In the Garden

Those of you who've been reading these posts for some time know that one of my favourite places in which to work is my garden.  Every spring I put up my "outdoor studio" and try to work there as much as possible. This means hand-work.  I suppose I could -- because there are plugs on the back of my house -- but I've never taken my sewing machine outdoors.  Instead, I prefer to sit on a bench under my trees and stitch.

I love to watch the changing flora and fauna over the months from spring to high summer.  In the past few days, the mornings have dawn clear, sunny -- and cooler, with a sharper edge to them than last week, or all through July.  Fall is fast approaching; the days are shorter and there is less and less time to work outside.  Each day is a treasure, and brings new beauty to behold and enjoy.

A few months ago, my friend M, who was moving, blessed me with a gift -- the embroidery frame and floor stand that had belonged to his late wife, K.  I never met her, but I have seen her work, and it's exquisite.  I was honoured to receive his gift but till yesterday, I hadn't even open the box in which it sat in my sewing studio.  

A pair of long-time friends are celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary in 2013, and even before M's gift, I'd determined to embroider a special sampler for them to mark the occasion.  Yesterday I decided it was time to make a start on the sampler, and the perfect frame was the floor-standing one, which I could use outside.  In the box I found all sorts of nuts and bolts and -- not surprisingly! -- no instructions.  I had to go by the picture drawn on the outside of the box, but I managed to get it together and functioning.  I need to use a higher seat than my bench to be able to stitch comfortably, but that's not a problem.  And one of the feet falls off when I carry the frame in and out of the house...but that's not a problem either.  I'll find a new bolt with which to attach it.  All that matters is that the frame has been set up, and during the last of these summer days I can stitch away at the sampler in my favourite place.

K's stand; new project