This week's big event was the World Embroidery Study Group meeting on Wednesday. It was the first of two meetings on "Mend and Make Do". This week we had Pat's presentation, which focused on the work of some contemporary artists who use recycled materials. Pat brought along two pieces of her own recycling, one the really charming top in the top right of the photo, and the other a jacket with knitted patches, in the top left of the photo.
Lori, who is presenting her findings next month told us about the book she is using (bottom right) and also wore a jacket with knitted patches (bottom left).
Barbara Mullan brought along some of her brilliantly creative clothing, but I was too absorbed to remember to photograph! I'll do better next month.
In addition, the Guild Library had received about 5 boxes of books from a deceased estate - all of them relevant to World Embroidery. Most of the books were already in the Library, so these were made available for sale to members, and we were given first dibs. It was a treasure trove, and most of us didn't hold back.
I was fairly restrained, only buying two items, a journal and a slim volume on Icelandic embroidery by Elsa Gudjohnson, who is the authority on the subject. The journal also has an article by her. It also has an article on Deerfield, which I love. We managed to contribute $155 to Guild coffers through the sale, and the remaining books are being stored until our next meeting for absent members to have a look.
On Thursday I had a mammogram in the morning - a new machine since my last visit two years ago, but the same process. I am admiring of the clinic staff - so thoughtful, clear in their instructions and excellent communicators. I was in and out in no time. My brother rang in the afternoon and we caught up on his birthday celebrations and gigs. In the evening I went to a Guild friend's place for dinner and conversation. We had a delicious prawn curry and hours of shared stories and philosophy. It's very sustaining.
On Friday I caught the city loop bus into the heart of the city, for a quarterly lunch with friends at the Treasury. The morning was chilly and raining, so I took an umbrella but didn't use it. It was a lovely relaxed lunch. My Coorong Mullet was fantastic.
I haven't ventured into the Square for months because of the building. My apartment is the one circled in blue. The building is close to its full height. There was a further concrete pour on Friday and a crane is still lifting panels up to the top at 6.30 pm tonight - in the dark - as I write this. And it's noisy.
Saturday was JEMS. Niamh went to the Guild straight from Netball and I picked her up. The Queen Street Cafe owner now knows our milkshake order without being told!
Also on Sunday, Melanie, my fellow family history researcher, had a bit of a breakthrough in our quest to find what happened to Mary Jane Noble after she retired from the Newsagency. We are still awaiting the certificates to confirm, but it now seems that Mary Jane married, at the age of 55, George Coles, a 41 year-old dog dealer, living over the shop for a few years before moving to this house.
If we are on the right track, Mary Jane Coles died in 1944. We await a copy of a marriage certificate, a death certificate and a copy of a Will.
Dinner last night was stir-fried duck with noodles and lots of great conversation. I bought a cooked whole Beijing duck and deboned it. The bones have made a rich stock for my duck soup.
Today we had an extra Sit'nStitch, making up for one we missed last week. Jennifer has begun some knitting as respite from Sophie's World, which is at the half-way mark. Susan B. is still loving Margaret Light's design. Barbara joined us today to learn a loose cast off for a beautiful shawl. 
I continued on my Entrelac shawl, which is looking more like a blanket, or possibly a cape. The single lounge chair on which it is spread for the photo gives an idea of the size.
Now for Duck Soup and Pie in The Sky!
