The needle... the thread... the table... the light...
The window grows dim... soon will be night...
The window grows dim... soon will be night...
The old lace tablecloth is threadbare and worn.. in dire need of mending... I am drawn to work on it so I can use a surprise I received a day ago in my mailbox... from Morna at Bittersweet. I was the very lucky winner of her handmade treasure... I was so delighted!!
Thank-you so much Morna!!
She calls it a "Make-Do" Pincushion.... I call it Beautiful!
It sits there on its little glass pedestal... presenting itself to me, quietly and patiently, asking to hold my needle...
It makes the mending task heartfelt... It makes me smile... and happy... and think of its creator...
...scattered buttons of old and colored pins adorn it...
...created from wool, a renewable resource... recycled from clothing no longer in use...
... care and forethought envelope it...
It is all things I love...
...subtle muted colors... functional beauty... graceful... created by an artist's hands finding new life from objects put aside...
..... a beautiful, unexpected pleasure...
Who would think something so simple as a pincushion could capture all of this........
.
41 comments:
Oh hello, Gwen. I missed you a ton. And to see Morna's pincushion there tucked into your sewing nook, after seeing it at her blog, along with your sweet heartfelt words here, blesses me so much. How rich we are to make these connections with strangers, who become friends.
The photos are great, especially the top one. The light, the window, the shells, wood table, lace, a gift of such beauty from Morna, and that view of the bay. Leave it to you.
magnificently written, a needle's home... evokes so much.
what old books are those, nearby?
My goodness, Gwen! Your thank you is more of a gift to me than I can say. Such beautiful appreciation makes me very happy to know that little heartfelt make-do now lives with you. Thank you so much for this beautiful posting in your wonderful blog. :-)
What a beautiful gift!
A wonderful home for a needle and a beautiful view for a needle too. My needles are so jealous!
Where have you been? I started to worry.
Beautiful post, as usual.
I really love the pincushion, it's really nice. Sweet how something so practical can look so beautiful.
How delightful!
Hi Ruth!!! so glad to find a few minutes to respond.. I am missing traveling around to see my blog friends... I really don't know where all the time disappears so quickly.. faster and faster every day.. I think I am going to have to make an appointment with myself...
I am so glad to see your voice here!!! You are so kind...
mansuetude,
you noticed those old worn books... I love old books!! they seemed so much more earnest.. These ones I use to make my lamp taller...
One of them is really funny and some manners of speech used are what we would call "not politically correct" now. From the book "Peck's Bad Boy and His Pa" and Compendium of Fun... profusely Illustrated"... yes that long spiel was the title written on the cover... Published in 1883...
the other is "Cassell's New Popular Educator"... so interesting.. it has everything you would want to learn in it... written out in lessons, little bits and pieces as in daily lessons.. just enough to read and still remember.. it's quite old.. can't find a date but a little name stamped inside the front cover say "Gerry's Tobacco Store"....
Morna, I just LOVE IT!!!
It is now my one and only... pincushion!!!
But be assured I won't let it off easy.. I'll find lots of jobs to pin on it...
You are so right Sharon.. just beautiful...
Oh Thanks Anet, Your needles can stay there if you are ever in town.. Mine would love their company!!
Oh MamaShift, so glad to see you here.. Hope everything is well with you... have you traveled back across the ocean yet?...
I have so much catching up to do...
Guillaume,, one of my favourite things are functional beauty... You have good taste!
Thanks Angela...
Ahh, seems i have been getting my "daily lessons" from outside a book these days, though i surely have huge gaps in me!
A book about not so politically correct phrases might be a historical document about man and his relationship to other men; a treasure to keep... but i think Gerry's Tobacco Store stamp is the most interesting; who is Gerry, and where was his little store, did his wife give school lessons there to itchy to run off little children, or to Gerry?
another treat to feed the imagination! Thanks. Peace and elves to you.
You know you're really living when a beautiful little pin cushion is a highlight. Thanks for letting us live a little with you!
Beautiful indeed....as are your photographs. I love all the bits of interest. The books, the lace cloth and the treasures on the window sill.
I love this post. and the pin cushion is just lovely. You made me feel a quiet silence with your pictures and words. A nice break from the crazy fall season.
Leanne
A pincushion! It's beautiful - and makes me think that I must make myself one too. I am fed up with pins in little plastic tubs, or stuffed into folds of fabric, which get brushed onto the floor. Is that really the view from your window ? It looks so beautifully calm and peaceful.
mansuetude... I am always learning lessons from you...
Don, simplicity and beauty.. it was a pleasure to share this...
Robyn, nature shares so much to be appreciated, don't you think?
Paintergirl.. I know what you mean about the crazy fall season... somewhat draining at times... A balance is so necessary.
Danielle, Didn't Morna make a sweet little beauty?
sunshine, always
the warm sunshine...
I wish we had some today... only cold blowing snow.. my fingers are so cold up here in the studio...
please send some up... special request...
How, oh how, do you manage to work with that sublime view out your window. I fear I would sit and stare all the day long.
Lovely post.
ha, i almost wrote i hope it was snowing out your beautiful window...
the snow is like little lanterns of light, full of a distilled, alchemized sunlight... eat some. :)
Maybe that's why the dogs are always in such good spirits... when they see snow they eat it... No one had to tell them either...
You know I may have to convince my mind about the distilled alchemized sunlight.. sounds so special it must be true... just drift off into make believe land... now you have me mulling..
little sparkling crystals...
crystals are suppose to have healing qualities after all.. right? if we believe..
...didn't Peter Pan say something about if you believe it will be true... ahhh, Barrie was a wise one..
Now where is my bowl and spoon?
Pamela, I fear sometimes it is a challenge!!
At times I feel I should pull the drapes but I can't shut out a friend... even a teasing friend...
a bowl & a spoon...?
are you intending to eat a bowl of snow or a bowl of
distilled alchemized sunlight?
i really believe the snow is full of light, all the light it stole while falling, its in there...
you really do you dislike the snow? Mr Beagle Bunny loves to tunnel his little nose into it, throw it in the air...
where do the possums go in the cold night, i have one here...
Just believing, made it happen.. bright sunshine all around... light magnified by the snow...
I don't dislike snow .. just the cold... too bad we couldn't have snow and it still be warm.. or warm snow...
On Mountaintops they do .. but I'm not on a mountain top... so I will just have to bundle up , stay warm and wish for sunny days..
we have no possums, much to my sons dismay and mine too.. but we do have raccoons, skunks and foxes...
yes, i have a possum who visits almost nightly, drives the dog nuts, but he's so cute, with little fingers and toes that work "almost" like a pink skinned baby hand under the fur ... misfits from the growing city.
sunshine, all to you...
I would LOVE to see one...
It's just the most soulful pin cushion I have ever seen!!! You were certainly meant to have it Gwen...it looks like it has been sitting by your window forever.
Loved this great post and and your comments are once again fun to read!!!
Thank you Jo, It was a wonderful surprise..
Seems no matter how old I become.. a surprise makes me feel like a child again...
Beautiful post, great gift and I enjoyed reading it and seeing the photos!
Oh, I love beauty in the commonplace. Simplicity. Form. Ahhh. And that is one nice pincushion too. Nice colors.
And, as always, your VIEW! :) This is the first place I have lived in many years that has no view but other homes...not even trees (yet). I feel entombed. Can't wait for a view again!
Oh Thanks Sandy, I always love when you visit...
Hi Denise, This crazy view can be very distracting.. at least at this time you have those fabulous boys to direct all your attention on.. and you do such a wonderful job...
Oh, what a beautiful post, your writing and your photographs. The desk, the lace, and the "home to the needle." Gwen your words are like music. Thank you. Roxanne
Roxanne your gentle encouraging nature is very welcome.. You must be a wonderful teacher...
What a beautiful post. I echo your sentiments regarding the pincushion, handcrafted, repurposed materials, new life to old things...so wonderful and special.
Oh, and the view from your window..that blue is my favourite colour.
Oh Asti, you are so sweet... i love that beautiful things can be imagined and made from things people threw away... it is like a challenge to see how long we can keep precious materials in circulation still be useful... Wonderful hearing from a like mind....
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