Summer

Tina Francis Tapestry blog update has inspired me to update my blog.

The going is tough at the moment coming up the the anniversary of my husband, Tom's, death on 18th June and with the weather now the same as when I was visiting the hospital this time last year.

I have been catching up with the Travelling Books for Birmingham Embroiderers' Guild and plan to get my home book up to date this week as I am off work. Travelling books is interesting- I've done 2 pieces based on lichen, Coco Chanel's little black dress, a piece based on Ironbridge and Coalbrookdale and a piece inspired by Maori tattoos ( the owner of the book went to New Zealand last year). Now I have another book to be inspired by for next month. I now work on 2 pieces at the same time- one for the home book and one for the travelling book. Pieces are A5 size max, so manageable to work with.

Here are some photos from Mum and Dad's garden.

Through Our Hands have an exhibition at Bilston craft Gallery. I particularly liked the pogaji patchwork with ink leaking down it and Laura Kemshall's quilt that has text 'Will thy restless heart return to mine?' running through it. It spoke to me strongly of memory and loss.

Finally, there is a fascinating building over the road from Bilston Craft Gallery with 'Science and Arts' over the windows and portrait roundels. Unfortunately it is increasingly derelict and now dangerous. There are 3 portrait roundels on the side walls. Here is one..