Sunday 17 May 2015

The casket is on hold....

After completing the fence and checking that the size of the front panel was correct I found I have still not decided whether to make this a 'family' casket or not.  So for now, the couple remain faceless and the front lawns empty.  My favoured quote to go along the bottom edge is too long so perhaps I will settle for initials of forebears?
Anyway, for now, I have put this aside and am finishing up the hardanger pieces.  Do you remember my desire to use up a piece of linen?  I feel so very righteous for using up virtually all but a few threads of this piece of linen and am hoping that my Embroiderers' Guild will be able to sell these at the end of year exhibition.    The needlecase still needs a flannel page and the tassel on the left needs its tassel.
And now I have a new start.   My best friend has her fortieth wedding anniversary later this year, hence the ruby colour and the expensive silk floss.  I am looking forward to stitching this one - linen and silk are such a luxurious combination.
(Photo from Internet)
This week is the Auckland Writers Festival and on Thursday evening I went with a friend to the gala night.   None of the writers participating that evening were familiar to me but the seven minute slots in which eight selected authors had been persuaded to tell a "never before told personal story on the theme Strait Talking" was amazingly entrancing.   Amy Bloom has my vote for best, with Alan Cumming a close second.   He's such a tiny little fellow but so engaging. I am on the wait list at the Library for his memoir.   Ben Okri's poetry will be next.   That man has such a wonderful vocabulary.
(Photo from Internet)
Yesterday I went into the City again to spend an hour with Anthony Horowitz.   Not a one on one you understand.   As you may remember, each year I try to be impressed with the satorial splendour of the authors.  Well, Anthony did not win in the dress stakes but I, along with many others, was smitten with his smile and engaging manner.  There were several hundred others there,including a grandmother and her two young grand sons.  The boys were obviously avid readers of " real books Granny" and could have won a Mastermind Quiz as both were expert on all details of Alex Ryder.   I do hope they met Anthony afterwards.     A really fun day, only clouded by the fact that the housework awaited me on my return home!
And tonight I'm off to watch Antiques Roadshow and enjoy my stitching.

6 comments:

Hazel said...

Very pretty stitching. That red will look awesome. X

Ann at Beadlework. said...

The casket stitching is so very effective, it draws you into the piece. The hardanger set is very impressive Margaret, I love the piece to the left that looks as though it could be a scissors fob or a pincushion. The writer's festival event sounds very interesting - Alan Cumming has been in quite a few things I've watched on television or in film.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

The casket looks lovely. I hope it doesn't have to wait too long until a decision is made!
The red silk does indeed look luxurious, can't wait to see this one started.
And an exciting weekend too, what a great experience. Although I work in a bookshop we usually only get local authors come do signings here. The Norwich shop get the bigger names!

Queeniepatch said...

Good of you to use so much of the linen! I hope the beuatiful items you have created will fetch a good price. Looking forward to the casket and the wedding anniversary gift.

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Your casket is beautiful. Each time I read your blog I have to remind myself we live in different parts of the world and when it is summer here in TN it is the beginning of winter for you

Irene said...

che meraviglie mi piacciono tanto i tuoi ricami