STITCH LINES...... Ramblings on life as a quilter, stitcher, traveler, photographer, gardener and lover of books, cats and fine chocolate....

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Progress, progress...

I AM making progress with my major project next door. I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel - finally! I can't wait til this is over and I can get back to some serious stitching!! Right now I am just too exhausted at the end of each day. I must say, I am sleeping well at night though... lol
One of my recent discoveries was a very heavy thick hardcover book titled "The Columbia Encyclopedia". It is a one volume encyclopedia, published in 1940. My mother's maiden name is embossed on the front cover - I was so surprised as I had never seen this book before - it has been sitting quietly on the end of a bookshelf, hidden behind the arm of a couch. I guess it has been there all my life (and then some!) but I had never pulled it out to see what it was. My mother was a registered nurse and she obviously scrimped and saved pennies for dear knows how long to afford this book, obviously purchased before she married.. I recall her telling me that once she graduated and was working fulltime, she made $6.00 a week. I can only imagine how long she had to save to acquire this book which I am sure she treasured.... I know times were pretty tough in the early 40's and I have nothing but pride and admiration for my Mum, knowing how hard she worked to afford the little she had, plus sending money home to her parents besides, to help out her 5 younger siblings. The younger generation today could sure take a lesson ....
I'm looking forward to taking a break tomorrow evening. I am registered for a Kumihimo beading class. Kumihimo is a method of braiding silk threads, developed in Japan. The literal translation means the coming together (kumi) of threads (himo). Kumihimo braids were originally used as ties, cordings and belts for clothing and closures for Samurai armour. The braids are beautiful and durable, having patterns in them formed by varying the sequence of thread movements while braiding. I will be making a Kumihimo beaded bracelet. I have my "homework" all done: my four strands of beads and pearls are strung and ready to go! I'm really looking forward to the class- hopefully I'll have a photo to show you tomorrow night of my finished bracelet.
Until then....Piece!
Linda
The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

1 comment:

GailM. said...

What a lovely book to find. I have a couple of books with my name engraved on them, and I treasure them too, so I'm sure I know just how your mother felt about her engraved book. Now you'll have to put it on your bookshelf.

That beading lesson sounds wonderful. I can't wait to see your bracelet.

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