3rd Day in.........

yesterday it was the last day of the official hols - so I managed to get a little more done of the house, I can at last see the end. Just a little more outlining of windows and then some red flowers in amongst the greenery and i can start to put it together. I would like to get it done by this Saturday as I eventually hope to make it into a decoration for my Xmas tree. Thought it was about time I started to display my creations in more adventurous methods.

Today I also had to try to get back into the habit of working - I had managed quite well, to not return to the laptop to be pulled back into looking at some work or the other. So I have spent most of today in front of the laptop trying to organise some appointments; try to get my head back into assessor mode..... Look and make 'to do lists' for making sure I hit my targets (try to set realistic targets is always a challenge when working with others.....). 

It was so hard to focus, so I thought I might think of what I intend to do next. 

I was drawn to try and get some of my Cabinet of Curiosity practise pieces completed. Tricia from Thistle Threads is trying to enthuse us students to complete our caskets and she has put up on her blog a mind map to enable us to decide/ plan what we are going to do and to also get started. 

So I looked at the blogs and came to the realisation, that realistically I would like to complete a short casket (its the one within my financial reach), so the 'sew-a-long' starts in the mid summer, so it gives me a chance to complete some of the learning projects first. I will keep you abreast as it goes along. 

Embroiderer's Story is the link and will show you some of the fantastic things that I just can not resist. 

I will also be going back to the Victoria & Albert Museum to look at the Opus Anglicanum exhibition.... If you like embroidery - this stuff is amazing. 

Made in the 13C. by skilled crafts people, it is mainly of a religious theme (paid for by royalty and high ranking church officials that could afford the silks and gold/ silver and precious gems). There are records that show the workshops were predominantly within the area of St Paul's London and they have the names of the men and women that made some of these beautiful embroideries, with skills lost to us for a long time. If you get a chance it is so worth while going...