Tuesday, 24 September 2024

Mists and mellow fruitfulness

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September, mists and mellow fruitfulness

For me, September is a season not only of mists and mellow fruitfulness, it is also the season in which my Dad passed away, one particularly glorious autumnal Saturday morning, fourteen years ago. There was no preparation, no last goodbye, just a simple telephone call to tell me Dad had gone ... and outside my window, the sun still shone like gold, leaves played in the breeze and the day was rich with warmth and autumn colour. 

Dad was a force of nature himself, he had a deep belly laugh and a colourful sense of humour, his was a presence never overlooked. He filled a room and loved an audience. The heart attack that took him from us, stole a man with a huge passion for life that never waned throughout his seventy four years. He was an explorer, a fighter, a big bold bolshy bloke with a firm handshake and a determination to succeed whatever the odds... and of course, he was our Dad, strong, solid and invincible... until he wasn't. Until the phone call. The call that rocked our world.

Over the years, shockwaves slowly eased into a ripple of acceptance and the equilibrium of life realigned with the arrival of a new generation, Dad's Great Grandchildren. Five perfect little people, full of fun, curiosity, talent and a familiar determination to push forward and conquer the challenges of life. I know Dad would be so proud of his new generation. 

And now, a picture of a hand knitted cardigan??? If you have read this far, perhaps you are curious to know why?! I am smiling as I write, because yes, this little cardigan is also part of Dad's story...

On the 12th of September 2024, six days before the fourteenth anniversary of Dad's departure from the mortal coil, a little boy was born into our family. Dad's sixth Great Grandchild. To welcome him, I have been knitting this cosy cable cardigan. We have no other family birthdays in September, so until now, September has been a month of memory... Dad, my Grandmother, my uncle. This September, I have enjoyed knitting for a happy family event!

At last, the beautiful month of September is filled with the joy of a new baby boy. Huge congratulations to his Mummy, my niece and his Daddy.

Welcome to your family little Nathan! 

Friday, 6 September 2024

Autumn Inspiration

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Autumnal inspiration

A little teddy bear and his sunflower to say goodbye to the long summer days, as autumn rains and grey skies head our way. I have been dabbling with my pen and paints during the summer holidays and have enjoyed a wee break from bear-making ... I can't lay claim to any real talent for artistic endeavour, but do find it absorbing, relaxing and great fun to share the process with my grandchildren!

The rain is pouring hard today and there is a noticeable drop in temperature... it will soon be time to put away my flipflops and slip my toes into cosy slippers instead. I find myself drawn to my knitting bag on dark days like today and as I have a new Great niece or nephew due very soon, there is plenty of good reason to knit something snuggly for baby from the comfort of my sofa, on these darker evenings.

Of course, autumn is a lovely time for creating teddy bears too! I love the richness of autumn colour before winter drains the landscape. In fact, each season brings new inspiration for this bearmaker but I have always found autumn particularly inspiring, so I am looking forward to new fabrics and hunkering down in my workroom, to bring the new season's teddy bears to life!

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