Hot Wired (!!)

Larry and I are feeling very lazy snuggled in the warmth while it is wet and windy outside with an expected max of 12C. So while he is stitching his tapestry I decided it was time for a weekly post. "What shall I call this post?" I asked him...."Hot Wired" was his answer, "why?" I replied..."because of the vision I have of you having a wire in your heart - waiting to be hot wired like when they start a car"!! Well there you go.......so yes I did have a wire sitting in the heart (via the groin) in case my ticker decided to play up and even more tubes sitting in my heart (via the wrist)......and it is not something I want to go through again! Lying on a cold slab trembling for one and half hours is no fun! I was terrified and excuse the language but the specialist said to me he would be "scared shitless" if it was him! Was that reassuring?? The worst part of it all was being wide awake through the entire procedure - no sedation at all so not something I wish to repeat. But it is behind me now and we will move forward with whatever options we are offered. I tried to find a picture of what it was like and did find this somewhere on the web when I googled 'coronary artery provocation test' which is what the team called it......and it looked just like this with the size of a cricket team in there too!.....

Thankyou to each and every one of you for your lovey messages and phone calls - amazing how much it helps. I am a tad slow at the moment and feel like I've been run over by a truck but lots around me to be thankful for. Your cushion is still used and treasured Deb and I am sure it must be about 30 years old....today it is supporting the wrist that the angio wire went through while I type.......

Helen in the UK told me to 'Try and relax while you are having the procedure done and just drift through the English countryside in your mind and those willows blowing in the wind along the Thames at Kelmscott'  and that is exactly what I tried to do....so many wonderful memories of such a special part of the world........

 The William Morris Memorial Hall now has a brand new roof thanks to generous donors like Helen..........

 and what fun we had that day as William and May Morris looked down on us.....

 And always the exclusive behind the scenes viewings are special - this time the work of May Morris at the William Morris Gallery.......

 There is much going on in the UK at the moment with May Morris. The William Morris Gallery will soon be having an extended exhibition including a conference which will be exciting - sorry I can't be there. Included in the display will be a Valentine letter sent by May to George Bernard Shaw. You can read about this 'mystical betrothal' at this link

I am so pleased I took this photo of Morris' Membland Tiles at the V&A as this will be one of the projects in my third William Morris Appliqué book.....and it will eventually live on Helen's wall as she serendipitously lives on the Membland estate (Yes I am doing it Helen!).......

 While lying on that cold slab experiencing extreme discomfort in my heart I also tried to take myself back to the amazing Wightwick Manor and how lucky we were to be able to take photos inside on this last visit too........

While mentioning the new Morris book I thought you might like to see a little more of some of the projects 'in progress' - first a couple of the large appliqué quilts.....

The 'Trellis' blocks are all pieced and ready for borders and for the wool felt flowers and birds that will be attached after the piece has been quilted to reflect Morris' original pattern.......

And I must also share a picture that Lisa sent me during the week of her Mum's Beatrix Potter quilt from that book. You could tell Lisa was as proud as punch of her Mum's efforts and so am I....Lisa did say she was sorry the quilt needed a press!....(thanks Lisa - it is gorgeous!)......

A couple of weeks ago a friend (thanks Delma!) alerted me to an interview on the radio. It was with an Australian author Kate Forsyth about her soon to be released novel "Beauty in Thorns" that I can't wait to get my hands on! Kate's knowledge and research on the Pre-Raphaelite women was astounding and I am especially intrigued with the life of Jane - William Morris' wife. The novel is based on Edward Burne Jone's 'Legend of the Briar Rose' paintings and how lucky we were in 2014 that we could take photos inside of them at Buscot Park and all because we were personally escorted around by the owner - Lord Farringdon!......

 Helen and I will never forget our trepidation at members of our group sitting on the antique furniture behind the ropes...but Lord Farringdon had told them all "To plonk themselves down"...what special memories.......

and here is the novel we will be waiting for - due for release soon and coincidentally Kate is giving a lecture today in the New South Wales Art Gallery! I just saw that here.......(and a quick update - you can buy the book now!)......

 So finally these lovely pictures of Maisie who spent a day with me last week to help keep my thoughts of the pending cardiac procedure at bay.....how nice that is behind us now......

and the jonquils that pong a wee bit inside, but gosh I love them.......thanks again for dropping by and hope all is well in your part of the world x