Still Trying

I check out Pantry Violets on a regular basis and am constantly delighted and inspired by the creative output of Jone - LOVE the Easter eggs! - and Danielle, and all you other talented ladies. Anyway, finally found a little time last week between paper work and gardening and cleaning ponds and choosing tiles for the barn renovation, to do a bit of sewing ( I know, I know, everyones' lives are as busy and complicated as mine, but it's comfortable to have an excuse for not having exercised my creative muscle lately).

My project was a collage for an old friend who will be celebrating his 60th birthday on April Fool's Day and, Ooooo, I enjoyed myself so much - it was like a much needed meditation. I'm keeping my fingers crossed he likes it, though I know men can sometimes find small textile things a tad "girlie" and his house is somewhat bloke-ish. A girlfriend of mine had given me a little jar of delightful heart-headed pins for Christmas and I'm ashamed to say this was my first opportunity to use them (I made a little heart-shaped wrist pin-cushion to put them on).

Whilst stiching I remembered a colour "sampler" Carol and I saw at the textile fair in February. The lady was selling cotton and silk embroidery yarns and had done this amazing, huge linen sheet of tiny jewel-like coloured squares of cross stitch; it reminded me of a Paul Klee painting, quite exquisite. I asked her how much she wanted for it, but she told me it was a work of love and not for sale. Anyone else know how she feels?