A Quilt of Holes

I am not certain who the author of this beautiful poem is; though an American poet, Linda Winchell, wrote one very similar. I happened upon this poem a couple of years ago saving it for 'that' perfect time to weave a post around it. With the world spinning around and around on it's chaotic axis this last little while, today seemed to be that perfect day. I remember at the time being deeply moved by the touching thoughts and words. Even today, this poem brings tears to my eyes as I reflect upon the thoughts therein. Of late this poem has resonated deep within me. Over the last couple of months and with Easter only a matter of days away, I have pondered upon the patchwork pieces of the tapestry of my life. Those pieces being stomped on, becoming dirty, grubby and grimy; hanging by a thread. And, though I might put many a stitch here and there to try to mend and repair a gaping hole or a tiny tear, those pieces are never the same. They are never as they once were. Aah....the tapestry of my life. So, so very thankful for Jesus who takes my hardships; and makes my struggles His struggles, my fears His fears; my worries His worries. Oh....the list goes on and on and on, doesn't it. So, so thankful for Jesus' love. This poem reminds me over and over again of my desire to have Jesus shine through all the weaknesses and frailties; all the imperfections of my life. He makes something beautiful, something good out of all the tattered, threadbare patches of the tapestry of my every day. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for His love shining through all those messy, imperfectly pieced patches that is the quilt of my life.

As for the quilt dancing around each verse of the poem, it is my pastel hexagonal beauty which I dreamed up and stitched a little while after I finished my Bohemian Purple Rhapsody quilt. It was a quilt that was stitched long before I began my foray into 'The Land of Blog' and has never been showcased in it's entirety. As I am a gal who loves pastel loveliness, this quilt speaks ever-so-softly to my heart. It sings a soft and muted song, a mere whisper of a pianissimo. Oh, I adore bright and vivid colours but it is soft-hued pastels which make my heart smile just that little bit more deeply. Each hexie whispers lovely pastel vintage fabrics, french laces and the touch of my signature embellished lovelies, and of course a glove clasping a few stems of trailing flowers. I desired only a touch of pretty embellishments skipping across the hexies, as I wanted the beautiful vintage fabrics to shine. There is too, my signature basket of flowers, which I carefully snipped from doilies, arranging them into a floralicious arrangement of crochet loveliness. Each hexie is backed with a cream satin and on the back I stitched a two inch wide, satin ribbon covering those sometimes messy seams, all those little  stitching transgressons of mine. I am that gal who loves the back of a quilt to be pretty as well. This hexie pretty is queen size and once again, as with all my QAYG hexies pretties, it is completely hand stitched, which took many months to complete. 

My prayer is that we might all think upon the words of this beautiful poem. My prayer is that today, and during Eastertime the hope of the Easter message; the gift of God's love for you and me might shine brightly through the messiness of  the tapestry of this rather confused and chaotic world.

Until the next time................

Linking up to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.

Christmas is nigh

The Christmas spirit has once again (albeit a little late) come ever so lightly tapping on my bright pink, front door, but this year I have  opened the door just a little for the Christmas magic to slip in. In previous years I have been that gal who goes all out in sprinkling Christmas glimmer and sparkles throughout our li'l ol', humble abode. Alas, this year, my 'more is never enough' approach to decorating is not evidenced. Is this really me speaking? Me, the gal whose decorating wand crazily sprinkles Christmas dust to each room. Sadly, yes 'tis true. With all that has transpired this year I wanted to speckle just a little Christmas magic to our parlour. The evidential proof of my sprightliness to the subject of 'All things pertaining to the subject of Christmas Decorating, a la Kim Sharman Style', in previous years can be seen here and here......that is of course if you are so inclined to take a few hours minutes to have a bo peep.

But to the parlour.........

The Christmas tree is up and twinkling at me; and all whom should happen upon our abode and sit awhile in our parlour.

Of course, if perchance you should sit in my festive parlour, we would enjoy a cup of tea. You and I would partake in the gentle art of tea drinking; pouring tea from a pretty Royal Albert teapot and sipping from a pretty cup. Oh, I always take tea in such a grand fashion! Would I tell a fib?? Never!!

This year the thought did cross my mind (oh all right, the thought muddled around my brainpan for quite a while) to perhaps acquire a white tree which is a little smaller than my 9ft beauty; and doesn't require a crane to assemble and a ladder to clamber up and down for a weekend, in order to hang each decoration one by one. But no, with my daughter stating categorically that she would never speak to me again if I perchance sent this elegant 9 foot tree to dark and musty environs forevermore, where spiders seem to exist in abundant numbers, it is yet again standing ever so lovely in the corner of our parlour.

It is an elegant tree. It is a tree where family members' names hang, bringing to mind precious memories that stay forever in one's heart. It is a tree where angels abound. Over the years I have crafted all manner of sweet angels. I have a penchant for angels, for these heaven-sent beings. It is a tree filled with many, many hand stitched and embroidered pretties and lovely store bought baubles which have tickled my fancy.

With the tree decorated and sitting rather handsomely in the corner, the next task at hand is to gussy up the mantle.

I haven't bought Christmas decorations for a good while, but this year I wanted to cast an elegant, white look to my mantlescape. These sweet little ceramic houses found their way into my bag. A tea light is placed inside and they burn brightly giving a lovely festive ambiance. They are so very pretty.

This lovely cherubic light has been sitting in our cupboard for 10 years. Originally it was a present for our oldest daughter but as she lives in the USofA, I unearthed it and asked our friendly sparky to install it and....voila!! Originally it was sheathed in gold and as I am not a fan of an over-abundance of gold, I painted it white and then rubbed it back so that touches of gold shine through. I am in love with my cherubic being hovering above.

Christmas isn't Christmas without a few candles shining brightly. Just a 'few' candelabras that I have collected through the years. An old and rusty bird cage stand adds a lovely milieu to my chandelier.

My two babies. So many cherished Christmas memories revolve around my girls' delight and happiness on Christmas morning. It's wonderful, is it not, seeing the magic of Christmas through little childrens' eyes.

Mirrors abound in our home. I think at last count there are 30 of these looking glasses gracing corners of our home. No I am not one of the narcissistic creatures that is forever gazing at one's reflection, quite the contrary........I love how they reflect gorgeous light.

To cover the soot stained fireplace I placed a length of white voile to cover the bricks, a couple of mirrors and of course, candles. I love, love, LURVE the ballerina sashaying across the mirror!

My beautiful angels which is a receptacle for flowers. The roses are abloom in our garden at this time of year.

When decorating for Christmas I love to use things I already have. These angels normally sit above a doorway, looking kindly upon everyone who enters our home.

Are not these celestial beings, beautiful??

A parisian boot, ready to be filled with pretty surprises. I designed and stitched this (and the elf boot) a couple of Christmases ago. This pretty is for me.........

.....and this elf boot is for my good husband.

It's a wrap. The adornment of the parlour is finished. Of course the bedecking of my parlour seemed to take forever! Every year I have to psyche myself up to begin the begin of decorating for Christmas.....but....I am always happy with the result. I love the calming and restful atmosphere of my parlour; it is  a lovely place to sit a while and ponder the meaning of Christmas.

As I sit here in my parlour and reflect upon Christmas, I am reminded of the Christmas story, when Jesus was born that first Christmas morning so long ago, and the love and grace that surrounds it. I am reminded of the depths of God's love for me....amazing really. I am reminded that Jesus is the reason why we celebrate Christmas.

I know 'tis a wee bit early but........

May your Christmas be decorated with much love and precious memories as you gather around your family.

May there be moments when you ponder the Christmas story and the beauty therein.

Wishing each one of you the loveliest of Christmases.