Tapestry Guild of Victoria show

Last week I attended the Tapestry Guild annual show, which was fantastic as always. I've posted 10 photos on my 'Needlecraft Shows' blog, but for some reason, I can't get the rest of my photos on there. I'll try again in a few days, but in the meantime, do have a look at some of the best cross stitch and needlepoint I've ever seen.

Not much sewing going on here.

I've lost my mojo at the moment. My hands ache almost all the time, and stitching gets harder and slower. As does typing on the computer. I've taken up Tai Chi with a friend, as it is said to be good for people with arthritis, although I don't know if it will help my hands. The other thing that isn't helping is my old computer and ME operating system. I'm finding that I can't open up more and more websites, including some of my favourite blogs, because their upmarket systems don't recognise mine any more. So, for anyone on my sidebar here who thinks I have deserted them, I haven't. I see a bit of your blogs, then my pc just freezes, and I can't leave comments. I guess the day is coming when I'll have to give in and upgrade my computer. Sigh....So lately I've been spending more time reading than stitching or blogging. I've done a bit on the Sailing Ship commission, as that is only back stitch, and I've got it on a frame, so it isn't so hard on my hands.
We spent a couple of days in Sydney last week, and Ken's cousin looked after our house, so I stitched up a fridge magnet to say 'thank you'. Cousin doesn't tell anybody her age, so I'm hoping she'll appreciate the sentiments here!

Embroidered Doyley holder

I've mentioned my blog friend Sylvia here before. She collects Royal memorabilia, and I've added a few small pieces to her collection recently, for which she swaps some of her embroidered items. The Coronation hair pins I mentioned in the previous post attracted Sylvia's attention, and we arranged a swap. I think I got the better bargain, and she thinks she does, so it was another very satisfactory exchange. She sent me this gorgeous embroidered "Doyley" holder:

L'ucello's in Melbourne.

l'ucello is a vintage haberdashery store in Melbourne's CBD - I wrote a post about it earlier this year, although I hadn't been there myself. But last week on a visit to town with a friend, we made a quick detour there, and it was very worthwhile! I didn't have my camera with me, but I found another blog that has photos of l'ucello's interior, so go here for a peep. I'm sure any of you in Melbourne reading this, will dive in there as soon as you get the chance! I purchased a few little goodies in our quick visit:
A card with hairpins dating back to the Queen's coronation in 1953, and a section of very old woven band of fabric, possibly dating back to WW1. Kim at l'ucello said she intended to check this out at either the Shrine or Anzac House.
Half a metre of this darling fabric! My friend Julie asked what I was going to do with it. Julie is not a craft person, so she doesn't understand STASH!
****Note to Sylvia**** If you are interested in those hairpins, let me know!

Additions to the linen collection!

One of my old friends who sells on eBay, contacted me last week to tell me she had a couple of boxes of linens from estate auctions, and invited me to drop by for a look. I said I wasn't buying any more, but I'd love to look...I came home with some lovely goodies to think about, and have decided that my collection will be enhanced with these items:
Square centrepiece with darling crocheted edge of teacups and teapots.
I already have two of these scotty dog doilies, but done in different stitching.
I also have this peacock cloth in the same design, but a different colour scheme. Unfortunately this cloth is rather badly damaged around the edge, so it might end up cut up for a patchwork project.
Beautiful little cloth stitched in variegated thread, Lagertera design...I think.
I try to avoid adding whitework to my collection, as it opens up a whole new parameter in my range, but would you refuse this piece? Absolutely stunning pulled/drawn thread work.
This cloth is unspectacular to a layperson, but it is so perfectly embroidered, I cannot tell the difference between the back and front.
This is one of a pair of hand or tea towels, also in a Lagertera style design. At first I thought the fabric was huckabuck, but it is actually 14 ct. Aida.
I don't usually buy other people's cross stitched work, but this example is done on linen, and so finely worked, that I decided to include it.