SLoW LivINg

The idea of the Maiden's Garlands is really an example of ‘slow living’ that we are finding increasingly elusive.  Helen wrote that there is a new movement – SLOW STITCHING, following along from the Slow Food Movement. They have a facebook page if you are interested, but it is all about taking the time to stitch, dye, crochet, spin etc etc.  One quote reads ‘Slow stitching means setting aside time to find myself somewhere in the thread and spread myself out on a piece of fabric.’  (Kelly Martinez).  A few images from their web site   .....................

MAIDen'S GaRLaNDS

It is bewildering the amount of information and ‘good finds’ one can make by cruising around the net – pinterest is certainly bad news and have to keep telling myself that while I’m ‘pinning’ – I’m not playing!  It’s hard to stop sometimes, so many wonderful ideas, but a few days ago I was surfing the net and came across the past custom of making a special garland for the funeral of a young ‘chaste’ woman.  These were known as ‘Maiden’s Garlands’ – and were a symbol of purity which started as a circle of flowers and then evolved into a bell-shaped structure of wicker which was decorated with flowers and rosettes.  Sometimes a handkerchief or glove would be hung with the garland, which was carried ahead of the funeral and then sometimes buried with the deceased but often hung in the church. 

A few of these garlands still survive - the oldest said to have been made in 1680 and displayed in a Yorkshire Church.  The ritual seems to have died out but there was one made in 1995, hanging in Derbyshire.  Examples have been found hanging in Churches in France as well.

 ‘These funerary decorations were the last, fragile mementos of a deceased, unmarried girl’s life and their use dates back at least to the 16^th century.  Also known as Virgin’s Crowns or Crants (from the German), Maidens’ Garlands were made from paper, ribbons, fragments of best frocks, silk and shells and usually had a centrepiece made from paper cut into the shape of a glove, kerchief or collar, sometimes with a written epitaph.  They symbolised the young girl’s purity and lamented a life unfulfilled by marriage and motherhood.’

 http://nillyhall-maidinkent.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/on-saturday-happened-upon-box-full-of.html

It seems such a poignant custom and I can imagine young girls sitting around creating a special memorial to a friend.  They are precious.

WHaT BLoG?

Sometimes I forget there is such a thing as Blogging – how can life be so hectic when all we want is peace to play!  Many of you have grandchildren – how many have one living with them?  – aaaaagh.

Well – it’s not that bad.             Sometimes!!!!  Ha

Russ has three months off starting next week so practicing for retirement – will be a new experience for us both!

Latest magazine order is ‘on the way’ – waiting, waiting patiently!

Do hope you have all been well and happily creating.  It is always good to hear from you and see what is being produced – awful to when life changes and the big craft room has to be a small cupboard in a retirement village!  How do we ever sort it out – but I know one day I’ll have to ‘shed’ – but at the moment am loving having all these wonderful goodies around me.  It’s certainly handy when we have a get together and someone needs something – hmmmm. ‘ I’m sure I have some of that here!’

Our little gang has been playing with cloth books – and it is very addictive and rewarding.  With our addiction to form many pages include faces, or figures.  It really is good fun and small enough to carry around and stitch ‘on the go’. 

Our next meeting will be at Wirrabara – we are honored to be visiting Jackie’s studio – another delightful creative spot.  We'll continue on with our 'slow stitched' booklets.