I am Lily - stitcher and part time bookseller. Mother to my gorgeous girl, Abigail and wife to Julian. I make time each day to let my imagination potter and add quirky prettiness and handmade comfort to our home and lives. You can email me at lily(at)blockaday(dot)com
comfort stitching
It is well documented that sitting in a cosy armchair, in your flannel jammies doing some handstitching with your muma and dada sitting across from you with their books, and your puppies snoozing lazily on the sofa is the best medicine for the angst that can accompany a day at high school.
Oh my sweet Abby - she does struggle sometimes with the social minefield that is a school of girls - I would once have said teenage girls, but now know that it starts WAY earlier than that. And my Abby, she’s a quiet, shy soul. When she settles into her niche, she is cheerful, witty and well-loved. Until she finds that spot, she is a wee bit fragile, easily buffeted, nervous in new social situations. And today was one of those days.
As per our new routine, Abby hops off the train from school, walks up the street to say hello to us in the bookstore, has a browse to see what new titles have arrived, drops into Aviv’s (the most awesome bakery) next door for afternoon tea, then heads home. Today, there were a few tears so I suggested as a soothing balm for a morning’s awkwardness, she design and stitch a new outfit for Dollie. I arrived home shortly after to find a very cheerful, very relaxed, very satisfied girl.
My girl creates such prettiness with her needle and felt - I am in awe of the wonderful designs she comes up with. I’m especially pleased that when our world needs some righting, we have learnt to turn to soul nourishing things - a family game, stitching, reading, cooking together, re-building bikes, snuggling up on the sofa, cuddling the doggles.
And this dear little creature is what I found nestled into my pillow on the morning of my birthday last week - my heart sang.
9 March, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Ahhhh. I can feel the breathing calm and the peace settle in. I need to get more needles and materials into the hands of my girl so we are prepared for such days. AND happy belated birthday!!!!
9 March, 2010 at 12:57 pm
The perfect antidote, to be sure. Your daughter sounds like a lovely girl…hmmmmmmm, could be because she has YOU as a mum? Jr. HS age girls are the most difficult - my determination after being a teacher for 102 years. Is that about her age? ~karen
9 March, 2010 at 3:31 pm
I glad that she has found creating calms her soul. What a nice little friend to find nestled into your pillow for your birthday. Happy Birthday. May you have a great year.
9 March, 2010 at 4:42 pm
what a wonderful mom she has to direct her to something that feeds her confidence in herself - and what a wonderful girl to acknowledge the love received. I only have doggies so have never had to deal with the unkindness that almost certainly is a given in a group of girls of a certain age. Hope she finds her niche soon (for there are SURELY some lucky girls/boys? out there that will cherish her friendship once found)!
10 March, 2010 at 11:08 pm
oh lily…i just love the image of you all unwinding and reading and crafting together. i could just feel everything coming back into alignment.
22 March, 2010 at 10:19 am
I glad that she has found creating calms her soul.