Quietly Content at Home

 My grandmother was studying embroidery, crochet lace and Irish lace with her church craft group when she passed away in 2011. I started decoding and working through her notes, unfinished pieces and vintage pattern books during the pandemic.  My December makes. 3mm perle cotton, 3mm hook. I've been making heirloom clothing, accessories and toys for a while now. I made a few lace pouches as Christmas gifts and am trying to decide on my favourite bookmark pattern. 2025 is the year I hope to expand into bridal.  Bookmarks will always be my favourite but there is something so special about seeing a piece of lace from an Edwardian pattern book come to life before your eyes. Wrapping something so special around your bridal bouquet then later around your baby's feet for their newborn photoshoot then her bridal bouquet and a grandchild... Memory, family and legacy all captured in those stitches. 

 My dear Nan has been gone 13 years this August and it still doesn't seem real. My husband and children came after she went to Heaven and I had to become the wife and mother I always wanted to be with just her memories rather than her direct guidance. I was given a bag of her embroidered linens by my Aunt on a recent visit. I spent this past weekend treating, soaking and washing them. It's no secret that I adore ironing and pressing. Pressing these lovely handkerchiefs, runners, placemats and doilies has brought me so much joy. Just a small sample of the treasures I have made a few embroidered pieces for my girls such as hoops with their names and flowers in them for their doors. I also embroider their names or initials on some of their things like bags. I made a Christmas embroidery hoop a few years ago from a kit and it's my favourite thing to put up each December. Seeing just how many of these beautiful pieces my grandmother produced inspires me to keep going. Every litt...