Wednesday 26 November 2008

Moomin-Stitches.

Well, I received a lovely email from Rima, so it arrived safe and sound before they took to the road.
So, here it is. My first attempt at Redwork. Not traditional I know. Red thread on a piece of softest wool blanket. I took my inspiration from Tove Jansson's Moomintroll. Somehow these little creatures just scuttled into my head and would not hear of leaving. Persistent I think was the word I used.

(Apologies for the dodgey quality of the photos. Cliona? Jeannie? We need to talk!)



I can safely say, I am a convert. At any given moment of non-activity I am rummaging in my enormous and bottomless bag for my little tin and away I go, needle creeping in and out, slowly making a new little world,



Last night Jay stopped and looked at me curled up on the red couch, stitching away on the next piece under the light of the lamp, a big blanket over my legs.
He said: I love the way you are sewing what is covering you!
Yes, there, at the end of the blanket, a big gaping square has been cut out!



And then I remembered. The five of us fighting over who got to sit on the couch with Mum, snuggled under whatever quilt she was working on. And the groan's and mutterings when we had to move it as she stitched her way around it...

13 comments:

AMI said...

Aw its so cute! I love the babies in the pram!

Paddy said...

I love the bemused grandad top right.

Acornmoon said...

Oh, it's lovely. I can see it as a rag book too.

Makes me think of the time I was sewing something on my lap as a child, only to find that I had stitched my sewing to my frock!

Fiona said...

Its gorgeous Ciara, well done. I can imagine all 5 of you cuddled under your Mums quilts. Its so nice how things come full circle and surprise us with little memories just when we least expect it.

Esti said...

but this is so cool!
I want to see more!!!!

thanks for your words in my blog. if you want to start a tag, there you go, feel tagged!!

:)

marta said...

wow Ciara!! i love it, and the way you present it is so cute! where can i buy one?

Rima Staines said...

Yes, we were absolutely delighted to receive this beautiful, artful, characterful gift :) Thank you thank you Ciara for your sweet thoughtfulness. I loved the Moomins and think you have included a lot of extra wonderfulness of your own to this fabulous scene! I just realised it was blanket actually .. how hilarious that you have a square hole in yours now!!
Really chuffed to receive this I was. Thank you again and hoorah for this new red stitchery adventure of yours :) I will attempt to take a few good pics and do blog honour to your creation when we eventually get going!
Lots of love xxx

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

what a treat for lucky Rima! You have certainly discovered a new talent. This is wonderful!

Deirdre said...

Ciara that is a gorgeous little piece of redwork, keep at it. It's amazing how you can find time for something you are passionate about.

Deborah said...

Ciara, that is absolutely beautiful...and SO you! Is there no end to your talents??Would adore a piece for the barn!!!! xxx deb
p.s. do you want me to keep an eye out for woolen blankets??

Ciara Brehony said...

Thanks so much everyone for your lovely comments! I thought my head was bursting with ideas before...! And I am amazed at how I'm finding time to do it, although there are a number of other commitments that are tugging at my hem, so expect a few other things here, finished in record time so I can get beck to the next piece I'm working on!

Debs, blankets would be marvelous! There was loads when we moved in here but I have no idea where they've got to. I think a peek in the attic might be on the cards...

Cliona O'Flaherty said...

Dear Jim can you please fix it for me to be Ciara Brehony's Kris Kindle!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your needlework. Do you sell any of it?

By the way, there is a sewing machine story here; it is different from your own posts, but it might be of some interest to you. --> http://neverbeenlivedbefore.blogspot.com/

Thanks again for a glimpse of your beautiful work.