching, I can assure you there are hundreds of tiny buttonhole stitched keeping all those edges in place!
The inspiration for my piece came on the beach on Bank Holiday Monday. Our great family outing to the beach [followed by Bob's catastrophic tumble]
As the littl'uns were doing other things, I grabbed a bucket and started collecting stones, to make a circular pattern. The sort of thing that Kezzie frequently does at the beach.
Unfortunately the grandchildren then decided they were going to build sandcastles and needed mu stones for their edifices. I quickly took a picture before the artwork was too disturbed.
The stones were greys, black, white, cream - and some had a blueish tinge whilst others were golden brown. Lovely random shapes
How lovely this is, and the stitchery is beautiful and so clever.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Having a pen so neatly concealed in the notebook cover is ingenious
ReplyDeleteIt's always a treat to meet lovely people!
ReplyDeleteEspecially when you have become friends through blogging, then through emails and snail-mail...then you finally meet "in the flesh".❤️
DeleteIt was a lovely day... warm-hearted in spite of the patchy sunshine. Thank you both very much.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU. A most wonderful day together π
DeleteHow lovely to meet a blog friend in person and exchange gifts. I love the pen in a pocket and your recreation in stitches of the beach stones. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was π great
DeleteHow lovely to finally meet Kirsten and exchange gifts of embroidery etc. Y out are both very talented. X
ReplyDeleteGood to look at our stitching together We've both learned new skills through this partnership
DeleteWhat a delight - meeting face to face and both your lovely needlework. Truly splendid and us followers get to share too. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we can share it with blogfriends. Maybe others of you out there will be inspired to do something similar
DeleteHow wonderful you got to meet up! And the gifts are lovely.
ReplyDeleteπ❤️
DeleteHow fabulous to meet your blog and stitchery friend and your OH's both got on. My Stepmum lives near Diss which is the only place I've visited in Norfolk, we always say we must explore more. Xx
ReplyDeleteOh do explore our fantastic county next time you visit [we could meet up for coffee perhaps?]
DeleteThat would be lovely Angela, we do come down once a year at least, I'll let you know. Xx
DeleteExcellent ☕ππ❤️
DeleteYOU GOT TO MEET!!!! I'M SO happy you did!!!! Do we get to see a picture of you together???
ReplyDeleteThe stitching is beautiful!!! I love that you thought of my beach pictures!!!
I'm itching to do another one!!! Kxx
Too busy talking and eating to take any pictures!! Yes, thank you Kezzie, for the inspiration to make the stone circle - which led on to the September stitching
DeleteTo think you were only a few.miles away from me last year at your Scottish wedding!
ReplyDeleteThat family now live and work in Australia!!
DeleteHow lovely for the two of you to finally meet up in person. You must have had so much to talk about. Both of you did some wonderful stitching.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to know that you finally got to meet Kirsten with your respective husbands enjoying the occasion as well. I like your pebble embroidery, which captures the uniqueness of each one. Something about pebbles on the beach, I've always loved to pick them up and also make temporary artwork.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely day. And I agree, pebbles are such fun to hold and arrange in temporary artwork
DeleteSorry to be so late to comment but I just had to say I am so glad you have now met up for real. I know how good that feels. Nicky K
ReplyDeleteIt was so lovely meeting YOU too Nicky!!
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