The Empty Stocking

Christmas is fast approaching and the thick layer of sparkling frost covering everything this morning seemed to herald its coming; which brings me neatly to the reason for todays post - my absolute favourite Christmas book of the moment:-



'The Empty Stocking' by Richard Curtis
illustrations by Rebecca Cobb

I absolutely adore this book and I urge you to get your own copy, whether you have children or not. It will give you that 'feel good' feeling and have you reaching for a nice glass of port and a slice of stollen.

Written by well known film director Richard Curtis, his hand is very apparent as he pulls, to great effect, on your heart strings. The utterly charming illustrations by relative newcomer Rebecca Cobb work perfectly to bring the story vividly to life. She has a childlike style combined with a sophisticated attention to detail.

It tells the story of 7 year old twins Sam and Charlie who, on Christmas Eve, are preparing excitedly for Father Christmas to visit. But Mum and Dad are a little bit worried as this has been Charlie's naughtiest year yet. Does Father Christmas know? And will he fill her stocking?

The first time I read this book I immediately fell in love with it and had to get my own copy. My son was already a teenager at this point so I couldn't pass it off as a present for him, but I was more than happy to gift it to myself.

Books are such great gifts, never more so than at Christmas, the perfect time to cosy up by the fire with a warm drink and a great read. I'm busy compiling my list now.

Amanda xxx

Beautiful Bird (in stitch)

It's been a while since my last post, but I felt that I'd put a bit too much pressure on myself to post on the same day every week, and so I've taken a step back and realised that I need to allow myself to be a little bit more flexible with my posting. I've blogged before, but as part of a group, so I'm still getting used to having sole responsibility and I need to strike a balance between blogging and my other commitments. So I'm going to try a more relaxed approach and see how it works out.

So time now for an update on my artistic endeavours:-

I am and always have been entranced, fascinated, and captivated by birds. I could happily spend hours gazing out of the window, observing them flying, perching, feeding and singing in my garden.

I still have my Usborne Birdwatcher's guide from childhood and can remember clearly one warm summers day following the instructions for suitable camouflage clothing and layering myself up with a thick brown wool cardigan and wellington boots. I was thus prepared, to crawl up and down a grassy bank, much to the amusement of the neighbours I'm sure.

Birds had to play some part in my 'Maps' embroideries as they are woven through my life. When I see the Blackbird tugging a worm from my lawn or the Robin with his plump red breast chirping away from atop the fence post, I feel a joy that lifts my spirit.

I used to love looking through bird books to find pictures of baby birds with their mouths gaping open for food and I love to watch 'Springwatch' where the cameras literally give you a birds eye view of feeding. I don't know what sparked this interest - it's just always been there - I'm not a serious twitcher traveling the country hot on the wings of  a rare sighting. At the moment I don't even have a bird table - it's most definitely on the wish list. But I love that birds exist and I'm lucky enough to share my space with them.

So here is my finished embroidery:-



'Come Into My Garden'

Amanda xxx