birdcages and ladybirds
We had a powercut on Sunday night and I spent most of the time staring into the fireplace, mesmerised by the flickering light. When it was time for the children to go to bed, we lined candles up along their rocking horse so they could see the pictures in their storybook. It's a cliche of course, but it really is amazing how much we rely on electricity. I tried to do some knitting but the wool was tangled and I couldn't see well enough to sort it out. It made me wonder how women in the past managed their knitting, sewing and embroidery by candlelight- because surely night-time was mainly when they did this kind of work? I have even more respect for our crafting ancestors now...
This package arrived today, all the way from BC, Canada, as part of a little swap I did with new blogger Nomayne. She makes and sells sweet little needlecord bonnets for small girls, and she sent one for K in return for a pair of baby shoes for her youngest daughter. She was kind enough to also send a beautiful hand-embroidered placemat, a copy of Canadian House and Home and some buttons and velvet ribbon... such treats! Thank you, Nomayne.
Keira will not take the bonnet off:
It's lined in a pink cotton print, and features little dragonfly embroidery on the brim and this at the nape of the neck:
And also arriving in our letterbox over the weekend (how lucky am I?)...
Some great Japanese linen/cotton I bought from Matatabi to make some baby shoes (I think...)
...and this amazing print from Aunty Cookie. I don't know if I can cut into it so it might end up in a frame on the wall.
Fabric to die for and that little bonnet is the cutest thing ever! Very Little House on the Prairie!
We have a lot of powercuts here don't we? I have an under the sink cupboard stocked up with candles and matches just in case.
I often wonder about those women who came before us and how they managed, especially the pioneer women. People to look up to I think.
Posted by: Alison | June 12, 2007 at 12:33 PM
that bonnet is too much! i can't stand it! and the fabric is amazing ! our reliance on electricity just reassures me that the wome in pre elctric days were complete studs!
Posted by: heidi | June 12, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Accck! The bonnet photos! GIRL PANGS! GIRL PANGS!
Sooooooooo darling I think I'm going to faint.
x Helen
Posted by: Helen | June 12, 2007 at 01:49 PM
everything is lovely - i love the embroidery on the bonnet - and thanks for the link to get yummy japanese fabric! :)
Posted by: kirsten | June 12, 2007 at 01:53 PM
well, you know all the crafty bits are lovely but the very best thing about this post has to be the back of that little, soft neck. I'm very sweet for little fingers, napes, and necks.
But truly I do like the bird cage fabric very much.
I hope you are good my sweet Melissa.
xxxxx
Posted by: rachael | June 12, 2007 at 02:24 PM
Keira looks outrageously gorgeous in that little bonnet!
Posted by: Megan | June 12, 2007 at 02:40 PM
The differences, for the blackout here are there's no pretty fireplace to stare into & I've to lie on the tiled floors to keep cool. How unromantic is that? :-)
Sweet Keira with the sweet bonnet. and yummy fabric! :-)
Posted by: Fiona | June 12, 2007 at 04:14 PM
Awww, how cute does K look in that bonnet! There is a little girl in my placement who remeinds me SO much of Keira. She's nearly identical looking to K and has a similar personality- crazy.
That chineese fabric is so sweet! The strawberry one takes me back to the dress mum made for me when i was little. I think she made cudly's for zanda and i out of the same fabric too. Do u rememeber?
Posted by: Sarah | June 12, 2007 at 04:55 PM
I love the bonnet, so sweet. Also think the little red riding fabric if fantastic, would be lovely as baby shoes if you can bear to cut into it!
Posted by: Jessicah | June 12, 2007 at 05:16 PM
Gorgeous bonnet - very sweet. Our power went for 2 seconds last night and I freaked, it does make you appreciate it.
Posted by: Kate | June 12, 2007 at 09:55 PM
The bonnet and the fabrics are so lovely!!
Posted by: Mirre | June 12, 2007 at 11:57 PM
Ah, powercuts. I love them! Last time we had one in Brighton I went and hid in my room with candles while the boys (in my old share house) stood downstairs swearing about how bad it was for the servers to be turned off unexpectedly like that. Boring boys.
The bonnet and fabrics are wonderful, wonderful.
Posted by: alice | June 13, 2007 at 12:35 AM
I always had fun when the lights went out as a kid..... playing with a flashlight, getting to light candles........ playing hide and seek with my sisters and brother!
It's nice to be reminded of nice times like those!
Posted by: Judi | June 13, 2007 at 01:01 AM
That bonnet is just so sweet - your little peach looks sooo cute in it (almost like a little Amish girl).
Posted by: Mary @andsewtosleep | June 13, 2007 at 08:43 AM
What adorable photographs of Keira.
Posted by: carolyn | June 13, 2007 at 10:04 AM
In the past women who sewed/lacemade etc would have had a big glass globe which was placed in front of the light source and amplified the candle or lamplight. And sadly, many women who had to earn a pittance earning a living this way, (Victorian times) lost their good vision. Lacemaking especially. We are so lucky!
Posted by: PG | June 14, 2007 at 07:07 AM
Those fabrics are amazing! I love that bonnet too:)
Posted by: Chara Michele | June 14, 2007 at 08:00 AM
As I've learned more about knitting, I'm amazed at the creativity it took those many years ago to figure out how to develop techniques and patterns. And we think we're so clever now. :)
Posted by: the secret knitter | June 14, 2007 at 09:51 AM
Ah! so nice to get gifts from far away:)
Everything so beautiful1
Z
Posted by: Zelia | June 20, 2007 at 08:56 AM
that bonnet is so perfect for k... what a lovely piece and a wonderful package! the embroidery is such a good touch.
and your new fabrics are very cute!
xo
Posted by: amisha | July 02, 2007 at 10:52 PM