This week I've referred to my Year of Gentle Domesticity plans a few times, and also shown you the framed mission statement I made for the bedside table which reminds and inspires me each morning to stay on track with the domestic arts I desire to re-visit, learn, enjoy and hone.
One of those arts to learn is bobbin-lace making and after receiving a few comments and emails about the subject I thought I'd explain a bit more about why I'm interested in it...
Bobbin lace is not new to our household.
My sweet daughter Blossom (who will be 21 in May, can you believe it!?) dabbled in this craft after a lesson in Alice Springs when she was just 12. This was her first piece of bobbin lace, which became a bookmark gift for me....
We left Alice Springs soon after and moved to a remote outback school where the nearest supplier of milk and bread was almost two hours away, so having ample activity supplies on hand for the children was very important as we didn't venture out much. We were homeschoolers and always open to trying new crafts or techniques and because Blossom was very keen to continue with lace making we ordered her some basic supplies...
Over time I received more precious lengths of her practice lace....
Eventually in 2008 a new craft caught her fancy (beading) and I was left with her learner's bobbin lace tools which I duly packed away in case her interest ever returned.
Fast forward to 2011.
Picking through the items at a local Saturday morning garage sale near our (then) home reminded me of the lace supplies stored up high in the linen cupboard. A woven bag hidden amongst piles of craft supplies held beautiful lace making bobbins and threads!
After handing over a crisp $5 note to cover the price tag marked on the bag I returned home with treasures for the future.
When this Year of Gentle Domesticity was rolling towards me and I began listing the things I'd like to learn through 2015, bobbin-lace seemed quite natural as my supplies are abundant...
I have a few time-consuming commitments for stitchery designs at the moment, but when the calendar rolls over into April some regular weekly afternoons will be given over to learning this wonderful and complex art, but I am a realist as well as a visual learner so I think YouTube might somehow be involved with lessons.
I'll show you some peeks at those stitchery commitments tomorrow.
They are making me smile, but I do need time to crack on and finish them so last night I made enough dinner to cover two nights which means I can settle in for the entire afternoon today and tango with my needle and thread.
They are making me smile, but I do need time to crack on and finish them so last night I made enough dinner to cover two nights which means I can settle in for the entire afternoon today and tango with my needle and thread.
Mr E is very happy last night's supper is returning for an encore presentation tonight!
I made Spinach & Ricotta Filo Roll from THIS recipe, and some Chilli & Capsicum Jam from a recipe inside the Paleo Cafe cookbook. Both were delicious!
I made Spinach & Ricotta Filo Roll from THIS recipe, and some Chilli & Capsicum Jam from a recipe inside the Paleo Cafe cookbook. Both were delicious!
What new craft would you enjoy learning?
hugs
