Such lovely kindness! After I left a rather pathetic little comment on Chrissie's blogpost about the Threads of Feeling exhibition at the London Foundling Museum, she sent me the gorgeous booklet which accompanies it. Is that not generosity personified?
It's beautifully presented and so interesting. I find the subject of childhood poverty and abandonment particularly hard to deal with, so I don't think I'd have been capable of going to the exhibition itself, but from a textile angle, it's a treasure trove. Do read Chrissie's account of her visit, and if you don't already know it, discover a really great blog. (And I am not just saying that because she gave me a book, though it is the quickest way to my heart).
I am gradually whipping my long neglected sewing skills back into shape - two Goosies are waddling off to new homes in the USA and across the UK.
Once I'd finally got the pattern sorted out and stuffed what felt like half a sheep's worth of wool into them, I had the final pleasure of using sumptuous pure silk thread to embellish the seams.
Decoration - more enjoyable than construction? Discuss.
Err..Yes!
ReplyDeleteConstruction is the hard graft - decoration is the bit that makes it all worthwhile!!
ReplyDeleteDecoration is definitely the best bit - the reward for all the hard work of construction!! What a thoughtful gift - I read about the exhibition, but sadly couldn't go. I'm off now to click on the link to Chrissie's blog.
ReplyDeleteps - I have a little something to post to you tomorrow!!
Gretel, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnd the goosies are gorgeous - no discussion required on the construction v decoration debate!
The kindness of bloggers is amazing, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't know.... I love the construction part, too.
Happy Sunday. Is it Spring yet?
What a lovely present - and lovely goosies - I really like the slightly rustic (is that what I mean?, I think so) look to them.
ReplyDeleteEmbellishing is fun, although I do get nervous about doing the eyes!
ReplyDeleteHello Gretel,
ReplyDeleteFor me the beauty is always in the little details and embellishments. That's what makes it special and stand out from the crowd.
Your art will always stand out from the crowd.
Thats why we love you!
Janet xox
Isn't it wonderful when you recieve a surpise in the mail?
I think most artists would agree, the embellishment is the best bit :)
ReplyDeleteSurprise gifts in the post are one of my favourite things. :)
Embellishment - the pleasure is enhanced when preceded by the challenge of construction :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's rather like the difference between icing a cake you made, and icing a cake from the Co-op...
Your sewing skills are catching up with your felting skills, though I do think that you have elevated needle felting to a new dimension. I don't know much about needle felting but I would say that you must be a pioneer in that field.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift, it sounds such a moving exhibition. The goosies are cuties, and there is not doubt that decorations wins hands down.
ReplyDeleteDecoration is always the best part for me....as I struggle with sewing. I even have to drag out my little booklet that came with my machine to find out how to tread the thing or put new thread on a bobbin.. I don't use it nearly enough..
ReplyDeletesome day I should get serious and sew a few things in a row...that should do it....
Decoration is like dessert... it's not necessary and you could pass it up, but who in their right mind would want to?
ReplyDeleteThe exhibition would have been indeed very moving, doubly so with regard to your personal experiences with the subject.
Gretel, if I had been in London, I would have wanted to get to that exhibit. Probably would also have wanted to take along some hankies.
ReplyDeleteDecoraction is like a delicious dessert, after one has had those other vitamin-filled components of the construction.
Both are good and get along well together.
Silk thread really does make a difference. xo
There can be no embellishment with construction; embellishment is joy made visual.
ReplyDeleteThe Home for Foundlings! - founded by Thomas Coram, I have a book about it here, it brought tears to my eyes to read. It was so well intended, but fraught with difficulties for the children.
ReplyDelete(Such nice friendly-looking hand-stitched geese, no wonder they'e flying away.)
Decoration every time, although I love the challenge of construction - it's all good!
ReplyDeleteI missed the exhibition but love the look of the book.
ReplyDeleteEmbellishment is always the best bit.
these are sooooo cute. I love them!
ReplyDelete