Monday 16 December 2013

Return of the mojo

In my last post I was lamenting the fact that the old mojo had well and truly disappeared. Not even a hexagon could tempt me. A little thought crept in saying that maybe I needed to start something completely afresh and see if that works. Trying hard not to think about the million other projects gone off the boil this is what I started. It has lots of applique, even a few hexagons, well, a lot of hexagons, even some diamonds but, it seems to be working and I am thoroughly enjoying this so far.


This is the pattern. Mosaic by Irene Blanck. It came all the way from Australia and I might add within 4 days of ordering it. Well done to the postal services both ways.


Decorating the Christmas Tree was proving a bit tricky. This is tree number 2. Tree number one was bought, unwrapped and put in its pot and then I realised that there were a lot of needles on the floor. The poor thing looked decidedly unwell. Back it went and tree number two bought. It is compact and just fits the place. I know what you are thinking but what else would I decorate it with other than pink baubles. There are lots of green baubles too and I love the sparkly snowflakes. I stand the tree in my Portmeirion bread crock which has a Christmas Rose design conveniently on the front.Now to get organised with everything else.


Kate had a very special birthday last week, one with a 0 on the end and as a treat we had a day out to Bath. We had the most fabulous day and a big thank you to Kate's husband David who drove us there with great patience, six women in the car all giving different directions, a Sat Nav that didn't work properly and a car with some fancy gizmo's that would have been enough to drive him mad.

First stop was the Costume Museum. There were some fabulous costumes and we all had our personal favourites. I didn't take many photo's as I only had my phone and it does not take good photo's in the dark. This display is from the Civil War era. The thing that stood out for us that these women were tiny. Not very tall and with the smallest of waists. Real envy going on here I can tell you.


This made me smile. This Man's Coat was exquisitely embroidered but the mannequin it was draped on had on underpants that had the words Gems Ltd printed on them. Gives a new slant on the contents of underpants being called The Crown Jewels!


The costumes are housed in The Assembly Rooms in Bath and Jane Austen most certainly would have visited here for dancing and socialising. In one of the rooms were magnificent chandeliers. These are electric but you could still get the feel for what this room would have felt like with all these chandeliers.
From there we found a gorgeous tea room for lunch and afterwards made a visit to Country Threads patchwork shop where we had to purchase one or two things. It would have been rude not to. A great one to visit if you are ever in Bath.


A few weeks ago we had a trip to Sidmouth, East Devon. It was a lovely warm day and wandering around the back streets we came across this sign pointing to a craft shop but it was the name that attracted us. Maisie and cousin Daisy could be a double act.


It finished up with the most magnificent sunset.


Hope all your festive plans are coming together and you are finding a quiet moment for some stitching or are you frantically trying to finish things. That was part of my mojo that did not kick in. Maybe I shall start in January......

Happy Stitching.

Shirley.

20 comments:

  1. Looks like the new project was just what you needed to get your mojo back. I wouldn't have expected anything else than pink baubles and i burst out laughing about the Crown Jewels.

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  2. Gorgeous post Shirley and I'm so pleased you have found your mojo again. I love Irene's patterns - I look at them from time to time but haven't purchased any - yet!! Love how your tree sits in your bread crock and of course the pink baubles suit very well!! Interesting trips out that you have had and of course what a beautiful sunset!! Take care and happy stitching xox

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  3. So enjoyed hearing about your recent outings! I Love your new project. Yes, sometimes I think we Need to start a new one no matter how many are waiting in the queue. Your Christmas tree is beautifully set with all the pink and green baubles and snowflakes. Very festive!

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  4. Looks like you got your mojo back! That appliqué is captivating! Love your tree, too. With so many work deadlines looming, my creative mojo has been suffering a bit, too. Hope I can find such a wonderful project as yours to get mine back!

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  5. I love the pattern you've chosen to coax your mojo back. It's been on my want to do list for awhile. Hope you have a very special Christmas with Miss Maisie! (and the rest of your family, of course) :)

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  6. Glad your mojo is well. Love your new project. Your tree is gorgeous and I so enjoyed your post...love that chandelier.

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  7. Sounds like a lovely day out for the birthday. What a beautiful quilt you've started.

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  8. Fab new project! Looking forward to seeing the finished item! Keep that mojo close to you.

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  9. your new project is beautiful and is definitely one to inspire mojo!
    your applique is so perfect, I am in awe.
    Pink suits your tree perfectly.

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  10. Glad your mojo is back and well on the way to a new project... Love your new project.
    I enjoyed your trip with you, the costumes look amazing, "gems" brought a smile.
    Happy belated birthday to Kate.
    Julia ♥

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  11. What a beautiful pattern you have chosen, it is looking so gorgeous. I love Irene's quilt designs. We were admiring her work at a quilt show last year and she came up and introduced herself to us. Very pretty tree.

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  12. Lovely pattern. Crown jewels gave me a giggle.

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  13. Your new project is wonderful and I can see how it would attract you - I am sure all the other projects will sit quietly on the sideline waiting their turn!! Love the photos from Bath and your wonderful comments brought a smile. My Christmas "spirit" has been very conspicious by its absence however there is still a week to go and I never miss a deadline!!! Take care.

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  14. I just love Bath Shirley, we used to take the students to the costume museum every year when I was teaching, and we all loved it. Followed by a bit of retail therapy what more could you ask for!

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  15. Love the appliqué.......!
    I've got the 'want to start something else' thing too.
    And I may just give in........
    Love the costumes too.

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  16. Great post Shirley. Of course you have to have pink baubles! I love your new start, it's a beautiful quilt (I have seen the original) and I'm sure yours will look just as beautiful.
    It's amazing how tiny people were a hundred plus years ago, we saw that when we went to the V & A wedding dress exhibition.

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  17. A great project for mojo revival - love what you have done so far! It is a lovely pattern - with two of my favourite techniques - applique and EPP hexagons. What could be nicer than a trip to Bath - and to look back at English history. Thanks for letting us share the journey :)
    Hilda

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  18. What a wonderful project to work on and get you back to stitching :o) I must admit it has been hard sticking to anything with all the business of the holidays. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

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  19. Your new project looks lovely - an exciting new project! What a marvelous day trip!

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  20. Happy New Year to you, Shirley!

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