Field trip to Gitta’s.

Diane called and asked if I was up for a trip to our favourite stitching shop Gitta's down at the Lakeshore? After spending yesterday cleaning and getting everything ready for fall and winter, still a bit more to do. A break from it all was definitely required. So off we went this morning and fun we had.

The window as one walked in the front door on the one side.

The bench in the window had two pieces displayed on it.

Lots of frames to choose from and the framing and stretching is done on the premises. This is a family business, started by Kathryn's Mom.

A Chatelaine awaiting its turn to be framed!

Floss, silk and wool in every shade.

Hoops and hangers to display every stitched piece.

Lots of kits, needle minders and fabric to stitch treasures to your hearts content.

Many samples stiched and framed adorn the shop, around every nook and unexpected places.

Many decorations all finished and dangling from the ceiling...

Halloween is enjoyed by young and old.

Treasures in very shapes and sizes, from beginner to advance. The work and designs cater for everyone on their stitching journey.

A bucket list shop everyone should visit, even if they do not stitch! Original designs unique to the shop!

We are blessed to be able to go and enjoy every visit, no matter the weather.

A healing journey through creative fibre and thread.

On my recent visit to South Africa, my eldest sister introduced me to her friend Estelle. The two have known each other for many years. We chatted and shared our creative pieces with one another.

A while back she completed a yearlong stitching from trauma to healing, she lifted the lid on her own pandora's box and pulled back layers upon layers of veils, to get to the bottom of her hurt. Realizing why so much in her life was the way it was, years later she understood. At the time it did not make sense to her. It takes a brave act as a human being to go down this path and to heal. She started on her bicycle in January and ended in December with her bicycle. The only common denominator that everyone in the group had, was a stitch they had to use in their piece for the month, blanket, bullion or flystitch. With her kind permission I can share her creative healing journey...

This is the final part, with her arriving at the end of her journey of her pandora's box with the bicycle through a healing process.

Along the way, on a path of little things which was symbols of all the emotions she had to experience.

The good, the bad, all the laughter and tears.

Life lessons we learn from every age.

Some which starts in places we could never imagine they could come from...

A starting point, is often the most difficult point of a journey.

An unexpected gift.

My eldest sister and I was taken by our fathers Godmother many years ago, under her wing while our mom was in hospital to teach us to knit and crochet. I failed almost instantly, could not get the hang of it with the copper looking needles and the noise they made. My sister showed a lot more promise and presevered. She did master the crochet after a two week trip to the family farm, I have many memories of walking outside and wandering around exploring nature.

On my recent trip, my sister and her friend Estelle calloborated on a secret project, my sister crochet a blanket and Estelle crochet many flowers and leaves.(Time was running out, so a little bag with the flowers that did not make it on the blanket yet, came home with me). These she appliqued onto the blanket my sister had made during the recent winter in South Africa. Winter is only two and a half months long, so a great project to work on.

My sister gifted me this treasure just before I was coming back home. My suitcase was not going to work, so off we went to the local "Crazy Store" ? It is like a Zellers store. The airline allowed me two checked bags of a specific size and weight, so it all worked out fine.

At a shop close to where our eldest brother lives at the coast, I found fabric to make a table cloth.

What was in my other suitcase, which housed all the quilts and gifts? Some clothes, mainly fabric, gifts and some yarn without wool in them.

In the last 18 years I have been learning how to knit with assistance how to knit a pair of socks ( with the help of Helen who sat with me and held my hand through the whole process), hats on a peg loom and pointed needles, five hour baby sweaters and next attempting to knit mittens. This is all possible with the help of acrylic yarn, you-tube videos and Kate who kindly helps me with all that I need to understand in the world oy yarn and knitting.

A special birthday celebration.

My eldest sister is celebrating a special birthday this year. Earlier this year she asked if I could come and share her special day. South Africa is two days travel away, one way. Lots of planning happened and many of us travelled from all over the world to be there on the day, together as a family. Twenty eight people around the table.

We had very many meals together over the course of a week. A few tables had to be added to accomodate everyone. Many memories was created and a few that will become legends as time goes by.

The great nephews and nieces whom I have not met in person or spouses because of covid, it was wonderful to finally meet and get to know each other in person. Reading pillows and quilts were gifted and put to great use by everyone who received them. My suitcase had no clothes in it. The small carry on case had some clothes, the rest was bought or borrowed from my sister while I was visiting.

The party was at a little beach shack down the road from our eldest brother's house.

Food was great and everyone had a lot of fun catching up.

Also met four new fur babies, Bolt, Teddy, Gerry and Tom. They enjoyed story time just as much if not more than the little ones!