Maps

On a recent visit to Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham the work I found most interesting was this embroidery map of my local area. The description says it was made on 35 cotton panels, but looking closely it is clear that these are white handkerchiefs. Perhaps that was all the ladies could get at that time. It was made in 1941 by the members of the Townwomen's Guilds of Teddingston, Twickenham, Kingston and Tolworth for the British Red Cross.

It is a bit hard to see in the top picture, so here are some panels closer up. It is said that the ladies included images of some of the older buildings in this part of the country, as they were not sure that they would survive the war. I loved seeing this shared project.

Last week was my birthday, and I thought I would show you my present from my daughter. I think she was inspired by looking at the embroidery maps, and pushed into this idea by the fact she did not seem to have much money to buy a gift. But also she had heard me and my husband talking about how nice it would be to have a work of art that reflects where we live. (We are moving house soon, so I may have a bit less time for this blog for a while.) So she has drawn me a picture map of our local area. Some bits are very personal to us, with our house being featured, and places we go to a lot. But there are also a lot of funny little details that I love. The Wombles on Wimbledon Common. So I have put this in a frame, and will treasure it as a very special present.

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for June. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.