17.4.12

Bread and Linen



I daresay some people might find this scrap of card with it's dingy squares rather dull - even ugly. My late foster mother, never noted for her imagination, would have put it straight in the bin. But I love it and when I saw that Elizabeth Baer herself was offering it up on her gorgeous textiles blog, I put my hand up first and bagsied it. How old is it? Elizabeth, who is an expert in these things, describes it as a sample card of linen tapes, possibly from a drapery shop. I'd hazard a guess and say it is probably pre-second world war, if not pre-first world war.




To me it is beautiful, because despite it's humble appearance, it has survived. Keep your fancy toile de jouy - imagine if this card could talk. Elizabeth has an amazing stock of French linens, textiles and haberdashery - she also organises specialist textile fairs, which are by invitation only, so anyone interested should hop over to her website for contact details or subscribe to her blog, as I do - which is why I spotted the little card so quickly. Thank you very much to Elizabeth - it will be treasured and eventually passed on to other safe hands.



Sometimes I am so involved with my work that I am oblivious to anything, Even knocks on the door from kind people bringing round homemade bread and marmalade. Andy returned from work that evening and asked why we had a loaf of bread hanging from the door handle; I eventually found out who the generous person was, but felt terrible at having missed them. The spectacular hyacinths are down to Andy, who has discovered a previously unsuspected knack for garden pots and flowers. Which is good, as my time is becoming even more squeezed. Still manage to get out sometimes though - the Cotswolds in spring are not to be missed -




I had a wonderful demo day last Saturday at the Winds of Change gallery, with lots of people milling about and so many interesting people and artists that it needs a blogpost all of it's own. I think there is one space left for my Winchcombe wool workshop. We'll be making a sheep from proper Cotswold Lion fleece and one or two other British fleeces. I also have another workshop at the Fibreworks in Chipping Norton, on May 26th. One space is already taken and as usual, there are limited spaces because I can't give my full attention to too many lovely people. As we made little birds last time it will be something different, and I hope by then I will have some of my first needle felting kits for sale.

11 comments:

Soozcat said...

Looks as though you have both bread and hyacinths to feed the soul. No doubt Muslih-un-Din Sadi would be pleased.

And those linen tapes are indeed beautiful -- not necessarily because of how they look, but what they represent as a piece of history not long past.

Rowan said...

I wish people would leave homemade bread and marmalade on my doorstep!
Your little card of linen tapes has such a lot of history with it, how nice that it has found someone to love and appreciate it.

Rowan said...

I wish people would leave homemade bread and marmalade on my doorstep!
Your little card of linen tapes has such a lot of history with it, how nice that it has found someone to love and appreciate it.

Su said...

I think its beautiful - what tales it would tell if it could talk!

Caroline B said...

Fascinating little piece of history - I hope you will put it on display where it can be seen.

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

You are SO busy !!! I still keep "tabs" on you :) and I appreciate your stopping by ... oh I WISH I could take one of your classes. (())

Lin said...

How sweet to have someone leave homemade bread at your door!!

Keep an eye on that chicken--I think he's eyeing the marmalade.

ted and bunny said...

can't think of a btter name for a post than Bread and Linen!
enjoy both
x

Frances said...

I also have an interest in vintage textiles, and can see why you are so glad to now have that linen sample card. I will have to start making some visits over to the lovely lady's site.

Sure does look like Andy's hyacinth is putting on a great show! It's so much fun to watch as those blossoms open up and release that exquisite scent.

Homemade bread, marmalade...treats indeed!

It's grand to hear that you are busy, and I expect that you will be even busier as this year unfolds. (I might use the blooming hyacinth as a metaphor.)

xo

Anne said...

Perhaps I should put a little note on my door saying jam please, I don't like marmalade!!
I'm envious of your little card of linen - do you think needlewomen in the future wil ooh and aah over our fabrics!!??

School on the Heath said...

Hans Anderson would have woven a charming little fairy tale from the warp and woof,hand stitching and text
of that little fragment of bygone
industry and craft.

Best wishes for all your lovely endeavors.