Dithering…

I thought I’d just pop by and say hello. The downside of choosing a very slow art form, is that blogging about the progress on a larger piece, risks being about as interesting as watching paint dry – in fact I sometimes wonder if paint drying wouldn’t be quite fascinating…

Anyway, I’m still at the Spring Flower, although at the current rate of progress I’m more likely to rename it the Last Bloom of Autumn.

I didn’t take it off the frame to photograph it today, so this is what is looks like at the beginning of May.

Last week I had a fit of inspiration and even went so fas as to sketch out a new piece. But now the feeling seems to have left, so I’m not sure if I’ll do anything with it.

If I’m honest, I think I could do with a bit of a yarn fest. I’d like to spend a couple of days fingering twinkly, jewel coloured threads and let the imagination take over.

This morning, I was skimming through the latest issue of Current Archaeology and spotted this…

It’s called the Escrick ring. Apparently experts now think it may date back to the 5th or 6th century. It’s made of gold, with a sapphire and red glass. Now that’s what I call bling – and they think it was for a man to wear! See, my jewel fetish creeps into everything. (I admit to a particular thing for sapphires – did you see the one Mrs Thatcher used to wear).

Of course when you’re in dithering mode, lots of other things grab your attention. I’ve been delighted to discover this blog from the National Trust Textile Conservationists.

I don’t think I have any of the skills needed for this type of work, but I’m green with envy at their access to such amazing pieces of needlework. The slow nature of stitching, inevitably means that  something of the spirit of the person who spent their time creating the piece is inextricably woven into the  fabric, and how incredibly wonderful it must be to be able to connect back with those people. I’m afraid if I was allowed to touch any of those pieces, I’d just have to sit holding it, with my eyes closed, attempting to commune with the person who made it.

Ahh well, better go and weave some more stitches into my own work before winter sets in…

Happy stitching.