Post 458 Challenging weather and lots of activity.

It's been a week of appointments and service. medical work, Vergola have finally appointed a technician and he's coming tomorrow! I've had dentist visits, blood  and eye tests and checkups. I have more dental work next month and I won't have blood  test results until tomorrow. I do, however, now have a fairly good report from my optometrist. My eye condition is under control, I passed my driving vision test and I have a new pair of glasses on the way.

My dentist is close to the Hameji gardens and I managed a visit after my treatment. It is a calming and meditative place. I love the way individual flowers, or rocks, or  plants, are given space and position. These two stood out.

There were also a couple of cockatoos and a duck feeding on the grasses outside, the duck silent and the cockatoos very noisy. 

We had an electrical storm on Wednesday night. Thunder. lightening and rain around 8pm but apparently most of the action was between about 2 and 5 am. Several friends lost power, which was restored just in time for an even bigger storm on Saturday.

Wednesday had been a busy day with WES group - giving the talk as well as running the meeting. Lots of discussion, plenty of sharing and things to discuss as well as the talk itself. A few members sick, a number caring for partners or family, fitting in between commitments. A really great group. The meetings and follow up take quite a bit of my energy - and gives me great satisfaction.

Saturday was the Christmas Pageant - a big event on the Adelaide calendar, signalling the arrival of all things Christmas. More important to me was the phone call to tell me the two cabinets I ordered 20 weeks ago from Nordic Design Furniture were ready to  be inspected on Pageant day. There are road closures all around me, so I planned my escape. It certainly rained on the parade and for much of the day. It didn't deter the crowds. The city was abuzz, families everywhere, and traffic crawling. I got to Nordic Furniture, signed off on the two pieces and paid the residual. To my delight they were delivered on Monday.

Leanne, the owner and manager of the Pilates studio I attend, has been making plants in clay pebbles for sale. I am hooked. I bought a couple more this week, now that my front balcony is restored and I don't have balcony plants inside.  

So far they are doing well. I'm looking forward to seeing how they go in the long term.

I organised the printing of my Christmas cards and spent a few hours redoing my list of address labels so I could have them printed at OfficeWorks. I picked up the  labels on Sunday and went for another walk in the Hameji Garden. There was a group of Magpies occupying one area and occasionally disturbing the peace.

Most of the flowers I had photographed earlier in the week were wilting but this new one had burst open along a path. 

At home I cooked up a couple of pies for Monday dinner - since I had my lengthy optometrist appointment,  late Monday morning, and the two cabinets being delivered Monday afternoon.

In the light of the delivery, I emptied the Indian trunk which has been storing some of my family history treasures and moved it so the new cabinet  can be put in its place. I discovered a secret section in the trunk that I had not known about. It was (fortunately, I'm inclined to think) empty. The trunk is going to Veronica, who is quite excited about it. Both she and Niamh found the secret compartment with little trouble. It isn't difficult once you know there is one. It's hard to believe I have used the trunk for about 15 years without noticing the space oddity. 

I spent this morning at the hairdresser and this afternoon transferring things into the family history drawers.  

There is a drawer for items from each of three generations 

 -  my grandparents, my parents, and mine. The fourth drawer at the moment is holding a variety of documents. 

I need to do a lot more work to determine what goes in the drawers and what goes into archival folders. There are more Bibles in the grandparent drawer (although they were not churchgoers in Australia) than the others!  There is satisfaction in the task, but also sadness. I'm happy for today to have got this much sorted and the drawers closed.  My main frustration is that I can't find the unfinished embroidery of my mother's, which I planned to put on the top of this cabinet, under the glass I had made for the top. Yes, it is in that safe place. I'm trusting it will turn up.

 

The other cabinet is a replacement for an older, elegant sewing cabinet which opens by the lid sliding in two directions, meaning it needs to be placed with plenty of space on either side. I think the drawers will work better for me.        

It's been a busy and eventful week. My thoughts with friends in NSW in the line of floods yet again, and those still without power in SA. I've nearly finished my brother's vest - and planning my next project - a story for another day.

                                                       

Post 357 It's all about symbols

The view from my window tonight is interesting. 

The heart in lights on the building on the left, as well as being partially blocked to my view by the building in front of it, now has a number of other lights missing. The tall building in the middle has random lights on, and to the right the moon is descending. Unfortunately I can't capture the moon as the crescent it is to the naked eye. It is an interesting piece of abstract art. 

Heartbreak by Moonlight?

I spent most of the morning turning the presentations from our World Embroidery Study Group meeting earlier this month into notes I could print for a member of the group who can't access email reports. It takes time to create a version that captures enough of the content without too much unaffordable colour printing. I think I've succeeded. I was hoping to finish and print it before I left for Pilates, so I could take it with me to post, but didn't quite finish. I now hope to mail it tomorrow.

After Pilates (which exercised a few unaccustomed areas and left me with a couple of aches) I called at the Guild to return the books I had borrowed on both Icelandic and Bulgarian embroideries and also to borrow Sheila Paine's book on Embroidered Textiles. Christine Bishop had recommended its section on Bulgarian Embroidery.    

As it turned out, the couple of pages on Bulgarian embroidery, in the first section of the book Guide to Identification, were less interesting than the later sections of the book which unpacked a lot of the beliefs and practices that underpin symbols and motifs used in embroidery across the world.         

The second chapter, The Decorative Power of Cult, looks at the influence of symbols of very ancient worship - across many, many cultures and the varieties of ways they manifest.                                                                                                                        

I was particularly interested in the last chapter, The Magical Source of Protection, again, manifesting differently in multiple cultures.

One example is that bovine horns were widely regarded as protective (possibly,  Paine reports because of their seemingly magical property of shedding and renewal)

An early example of a horned animal used as a votive or amulet is the gold plaque of a bovine dating from 4500 BC, found in the tombs of Varna in Bulgaria. The holes in this plaque would indicate that it was stitched onto fabric. Paine p152

She outlines evidence of its use in India and Asia, then goes on to say (p154 ) At its westernmost point in the embroideries of Hungary and Bulgaria the horn remains as a small hooked motif worked on the edge of patterns, usually in black thread.

There is this fine example in Vala Georgieva's work.

The book is going to prove interesting to a number of our studies in the World Embroidery Group.

From the Guild I went to Tony and Mark's excellent shop in the Unley Shopping Centre and bought quite a lot of fruit and veg as well as milk. I was very curious about these flowers in their florist section. I should have asked about them, but by now I was tired and wanted to get home.

I spent a while finishing off a summary of my researches into Bulgarian embroidery before getting down to the lettering on my Owl Service.

I did rather better than I thought I might. I've found using three strands of silk and couching it down works best. I now intend to unpick the first few words and redo them in this manner. Then I can block it and add the gimp when it arrives.

I'm hugely relieved. I began to think I would not be able to manage the text.

I know now that it will work. It's a bit mad and obscure, but a powerful image for those interested in Alan Garner's work, or Welsh legend.

Post 350 Asking the experts

Late this afternoon Black Tips paid a visit. I haven't put seed out for several days, but it doesn't put him off. He got jittery when I tried to open the door to give him the last of the seed in my container, so I let him be.Tomorrow I shall refresh the water and put out the remaining seed.

Half an hour before I was due to leave for Pilates, the postie delivered a parcel - my kit for the Inspirations Remembrance poppy project in the latest issue. It arrived in this box - 32cmx27cmx12cm. I buzzed the postie in. She left it in the entry foyer and I went down and picked it up. 

Inside was another box, some 22cmx16cmx5cm and inside that was the kit, some 15cmx10cmx1cm in a plastic bag.  Had this been delivered half an hour later, I would have been on my way to Pilates. The parcel would then be taken to the local post office where I could pick it up after 4pm.

I have emailed Inspirations suggesting they offer customers the option of postage in padded post bags that fit easily into letterboxes.

I finished Pilates at 2pm. I had arranged to meet Christine Bishop at the Guild at 3pm, to show her Nelly's Bulgarian embroidery collection. I filled in the hour between by having lunch at the Queen St Cafe, my usual Atlantic Salmon with salad and beetroot dressing. It is really delicious and very healthy.

At the Guild it was the change over period between the Open Day group and the Open Evening group. The half a dozen people there were very interested in the Bulgarian collection. I am in the process of putting together a document for Nelly so won't go into great detail here. 

In summary, I think I established that 

(1) the older pieces of embroidery by Vala Georgieva are worked on hand-woven hemp

(2) 3 or 4 of those older pieces are very beautiful and collectable

(3) they include a range of traditional stitches and motifs

(4) the collection of Miche Todorova is all crocheted and displays a high level of skill. The patterns are not common.

This piece of crochet was much admired by those with knowledge of crochet.

There was some debate about how it was achieved, and whether it was knitted or crocheted. It was established that yes, it is crocheted and Christine explained how.

There was a lot of admiration, too, for this border. 

I think I have enough information to do a reasonable job of documenting. I have more photographs to take and a bit to add to the PowerPoint. Christine also suggested a couple of reference books on the stitches. 

It reached 33C in Adelaide today, below the 38 forecast. After lunching out I had crackers with cheese and tomato slices for dinner. I washed the champagne flutes this morning, so thought I should try one out. 

It works fine.  

I got a little done on the Owl Service. It's slow work because I have to work it out as I go, but it's a fun challenge.

It might be a bit focused for Sit'bStitch tomorrow. I may revert to my crochet squares.

Post 287, Pilates and friends

 

It was a warm, pleasant day in Adelaide - ahead of rising temperatures over the weekend. I had three commitments today, beginning with Pilates at 12. I spent time this morning catching up on emails and bills as well as reading a bit more of Ian Rankin's A Song for the Dark Times, one of the books for our Book Club meeting this weekend and finding some more resources on Anglo-Saxon embroidery.

Pilates was good.  I improved on my balance exercise which pleases me.

After Pilates I had arranged to meet,  at the Queen St Cafe, down the road from the Pilates Studio, a neighbour from my old street in Hindmarsh. We hadn't caught up all year, so had a lot of ground to cover.  Niamh and I have been going to this cafe for milkshakes after Junior Embroiderers. My only criticism is that they don't have lime milkshakes. Today I began my campaign to get them to get lime flavouring.  The waitress says someone else asked about it - so there's a chance.

I had their grilled salmon, which was great. Branka had the pulled pork. We both regret not being able to swim laps this year, but we are also in agreement that we are fortunate to have our families in Australia (one of her daughters got back from work in Europe just in time) and to have our health. We've agreed to catch up more frequently next year.

From Queen Street I went to Jennifer's place to sort out my crochet. Jennifer  had been to her hairdresser today and got lots of expert advice on the impact of  health issues this year on her hair. It looked great. She also has flowers and Christmas decorations in abundance. I should have thought to take photos. Some of the decorations are very old family heirlooms.

We analysed our respective crochet squares. Jennifer solved the size difference.  We each worked the first round. Hers, the white one, was larger than my pink one.

 I am using an old crochet hook that I inherited from either my mother or grandmother - I can't be sure. It is marked as a Size 10. This should translate as 3.25 mm. Jennifer, however was using a 3.00 mm (hers on right), which was clearly larger than my hook (left). I therefore came home with Jennifer's hook and will try again using it. I'm pretty sure this will solve the size difference.

I can't explain the 10 on my hook.

I stopped off at Officeworks on the way home to get more ink cartridges so I can print off yesterday's email to the World Embroidery Study Group for a couple of members who can't get photos on email. I bought a few other small things and hadn't, for once, brought a bag from the car ,so purchased one of their paper bags made from recycled material. Their advertising is clever.                                                                                                                                   My Christmas cards from the printer were in my letterbox when I got home so I can get on with writing in them ready for posting on Monday. 

Tonight I have worked a square with the 3.00mm hook. On the left is the result on top of Jennifer's version. Mine is still smaller, but not so much. 

To the right is the one I worked with the old hook. laid on top of both. I'll work a few more with the 3mm hook to see if I have consistency and sufficient density.

The building work continues next door. The walls are rising and I'm fairly sure they will continue the full nine storeys which will entirely block out my view currently in the photo on the left, looking south east..    You can see the white walls of the building.   

                                                    

Fortunately it won't block my view to the north east (right).

And sunset over the Square remains a source of endless variety and joy.

Post 279 Few photo opportunities

I had a few jobs to do today, a bit of domestic tidying in the morning and commitments in the afternoon. I managed to add a zip to the first of the sashiko squares I had finished.I haven't fixed the sides as yet, but I wanted to try the zip. 

It seemed to work, so I went off happy to Pilates. There I was able to try out the new Covid Safe Check-in app. The first time you use it you need to register with a verification code sent to your mobile. I didn't want to do that with a queue behind me. Plenty of time and space at Pilates.

It worked!

I had arranged to meet some friends at Elders Fine Art on Melbourne St North Adelaide. They have an Art auction on Sunday and I am interested in a couple of paintings. My friends were interested in some Bernard Hesling plates. Elders have two buildings in their Gallery, the old church on the left and the terrace on the right. There is a building between. The paintings I am interested in are in the church. I used my Covid Safe Check-in app to get in - again, it worked very quickly!  I'm still thinking about the paintings.

Between Pilates and Elders I managed to park outside DK Fabrics and buy a pile of zips for however many sashiko pouches I might make. DK have plenty of parking at the back, but the council has introduced ticket parking to stop people parking there all day. It is a nuisance. You can't use a credit card for less than 3 hours. For 1 hour parking you need a $1 coin. Covid has all but eliminated coins as a method of payment, so I rarely have a $1 coin. Street parking outside is 15 minutes only - OK for buying a handful of zips!

I got home with about 15 minutes to spare before Niamh and Veronica arrived so I could take them to choir practice.  They are getting ready for a socially distanced end of year concert. Usually Young Adelaide Voices have concerts in which all six of their choirs perform but this year each choir will perform only to their own parents. 

In between my outings I managed to finish a second sashiko panel.

I  also worked another dot square. I'm getting the hang of these. I will make a blanket, but I think I need to come up with a second and third plan to use up some of this cotton.

I admit, however, that I am finding both these projects more engrossing than stitching on hexies. The quilt,  is taking up quite a bit of room next to a chair in my lounge room and will eventually shame me into tackling it.

Eventually.

Post 258 Shades of purple

Before I left for Pilates, Turtle arrived and scoured the wet balcony for seed. He stayed a while on the rail, puffed up and looking like an old bird.

The third volume of the printed version of this blog arrived this morning. I was fortunately in, heard the courier buzz (just!) and retrieved the package. This takes the printed copies to Post 217. I plan two more, one at the end of December and the final at the end of February.

I managed a couple of rows of knitting before it was time to go to Pilates. I got to do some balancing on the vibrating circulation pad - very scary.

This is today's photo of the Jacarandas on Carrington Street taken on the way home. They make quite a good colourway with the grey sky.

The one below was taken later this evening on my way to friends' place for dinner. It's the Jacaranda at Adelaide High School.

I had another visit from Turtle late this afternoon. He watched for a while from the roof, ate a little seed (wet from rain) then took up a position on the rail for quite a long time. He's puffed up in the rain and relative cold. Just waiting. Or resting.

It took 39 minutes to drive to my friends' place just before 5.30, and 18 minutes to drive home at 10pm.  I guess I should expect that and leave home earlier, instead of photographing birds!

They have a lovely pot of pansies outside their front door.

I took my knitting with me and finished a couple more rows. I still have probably close to half a skein of wool left, but think I have done enough to make a reasonable size shawl.

At home I knitted one more row, then finished using an elastic cast-off. 

I then blocked it to about twice the size. I chose not to use the blocking rods. I think it will look better with scalloped edges. The trunk behind the shawl is about 90cm long.

We'll see what it looks like in the morning. 

I really need to go to bed - shouldn't have had coffee after dinner tonight! I'm hoping when I wake in the morning the Crewel Work Company's Aesop Fable kit will be available for me to order!