Self-discipline…

When you’re really busy and need to focus all your energies into one project, the thing you don’t want is a major distraction…

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Oops.

When Jenny mentioned The Wake to me last week, I knew it was going to be right up my street. I should really have exerted some self-discipline and resisted it. But there you are, look what turned up in the post this morning.

I now have to be extremely strict with myself. Stitch – read – stitch, stitch, read…

Happy Anniversary Battle Of Hastings

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings – you know the one where Harold got the arrow in his eye – or maybe he didn’t. Anyway, he didn’t win, so we got to be ruled by the Normans instead.

I can’t say I’m all that hot on early Norman history, although I do love their castles, but you’ve got to have a tiny bit of respect for a victorious class who celebrate their conquest with an embroidery.

I’ve never seen the real thing, but the Bayeux Tapestry must be up there in the Top 10 of all time needlework greats.

I’d love to know how the commissioning happened. Just imagine William the Conqueror’s half-brother, Bishop Odo thinking, ‘I really should commemorate William’s amazing victory over the Saxons. I wonder what my fierce, warrior brother would like most? Umm, I know, I’ll get him an embroidery’.

Strange to say, but when I’m trying to think of ideas for my next piece of needlework, I don’t very often consider recent battles as suitable subjects. But there you are, maybe I’m missing a trick.