Gentle Domesticity week 14 - a patchwork allotment...

Have you flown over fields of patchwork?

It's one of the things I love about flying low over the countryside as the plane is descending in preparation to land; that blend of natural greens and browns across the landscape which has been cordoned off into man-made squares, triangles and odd shapes to separate fields and paddocks for crops and livestock.

MEN AT PATCHWORK

In our reading this week Jane Brocket discusses how the allotments found in numerous areas of England give an appearance of patchwork, and how most of the allotments are overseen by men, men who unwittingly create patchwork patterns in their gardens, just as we women create patchwork quilts of fabric for  hearth and home.

"I go to look at the local allotments in the spring and summer, but find they are at their most glorious in late August and September when there are wonderful shows of beans and sunflowers, tomatoes and dahlias, all beautifully laid out to form a magnificent quilt of fruit, vegetables and flowers." (page 102)

She draws our attention to the painting below, "Allotments" (1987) by David Inshaw.

"These sometimes gruff, sometimes taciturn, sometimes burly men create the most wonderful living patchwork full of colour and texture..." (page 102)

VILLANDRY

Remembering her visit to a garden in Villandry, France, Jane was inspired to create her own patchwork garden as a quilt which she naturally titled "Villandry" using a variety of the Kaffe Fassett fabrics which she favours.

Jane pieced both back and front of her quilt and it certainly did justice to the late summer allotments she admires!

ROUND IN CIRCLES

Rounds: the daily revolutions which circle to become a completed week, the peeling of apples for pie or tarte tartin, the winding of yarn into a ball, the view inside a cup of tea, and the knitting of socks on five double pointed needles in-the-round.

As was mentioned in a previous chapter Jane is an avid sock knitter who enjoys the spiralling, round and round repetitiveness of bringing the yarn into foot shaped submission for herself and her children.

Comparing the knitting of socks to her daughter's accomplishment at ballet she asked Phoebe to model for her...

"Just as I cast on, knit, turn a heel, knit, shape and cast off, so she goes through the necessary motions with ballet. She imbues her patterns with movement and energy and exuberance. It always makes me think I should do the same with the socks I knit for her. So...I always choose bright, vibrant yarns...that dance on my needles and dance on her feet." (page 107)

Next week we shall be reading pages 108-113 to finish the chapter on Patterns.

* Does the abundance of nature around you inspire creativity? In what way?

* Have you visited somewhere in the world or even within your own city, that birthed a creative idea (such a Jane's Villandry quilt) which you followed through on? What was it?

As we've been reading through The Gentle Art of Domesticity it's clearly obvious that Jane Brocket shows great thoughtfulness in the things she makes for her family, whether that be socks, cake, cookies or a quilt, and I find that personally inspiring. 

In this day and age of convenience gifts, where it's so easy to grab a box of chocolates or a pretty coffee mug, I believe more and more people have allowed the thoughtfulness of gift giving to slip right on by.

Many years ago I bought my friend Fiona a beautiful tea cup and saucer decorated with hand painted geraniums. She was so gracious when she received it in the mail even though the saucer had cracked during transit. A year or two after that I sent her a tea cosy. Again, very gracious.

But one day, maybe another twelve months later, we were having a conversation on the phone (we live in different states) and as she was quite weary that afternoon I suggested she brew a cup of tea and take a rest. 

"I'll make a coffee", she said," because I don't drink tea. I don't like it."

Now, I had sent her the tea cup and saucer because "I" liked it, and I had sent her the tea cosy because I'd made it and kept it aside in my gift box for presents that year and Fiona just happened to be the recipient, but in both instances I'd not really thought about whether these gifts would suit her. Yet, she was beautifully gracious both times.

There was a big lesson in this for me at the time and ever since it's been my aim to find out more about my friends, their likes and dislikes, before preparing gifts to give. 

Even more so, I need to keep in mind the likes and dislikes of my own family members and this means having conversations regularly about their interests as people do change, especially young people - although I myself have a slightly different style today than I did four or five years ago. 

I'm also reminded of a friend who was a regular participant in sewing swaps a few years back. She told me that before a swap the various crafters involved would write a list of their likes and dislikes with regards to colours, styles, fabrics etc and give it to the swap co-ordinator who would in turn give it to the person who'd be making and sending your gift. This way everyone was sure to receive something that suited their home, or in the case of fabrics, fat quarters which they'd happily use in projects.

My friend took careful note of the information given about her swap partner and chose the gifts she'd make with care to fulfil the description of her anonymous partner's personal preference - but more often than not, the swap gifts my friend received in return were nothing at all like she'd requested or described. Being someone who loved pretty pastels she too often received swap gifts or fabrics in gaudy bright prints, civil war browns or children's novelty prints - nothing like what she'd written when describing her personal taste, so she simply had to step away from swaps. 

Another way we can consider others when giving gifts is to ask ourselves "is this too much?"

Not everyone likes to fill every nook and cranny of their home with nik-naks so instead of many little gifts perhaps it's wise all round to send just one special present which you know will be loved, used and appreciated. 

Now for the budget minded within most of us.

Is it really necessary to send so many gifts these days? I ask this because when I was a child my Nana would send a card in the mail to cheer a friend, or make a meal and deliver it in person. It never entered her mind to be posting away parcels of gifts to people in other towns, states, countries. Even for close family who lived far away she would simply send a card with a hanky inside for birthdays but at Christmas just a card. 

Gifts had greater meaning when I was young, they were sparse and therefore greatly treasured and appreciated. Our consumer society has certainly turned that on its head. In fact it's not easy to buy for others theses days because most people have already bought, or own, what they want. Nana wouldn't believe this if I could tell her now.

It wasn't until I began embroidery and patchwork in my mid forties that my own habit of posting gifts began...and in hindsight it was due to a mix of delight in making for others, and a need to 'do' something with all the things I made. Stitching and patchwork quickly became an addiction and every day after homeschool lessons and housework, plus at night in front of the telly, I'd be making something! That's when I also joined swaps as a way of relieving myself of the abundance of handmade projects but I soon realised my supply of completed projects did not decrease because I'd receive more items in return. Honestly, I laugh about that now because the common sense attached to my dilemma didn't occur to me until after the first five swaps. 

Anyhow, just thought I'd share my thoughts about being mindful and caring with regards to gift making/giving as this aspect of today's book study really stood out to me. 

I wonder what Jane would make me?

I wonder what she'd make you??

Goodness, what would I make her? 

Aaaah, something garden themed. She's shown a great fondness for that so far in her book...

Every week in the Tuesday book study post I'm encouraging readers and lovers of the gentle domestic life who have a current blog and have blogged about Living the Gentle Domestic Life this year to link their relevant weekly book study post for others to come by, visit their blogs and be inspired. 

 Please do not link to the same post on your blog each week.  Your posts should be new and relevant to the current week's study.

NOTE: If your link is advertising or not a true reflection of the heart for living a gentle domestic life it will be deleted. 

God bless you all so very much!

hugs

The most magnificent day...

Christ has Risen, He has risen indeed!

May the joy of the Lord's Resurrection and the unwavering promise it holds for us and our eternal home in heaven overflow abundantly in your heart today.

Happy Easter from myself, Mr E, Blossom and the girls.

hugs

Enforced slowing...

A number of our family members have been hit with varied health issues over the past few weeks and we're all tired, recovering or still managing illness at the moment.

None of us have the same malady so it's rather befuddling that Blossom, Mr E, Rafaella and I have each 'come a cropper' (as my dear Pop would say) at the same time. 

Little Rafaella was our biggest concern though. As I mentioned last week she was taken to hospital with a very high fever and later discharged when it began to subside. Unfortunately everything flared up again within hours and for the next six days she was a very sick little girl. 

Blossom had been unwell herself and sleepless nights take their toll so as Mr E had finally recovered from his own battle with a nasty infection I brought Cully May over to our house for the day in the hope that Bloss and Rafaella could sleep.

She was wonderful, a live wire as always, but wonderful. She did some shopping with me and we posted parcels away, then home to play. After an hour playing with her sticker book (she LOVES stickers) I brought out some big beads and pasta for her to thread...

This engaged her for another hour, the threading and re-threading being far more important that stopping for afternoon tea although she did request a 'coffee' with her Poppy and I. 

I make her a milk latte and she drinks it from her blue sippy cup, convinced its loaded with coffee. LOL!

When she was finally happy with her necklace I asked if she'd put it on so I could take a photo and she happily obliged but only after making sure I knew "It's for mummy"...

Blossom loved her necklace, though next time it may need to be a little longer. 

Rafaella slowly recovered over the course of a week and when Blossom sent me this photo of our little angel up and about with her dollies and pram it was relief all round.

While my own health challenges are taking a toll life has slowed and this is why you'll notice the lack of blogging. Even this week's book study post was rushed and I apologise for not replying to comments and emails lately. 

I spent all day yesterday in bed with the worst migraine in a decade praying for a reprieve, which actually came today. Thing is, the day after a migraine I feel as though I could conquer the world so naturally I set to work catching up on housework, baking, sewing and business responsibilities.

I have a few different types of migraine and have managed to handle them due to 50 years of enduring them. With seven babies I had no choice but to cope and my pain threshold became naturally very high as I cared for little children during my many migraine episodes.

I have food triggered, light triggered, noise triggered, hunger triggered, weather triggered and fatigue triggered migraines - and have had so for a very long time. Some I can avoid with careful planning or diligence to circumstances, but others arrive with no avenue out. 

(Truly, I have tried every 'remedy' and medicine known to man but to no avail...even my neurologist can't help)

Now a new migraine has joined the gang, facial migraine, and it's the worst of the lot because it causes every bone in my skull to scream with pain, while at the same time my 'regular' migraine is rocking my head and eyes, causing nausea and partial blindness. I started getting these one about a year ago but only once a month...now they come 3 to 4 times a week. 

So all this to explain why there's a lot of enforced slowing around here at the moment, and why I do as much as I can on my good days. Like today.

We've decided to go back to being gluten free for 30 days just to see if there's any affect on the new migraines and as my beloved enjoys a sweet treat with his morning tea, afternoon tea and for dessert at night I made a big batch of gluten free rock cakes and a gluten free choc-caramel slice...

Both are delicious and we all know "happy husband, contented wife" right?

We're praying that being strict with GF will make a difference.

I was going to make my own GF bread as well but decided this is not the time. When things settle down I'll do that but for now the store bought GF bread is fine toasted and smothered in avocado.

Oh, all those pills in the photo are vitamins in case you wondered.

Every day we take vitamin c, niacin, magnesium, vitamin e, phosphotolide choline and a multi vitamin. The only medication we take is Thyroxine because we both have Hashimotos, an auto immune disease. 

CROCHET...

I'm using the Hydrangea pattern from Lucy of Attic 24 to use up all the leftover yarn from Rafaella's birthday blanket and as there's no rush or deadline it's very relaxing to do a row each morning as I ponder the day ahead.

SEWING...

Rhonda from the Down to Earth blog has an apron sew-a-long at the moment and as a number of my aprons were destroyed by mould in the January/February floods I thought it was a wonderful prompt to make some new ones.

I went through my rather large box of stitcheries and chose these little redwork motifs, which I'd designed about five years ago but never used, to go across the apron bib.

The apron was to be completed by now but life stepped in. Hopefully I can finish it tomorrow as I'm in dire need of some pretty new aprons.

DESIGNING...

I'm still working on rows of tulips when I have a chance...

...and I've only a few rows of cross-hatching to do and the final block of Phyllis May's Kitchen will be complete!

Next week, God willing, I'll be putting all the blocks together in one very special project and by the first week of May this long awaited BOM will be open for sign-ups.

Forgive me for putting so much into one blog post but as things are right now I'm wanting to do what I can when I am able.

 

The May issue of the Rewind Stitchery Club has six sweet stitcheries and a bonus mini quilt pattern...

Membership runs for 12 months and in that time you will receive twelve complete issues of The Rewind Stitchery Club with at least 5 patterns in every issue.

Go HERE to join!

All new members receive a joining gift within 24 hours of their subscription and this is one of my old favourites, the Morning Glory Tea Set which includes a tea cosy, coasters and a foldable tea bag cupboard...

I hope you'll consider joining the fun.

Last night as I lay awake for hours, my head not giving me rest, I prayed for everyone the Lord brought to mind and you know, my heart was overflowing with JOY and I couldn't stop smiling. 

It was the most beautiful few hours and I honestly don't have words enough to describe the experience. 

Pain can be a shackle to your heart, a cage around your mind, and lend your emotions to moods you'd rather not remember when the pain has passed...but like Jesus as He prayed and sweat beads of blood in the garden on the night before His crucifixion, when we are suffering we only need ask the Lord to send a ministering angel to strengthen us and He will be faithful to do so. It allowed Jesus to get up and walk forth unto Calvary (Luke 22:43-44) and God loves us no less so when you need help just ask. 

I am praying for you tonight, that Jesus would meet all your needs and fill every empty space in your heart with LOVE that knows no bounds.

hugs

Gentle Domesticity week 13 and free cross stitch...

I truly appreciate how Jane Brocket's book is causing us to look beyond the kitchen, through the washing basket and over the garden gate at the various and interesting ways others express their domestic creativity.

In our reading this week, taken from the chapter on Patterns, we'll look at three mini-topics and the first of those is...

SIMPLE STITCHES

Many years ago, before motherhood, Jane was recuperating from major surgery to improve her chances of having a baby and decided to tackle a cross-stitch pattern. The design she chose will be of no surprise to those of you who've been reading The Gentle Art of Domesticity or following these book study posts - it was a vegetable garden sampler. 

I was quite ready to read Jane's glowing admonishment on the joys and rhythms of the fine art of cross stitch but she stopped me in my tracks.

"I have never been so infuriated by squares and holes in my life. I would look at the pattern one second, transfer my eyes to the fabric the next, and hey presto, the placement would vanish and I could not for the life of me remember where the next stitch went." (page 96)

She struggled on through cabbages, peas and radishes but as soon as she was well enough to get up and about the project was stored away never to be looked upon again, though she did encourage daughter Phoebe years later to stitch simple patterns on cross stitch fabric. Phoebe chose a few bright threads and created a pattern of running stitches...

ODES TO DOMESTICITY

Just as Jane delights in paintings, book and movies which depict an ordinary domestic life, so she also seeks out poetry on the same subject. 

"The more I look over my store of poems, the more I see that it is the poetry of the ordinary and the domestic that stays in my mind." (page 98)

"Domesticity, ordinary life and simple pleasures are perfectly at home in poetry and I think all domestic artists should have a little pocket in their aprons where they can keep their favourite poems. The poems that cheer you up and make you laugh, the poems that make you cry while you're laughing, the ones that help you see beauty in the ephemeral..." (page 98) 

My taste in poetry isn't quite the same as hers, but that's part of being joyfully unique in how each of us approach all the domestic arts.

A modern day poet, Pablo Neruda's 'Ode to Things' is Jane's particular favourite and she suggests you look it up if you only want to read one poem. Another which appears to run a close second is Wendy Cope's 'The Orange'.

"Poems on domestic themes reflect and enhance patterns of ordinary life and should be seen as valuable currency." (page 98)

BINARY SYSTEMS

….or to be more accurate, Fair Isle Knitting.

"I have a thing about Fair Isle knitting. For me it's the ultimate, the apex, the apogee of colour knitting. It is the reason I learned to knit; I longed to use heaps of colours to create clever patterns..." (page 100)

Jane loved knitting Fair Isle jumpers (sweaters) and cardigans for her young children, then years later she had a go at the more contemporary variations but found herself drawn back to the 'old fashioned' patterns again.

"The thing about Fair Isle is that traditional is best. You simply cannot improve on the stunning patterns set out by the many generations of early knitters." (page 100)

Preferring the OXO based pattern (see above) where it looks like a X is knitted either side of an oval shape, she tells us that there is only one golden rule to follow - no more than two colours can be used in a single row. 

"Amazingly these restrictions give rise to the most incredible range of creative and clever interpretations." (page 100)

I was taught cross stitch as a child and until I was 46 it was the only form of embroidery I knew.

Most of my children (including both boys) were also taught to cross stitch in their younger years as I felt it was a skill they'd one day thank me for - along with being able to sew on a button. 

The last cross stitch project I worked on was back in early 2005, just months before I discovered quilts, patchwork, applique and the surface hand embroidery which quite literally stole my heart.

The design is called The Queenslander by Olga Gostin who has created a series of beautiful Australian homes in cross stitch. 

For the longest time it was my 'dream home', this high set Queenslander with billowing flows of bougainvillea cascading from the verandah…

In fact, these were the first French knots I ever stitched.

Funny thing though, we moved to Queensland just four years after I completed this design and a year later moved into a very similar house. I should explain to those outside of Australia that this style of home is called a Queenslander because we live in a hot, humid and often wet state (when not in drought) and the downstairs was keep open for the breeze to flow through at night and cool everything down, as well as allowing flood waters (we have cyclones and monsoons) to pass through.

I have bougainvillea growing in the garden of our own home now, and though it's spiky stems put some people off, we simply love their effervescent abundance of blooms and colour.

You can see more of Olga Gostin's 'home' patterns here

I can understand why Jane Brocket features cross stitch in her chapter about patterns because those rows and rows of tiny crosses are rather magnificent to see, stacked one above the other, line upon line, coming together and making up a beautiful picture.

Recently I received a beautiful cross stitch gift in the mail for my 60th birthday from the very generous and talented Jan Skinner. Isn't it beautiful!?

This now hangs above our bed where the words of life stitched so wonderfully within offer wisdom to my thoughts at the start of each new day.

I thought it might be nice to share a few sites where you can download some lovely free cross stitch patterns which celebrate the seasons we are now in across the globe.

The Snowflower Diaries has long been a favourite and I'm sad she no longer blogs, but kindly she's left all her free patterns there.

The Autumn pattern for we in the southern hemisphere can be found here

And for those in the northern hemisphere embracing spring this sweet bunny from Sew French Cross Stitch can be found here

If you like Samplers this exquisite stocking from Plum Street Samplers may become your next project.

Download the pattern here 

I think many of us yearn to try something new but there's always the possibility our new craft won't be a 'fit' after all.

With that in mind there's no questions this week but I'd love to hear your stories of the various handcrafts you began but never followed through with. Was it cross stitch like Jane, or patchwork, knitting??

Also, are you a reader of poetry? Is there a poem about domestic life you'd like to share.

Next week we're reading pages 102-107

Every week in the Tuesday book study post I'm encouraging readers and lovers of the gentle domestic life who have a current blog and have blogged about Living the Gentle Domestic Life this year to link their relevant weekly book study post for others to come by, visit their blogs and be inspired. 

 Please do not link to the same post on your blog each week.  Your posts should be new and relevant to the current week's study.

NOTE: If your link is advertising or not a true reflection of the heart for living a gentle domestic life it will be deleted. 

God bless you all so very much!

hugs