A Scottish Tale...

I've just had a hectic week, going back to my cookery course...assignment after assignment...Luckily before all this I was able to finish a little Needlecase Kit my Son and Partner brought back with them for me on a recent visit to Scotland. James and Danelle went on a trip with her Grandmother and Uncle to re-trace her family's heritage... 'Ancient Thistle Needlecase'

The thistle has for many centuries been the plant emblem of Scotland. According to one romantic legend, it was chosen as the Scottish emblem because a Viking soldier trod on a thistle and his cries of pain alerted the Scots to the approach of invaders and prevented defeat.

Mary, Queen of Scots, placed the thistle on the Great Seal of Scotland.

During her long years as a prisoner of Elizabeth I, she found comfort in embroidery and many of the pieces of work attributed to her, have thistles worked on them. In the nineteenth century Queen Victoria led a tremendous romantic revival of interest in Scotland and the thistle became firmly linked with all things Scottish, and has remained so to the present day!

I was also doubly lucky...and received this beautiful plush velvet 'Theatre Bag'...I think I might have to look into the history of Theatre Bags!!! I just so love this little Bag!!!


And...this little reproduction Medieval Thimble from Westair Reproductions Ltd...
In the Middle Ages, a metal Thimble was known as a 'thymel'. This reproduction of a ring-type thymel would have been used for sewing coarser materials where the side of the finger was used for pushing the needle through, rather than the finger-tip.
Similar thimbles can be traced back to Roman times and several were discovered in Herculaneum and can be dated at AD 79 when Vesuvius erupted.
After a quick surf around I found this interesting little site...Thimbles ... which discusses advantages of collecting thimbles and things to consider when starting a collection.
Purely visual now...a few beautiful images brought back home with them...various castles and scenes in Scotland. As I find out what they are I will post them up...do enjoy...

Wouldn't I like to be Keeper of the Books here!!!

A wee little cottage...

See the tiny little boat just in from the bottom left hand corner...A stunning image!!!

This one is at Stonehaven...south of Aberdeen on the North Sea...

The rest of the photos are just as grand!!!

And to think we considered them a weed when we had our small acres!!!

Thank You James and Danelle!!!

Share The Luv...

SHARE THE LUV...and very apt in this week of Romance...

Thank you to the gorgeous Millie for her most delightful blog...and for a daily dose of life with her MOTH...and for this lovely Award...perfect timing for Valentine's Day!!!

To share the LUV, follow these instructions...

1. Put the logo on your blog or post. (You can highlight the photo and text of this post and copy/paste wherever you need to).

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE.

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award.

I'm grateful for the heart & soul these lovely friends put into their Blogs. I have been enriched beyond measure by the beauty of their spirit.

So...in the Spirit of Valentine's Day I would like to share this Award with all my Friends on my side-bar, but especially to...

Andrea...Andrea...and Natima...all these lovelies live in Victoria...My Blessings and LUV to you all on this Valentine's Day!!!

Rich is not how much you have

or who you are

or even where you are going.

Rich is who you have beside you...

(From Dave Wood Calligraphy Art Gallery)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Faith...Hope...and Love

Many thank yous to you all dear Friends for the sincere heartfelt comments received on my last post...It truly is such a blessing knowing that you are all out there with your support, including all the many wonderful quilting/sewing sites...everybody is doing what they can...the Spirit is so generous at times like this...

Words do seem inadequate at a time like this...but in a way these can be comforting...

And now these three remain...Faith...Hope...Love. But the greatest of these is Love...

Corinthians 13,13

A Nation Mourns...

It is just after midnight...I have just seen the latest on the fires raging in Victoria...5000 homeless...130 precious people have lost their lives...31 fires...crews from New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory continue to bravely fight the flames...embers expected in some towns...devastating...My prayers and thoughts go out...Tears....

Beach Houses and a Seaside Quilt...

Here we are...February already, the holiday atmosphere has gently faded away and we all have well and truly started 2009!!! So...today I thought I would do a beach house theme... Here is a photo of a light house inspired quilt purchased in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales at Rick Rutherford's amazing Country Store - a shop showcasing different country looks...including a Coastal one!!!
I received for Christmas off my dear Friend, Georgina (no blog) this awesome book...she bought one for each of us...and I thought I'd show some of the images (and text) from it!!!

Australia...a country with endless stretches of beautiful coastline...whether your vision of the perfect beach house is a shack in a quiet coastal town...or a contemporary design... I just really could relate to the country/coastal style...

White and blue...and of course the mellow look of rustic timber...with a collection of kitchen scales...

Vintage Australian pine cupboard with pond yacht atop, draped fishing net enhances the theme!!!

A breezy corner...for stitching and reading...reflecting...

And for the folks in the Northern Hemisphere...a cozy fireplace

And how enticing is this...an old desk and pine chair!!!

Dining table made from an old door with verandah posts for legs...the sideboard on the wall is made from oregon with gum-tree limb railings...the unusual piece to the left of the sideboard is half an aircraft engine!!! I can imagine friends around this table...partaking in a meal...a coffee, much laughter...congenial conversation!!!

Thank you Georgina for this fabulous book!!!

We cannot write in water...we cannot carve in water. Water's nature is to flow and that is how we should treat life...emotion, negative or positive. Do not deny it but always let if flow through and then away...Anonymous

May you enjoy your kitchen table...sometimes the best place to be!!!