small moments in an unsettled world

 

I am very grateful (and extremely lucky) that I work in an environment (pun fully intended) which is healing. There are instants which make me gently hold my breath as I watch or see or notice a small precious moment. This week was no different but I thought that I would share just a few of these gems with you. Like going back to pick up my chilly mug (Jayne) and discover I had plonked it down just moments before in a nest of Erigeron Karvensis (Mexican fleabane) daisies and seeing the combination made my heart sing.

Spotting a very dark ladybird pupae on a richly purple dahlia leaf in the cutting garden, hopefully it will emerge before the frosts so that it will be able to overwinter as an adult. If not, we will carefully put the cut off foliage in one of the sheds so the pupae (there were dozens) can mature in safety.

Sharing my lemon shortbread biscuit with a Robin whilst working in one of the private gardens I maintain.

Ravelling 400gm balls of wool blend into 100gm yarn cakes before starting my next project - my sense of smell is rather random at the moment but I could catch a delicious scent of lanolin when I buried my nose deep into the huge and squishy balls of wool 

This idiot. 

Who drives me both crazy and fills my heart with equal measure - she has not been coming to work regularly recently as she 'looks after' who ever happens to be at home at the moment, so on the odd days that she puts on her 'work clothes', the dog harness, she is beyond excited. Her day is filled with rounding up wheelbarrows, collecting up sticks, herding volunteers and supervising our work - by the time we get home she is ready for her food and a well deserved nap!

And the princess. Pan. Still aloof and occasionally cranky but then who isn't? She has definitely mellowed and decided humans are not that dreadful. She has her favourites (makes that very obvious!) however, she is definitely the hairy heart of our home.

It is little moments like these which keep me grounded. I need to get myself ready for work, another private garden, a moorland wild meadow where Moss can come and play whilst I am there. She will be delighted......!

Thank you every one for your lovely and encouraging comments regarding my attempt at Kaketsugi mending - it is on hold at the moment as I am waiting for a packet of needle threaders to land in the post then I can get on with the final few threads - hardly any left to weave in. Then I will tidy away the remaining threads and hand it back to its owner😊

Enjoy the rest of your week, hope you too find small moments that fill your heart xxxx

Weaving on a tiny scale

 With rain falling outside and this morning's work completed just in time (despite bumping into an acquaintance I'd not seen to talk to in nearly a decade making me run 45 minutes late) I am now sitting at the table with the radio quietly singing to the kitchen and a mug of tea which - if I am honest - I am not enjoying as much as I would like. Covid has left me with a distaste for dairy......

I thought I would use this quiet time to get started on another mending request. However - this one is not all about the show and tell but the invisibility of the patch. A form of Kaketsugi (because my version will never be as amazing as the Japanese artform) which entails finding a piece of fabric which matches, then gently unravelling enough thread on all four sides to weave in to make the original pattern.... easy right? Nope. It is a wonderful form of meditation and frustration in equal measure. I will get it done, I am determined to do so but I am on hold at the moment as I need a new needle threader - I just can not find mine. 

Fortunately these trousers have a pocket on the back which had been stitched shut which meant I could 'harvest' a decent sized patch. The hole was tatty and shredded so I neatened the edges and cut off the surplus threads.

Then began the enjoyably mindful task of gently' un-weaving' a row at a time until there was enough fabric to cover the hole but sufficient thread to weave back into the main body of the trousers.

Lining up the weave turned out to be a little problematic when I discovered that within the plaid patterning there were further smaller weave stitches which are different in each block, I knew the patch could only go one way otherwise it would not match - eek.

All the photos I have taken through my magnifying crafting light - something I sigh a sigh of relief each time I use it as it make dealing with the teeny tiny so so very much easier!

My biggest hiccup was the size of my needle. I had the perfect super slender bead needle which slipped through the weave with ease, the problem was threading it - even with a needle threader it was nigh on impossible. The next size up was also too difficult to thread so I finally settled on a slightly thicker one again and finally managed not only to thread up but to weave through.

I have just woven the cream and mustard threads (where my snippers are pointing) and I am pleased with the effect. Time to slurp a mug of tea with the barest of drops of milk and get on with it!

All I can say is .... watch this space (I won't say hold your breath - I may be quite some time weaving in those threads) this is super slow sewing at it's best!

In at the deep end

 Go on, I said, let me fix it for you ... I really would love to. You'll be doing me a favour - I need my hands to be busy and I love doing that sort of thing....

It took a couple of weeks of gentle (ok persistent but gentle) persuasion to be able to prise this jersey (well you lot would call it a cardi but a jersey is a jumper is a cardi to me!) and bring it home. It is a well loved lamb's wool super soft favourite of a dear friend of mine and I'd seen that she'd already made a couple of repairs and that another hole had begun to appear.

I brought it home and started to un-pick the stitches so that I could see what I was working with and soon found that there were many mini repairs all over the body of the jersey. It was like doing textile forensics with the differing coloured thread revealing many layers of repairs to this beloved item of clothing.

Every time I turned the garment over, I found another mend or another hole. So, I decided to start with the smallest wounds and work my way up the the major one on the left under arm.

I kept going, building up my courage and practising different techniques - good old fashioned darning, Swiss darning, boro-esque stitching, patchwork, applique, freeform, pseudo-Dorset buttons and 'wing-it'.

Each evening, after we'd eaten, I'd switch on my anglepoise lamp and stitch another hole closed, avoiding looking at the large one on the arm until apart from a worn thin area that I was going to weave over, I had no choice but to tackle the arm. In the end I took the scissors to it and just cut away all the threads and wool then picked up each tiny stitch and sewed them to prevent any more unravelling.

It was then a matter of finding a soft but strong fabric to patch from the inside and applique stars and tiny stitches to strengthen the knitting. Strangely enough, once I'd got over my reluctance to repair this particular gaping hole - it turned out to be my favourite mend.

This afternoon, after three weeks, I completed the final mend - the woven section on the left front, took the photographs and folded up the jersey. Both relieved and bereft it was now completed. It can return home tomorrow. I shall miss it's company!

This was an act of rebellion against the tide of the throw-away-society as well as an act of kindness to a friend who does so much - thank you x

Home

 I knew that this weekend was going to be an at home one, Youngest was home with a list of online applications to be submitted, dissertation to work on, gobbets to complete and a girlfriend away. The applications are for the next step after uni and the amount of work he had to do before he could even start was astounding. The closing date is today and he has completed this part, there is another set next week. So, I kept him fed and watered at regular intervals as Himself and I did a few chores around the house.

We worked in our garden, it took some effort I have to admit - I do gardening all week so my poor garden gets neglected somewhat. The chilly breeze did not help to be honest however by lunch time we'd weeded and tidied a couple of beds, cleared the glasshouse ready for salad, tomatoes and peppers and weeded and swept the path. Still plenty to do however a good start!

It was a bit chilly after lunch so I settled down with a mug of tea and started mending my coat. It is one that was gifted to me some years ago by my sister-in-law. She'd bought it in a charity shop soon after they'd come back from Africa and wore it a few times but never really bonded with it. So she offered to me and of course I gladly accepted! It felt stiff as a board the first time I wore it, so I chucked it in the washing machine on the wool cycle and hoped for the best! It came out so soft and snuggly and I loved it more! With years of wearing by me and probably as many again before I owned it, the coat - an Eres long double breasted tweed(ish) one, began to show signs of wear. The pocket fabric had perished in one and torn in the other and the cuffs and button hole edges had worn thin.

One pocket has had a soft (but strong) patch inserted over the wear to strengthen and repair and the other has had teeny tiny but visible 'Franken-stitching' in red thread. The cuffs were over sown with slate grey Ronaldsay Aran wool - a sympathetic colour rather than a camouflage mend.

I found the button holes the hardest to mend - they'll do, but I am not that happy with them. At least when I button up the coat it won't flap open again immediately, so that is a win 😁

My final bit of visible mending was to repair and strengthen holes in my favourite mittens. Part of a gift swap some years ago, I received these very pretty hand knit mittens and I used them regularly. Recently (I think I have had them about ten years) they, not surprisingly, have signs of their age and regular use. They had been relegated as work mitts, despite how delicate they look, they are surprisingly robust. So, a few bits of brightly coloured embroidery floss later - my mitts are back in business!

And just like that, the weekend has gone by. Lots done, yet nothing happened - keeping ourselves busy yet keeping ourselves quiet. 

I have scones to bake for Youngest to take back when he returns to uni so I'll stop here and get on. 

stay safe xxx

Slow, snow Sunday

This morning felt really chilly with an icy grey cloud hanging low over the village. It was not long before it started to snow, so it seemed a really good time to reach for the thread and needle and continue my sewing.

I can't tell you what it is as the person it is destined for does read my blog however what I am sharing is a little tip I picked up a while ago and used very successfully today. See the two marks on my nail? They line up with the blanket stitches. I'd read that if you are doing tiny sewing, by marking on your nail the distance you want to your stitches to be, it helps give a regular spaced out rhythm to your sewing and once you've completed the stitching - you just wash off the ink on your nail. Simples!

By lunch the snow suddenly stopped and although the sun didn't break through the clouds, the sky lightened and in places the snow glowed gold in the afternoon gloom.

We didn't go too far, just our local 'dog loop' around the village and Moss was delighted - she loves snow, racing around, skidding and chasing snowballs. She grabs mouthfuls of snow and seems to enjoy chewing it - strange. The next picture is my favourite for today - I love how she is 'standing proud' with her stick she 'troffled' out of the snow to carry.

As we reached the highest point of our walk, a snow-laden fog drifted over the hill and down into the valley, slipping in and around of buildings. It gave the village wind turbine the appearance of floating about the ridge.

We dropped off the ridge we were on, back down into the village, as we - although wrapped warmly and walking briskly - were both just barely warm enough and I was certain I could hear the 'kettle calling' to us. And of course - you just can not have a mug of tea whilst warming your toes in front of the fire - without a fiery dark ginger cake ..... so that is what we did! 

I will share the recipe with you tomorrow - unless something more interesting happens - but at the moment the cake will top most things due to it's deep dark gingery and gooey goodness with it's soft and squidgy texture.... just might have to go in for a third oops I mean 'another' piece, before my mug of tea is finished.

Well. 

That is the weekend. 

It has slipped away somewhat. Never mind😊

Hope your weekend was gently kind to you and there were precious moment to treasure xxx💗💗

Blogtober day 18 - what a (chilly) breeze

This afternoon while I listened to the radio the rain clattering outside, I sewed. I've not sewn in earnest for over a year now. During the lockdown the sewing machine saw serious action while I made masks and cushion covers then as life began to open up and we returned to work and we could emerge from the safety and seclusion of our homes, the sewing machine quietly began to to collect dust.

Eldest and his partner have set up their home in a lovely if slightly wonky cottage and like all old buildings, modern doors don't fit so there is often (who am I kidding) there is always a gap where a sneaky draught will slip through.

So today - I made two draught excluders - in a mustard and grey 'tartan-esque' upholstery fabric. In two different lengths to fit the width of two different doors.

I did fiddle about quite a bit with the first one as I wanted a specific shape. I felt that a completely tubular roll might let cold air both over and under it and I wanted some 'sharpish' corners to be able to tuck up tight against the door to reduce the gap.

The fabric I had came with a fringed edge and I really wanted it to show - well that had me scratching my head too - but I managed !

So, by the end of the afternoon I had two stuffed draught excluders and I discovered something, they really do work! They kept the draught out from beneath this door ... I shall be making a third excluder - but for us!!

How long have I muttered about the chilly breeze on my feet in the evenings during autumn and winter???!! (slaps forehead 🙄) 

#blogtober2021

Blogtober day 5 - the ripped up version

I am supposed to be working today but the weather outside and the weather on my laptop (and my cell and the TV - yes I checked them all) all say it is going to be ..... 

 
hmmmmmm 😕

Any hoo ... in fact the sky outside is a most evil yellow grey mush - my camera can't pick up the true depth of grot but it is definitely rather menacing. The interesting thing is though - it is not so much the weather being the issue but this morning's first garden ..... which has to be done no.matter.what... Most folk are really understanding and if I postpone coz of the weather - so be it, however...... I best get my waterproofs out (all of them....) for my first garden (the owner is a lovely lady - but her garden is very very important to her and it has to be 'just right').

What I was going to waffle on about was something a little more domesticated (no - that sounds like I have been house trained to behave .... try again) what I was going to waffle on about was a bit of an essential repair job. 

While we were on house moving duties, I caught the back of my puffa jacket on the corner of something sharp and ripped the fabric. Now, this jacket is a working one and has suffered rips and snags before and has been repaired. Not I might add in the usual way but in one inspired by boro boro mending.

Using a rather eclectic mix of Japanese influenced stitchery, patchwork and good dose of old fashioned 'I-don't-really-follow-rules-and-just-make-it-up-as-I-go-along' method, I appliqued a flowery shape over the tear, then ran a double thread back and forth to strengthen the fabric below while securing the patch. I love the unevenness and random bumpy feel of the stitches on the cloth. 

While I was stitching a certain cat was making the most of having the other settee to herself and was snoozing happily in the glow of the woodburner - I knew she was warm coz she'd flopped over and exposed her feet and her little 'toe-beans' looked rather pink.

I am no expert, nor am I particularly neat when it comes to sewing - however it does what it is supposed to do - repair the rip, look fun and make me happy and it does all three!

So, how is October so far for you?

Were you one of those floored by the lack of FB, Whatsapp and Insta?

Did you even notice is was off or was it a blessing?

And ... the million dollar question .... will I be working later!?!? (answers will be added later😄☔)

#blogtober2021

**Edited to add: Morning garden was a washout and fortunately the owner cancelled without a quibble,  although obviously a washout of a day, just waiting for confirmation of cancellation of afternoon -