Planning for the Winter

Our clocks in the UK go back this weekend so the evenings will get darker a whole hour earlier. Spring forward, Fall back is the way I remember it. Recently we had Harvest Festival at Church with the lovely hymn ‘Come ye thankful people come, Raise the song of harvest home, All is safely gathered in Ere the winter storms begin.  Jews also have a similar festival Succoth also known as the Festival of Ingathering.’

 

Similarly I am planning on needlepoint projects for the long evenings and cold days when stitching rather than going out seems far more attractive.  My students are also planning, at a recent open day here many chose a new project for their winter stitching.

Besides a design interesting colour schemes can be recorded so here is a bunch of dried flowers with a bunch of threads that would echo the shades well.

 So, I have already got a piece ‘Aleppo’ on the go;  I think I have already mentioned it inspired by an ornate ceiling in the Citadel in the city of Aleppo in Syria but in addition I always try to have a ‘piece to go’  something that can be popped in a bag to work on at odd moments.  Spec cases are always good and make excellent presents.  Kindle covers, Christmas tree ornaments likewise. We also have a clutch bag that can take panels to match different outfits – again a small canvas

Some years ago, more years than I want to remember I taught panels for this bag/purse in Scotsdale for ANG.  If anyone has a bag of that vintage do let me know as additional panels are available.  The current purse is also available with a whole wardrobe of panel designs.

This is just one of the panels with an amusing chain.  Although the Duchess of Cambridge carries her signature clutch bags in her hand I do find a chain to pop over my shoulder more practical.  I have amassed a collections of chains threaded through with velvet ribbon as well as this converted necklace.

Besides stitching I also love going to exhibitions, particularly in the Victoria & Albert Museum here in London.  At present there is a sensational ‘Textiles of India’ show; I have been once but plan to go back soon as I allowed far too little time to thoroughly enjoy it.  It will shut on 10 January 2016

 Another exhibition I definitely plan to go to next summer is an exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace of paintings by Maria Sibylla Merian  (1647 -1717)  From the advance publicity it would appear to be of her Butterflies;  however I am lucky enough to have her ‘New Book of Flowers’ and if the illustrations are anywhere as good as those in that book it will be an embroiderer’s dream.