New things, old things, shiny things…

Hello friends. Now I’m not going to pretend for a minute that I went to hospital just so I could get flowers. No , I went to hospital to get a shiny new hip (well, I’m not actually sure if it’s shiny, but it’s definitely new, and it’s definitely a hip). The flowers from my dear BFF are a nice added bonus!

I was born with a left hip deformity which has gradually got worse, to the point where I was more shuffling than walking (painfully). Happily I was referred for a full hip replacement in Feb of last year when I was still pretty mobile. The op was six weeks ago, and while I’m on crutches (and still shuffling) it is improving, whoop.

In a rare instance of life imitating art, my surgeon really is a “Mcdreamy”, I however, was not looking quite so glam on the ward…

Three nights in Mercy and I managed to read three books , yay! New hip, gorgeous and exceedingly competent surgeon, delightful nurses, good food (really, you ring anytime between 7am & 7pm and order off the menu, it’s like room service) and nothing to pay but parking, gotta love the Public health service 🙂

Back home, and in between naps, rehab exercises and swearing at my crutches I’ve had time to do some gentle stitching, which has been rather lovely.

First up was a wee kit my sister found in her storage unit, I’ve not done crewel work before so this was new. I of course didn’t read the instructions properly and ended up using too much of the dark green wool, the leaf on the right is actually done using embroidery thread mixed with the bit of the green wool I had left, I think it works pretty well? I do love the raspberries, French knots are my absolute fav stitch.

My next project was rather more involved. This sampler is from a kit by Rebecca at Textile Tours of Paris, isn’t it gorgeous. The kit is the Samplers of Seduction, and includes all the materials for stitching, and hours of video tutorials. Rebecca trained in Paris and has worked at some of the famous Haute Couture houses, she is also a wonderful teacher. I found the whole process incredibly relaxing but informative , giving me confidence for more stitching adventures!

Rebecca has a new embroidery course coming out this year which I will definitely be signing up to, in the meantime I just have to dream about getting back to Paris & doing a tour. Sign up for her newsletter for more great tips and dream of Paris too…

My next project (in between marathon Murder She Write & Midsummer Murder marathons obviously…) was a kit from Australia based Wattle and Loom . I first saw these on Instagram and was intrigued. The kit includes the pattern, backing fabric and lots of smaller pieces including pretty Liberty prints for cutting and stitching down. I have been keen to try this method using my own (vast!) collection of scraps but it was great to see how it was put together and the pattern created. I will frame this one for our bedroom.

So what else has been occurring at the Plum Towers Rehab Ward?

I actually made these before I went into Hospital, an experiment with some fabric scraps and hand and machine embroidery. I adore hydrangeas so it was fun to play around with inspiration from my garden , I hope to make more. The cute bud vase is by Deborah Sweeny from Sweet Acorns in Wellington (excellent speedy delivery and packaging too)

Speaking of flowers, this gorgeous bunch were from Julie and her amazing garden, check out her dahlias (and some excellent sewing too!) The vase , which my husband is not convinced about , is from Bolt of Cloth in Christchurch. I love it 🙂

Highly recommend this BEAUTIFUL book by New Zealand textile artist Fleur Woods, very inspiring . I’d love to do one of her workshops, but in the meantime the book is choc full of gorgeous images and inspiration, I’m obsessed with the pink and green/aqua on the cover. Go on, treat yourself .

Speaking of books, my hospital reading list :

A Death in the Parish by Rev Richard Coles, this is the second in the Daniel Clement mystery series, very gentle but absorbing read with a good mystery. I really enjoyed the first one Murder before Evensong

The Queen of Poisons by Robert Thorogood, I’m absolutely loving this series, from the man who brought us the fab Death in Paradise TV show no less. This is the third in the series, I have read & loved them all. I even visited Marlow on hols last year, and of course went to the bookshop mentioned in the book! Yes that is me grinning like an idiot…

The Maid by Nita Prose , this book is a delight, Molly is a clever determined young woman and I adored her. Read and enjoy

This is my post hospital treat, I have enjoyed so many of Bettany Hughes‘ TV shows I knew I would enjoy her writing. Its a treat, she is so knowledgeable but relaxed and entertaining at the same time. If you’ve ever been even vaguely interested in the Seven Wonders you will enjoy this one.

I think that’s it from me, it’s feeling very autumnal here in Auckland all of a sudden, the clocks change in a couple of weeks so I shall spend that time trying to remember how to change the clock on the oven, wish me luck…

Kristina x