THE CRAFTY SCOT

Whilst ratting around in my stitching bin (a big plastic tub with a lid which I keep in the garage storage) I came across a piece I had started – oh I think probably about 10 years ago – give or take a month or two. I must say though in my own defence that I had done a couple of stitches on it about a year ago to complete the two figures, but it had been relegated to the bin when other things took over my spare time and I decided that one day it would come out again and be finished. I felt quite ashamed of myself that it had been hanging around unfinished for so long – but then I have to admit too, that I really didn’t know what I was going to do with it. I think now I should finish it and probably make a wall hanging from it.

However during all of this mulling over how long and what will it be, I began thinking of the actual pattern and found it amongst other bits and pieces in another bag. It was one by ‘The Crafty Scot’ – a woman who designed and sold her own patterns particularly with a Scottish tartan flavour. She was in Greenville, South Carolina. I really love anything tartan and when I saw these patterns advertised (again, can’t remember where) I ordered a couple in the names of our family tartans. I think the patterns are very clever and truly reflect the clan tartans. I’ve tried to find out whether this lady is still in operation – I remember sending an email message to her addie a long time ago but never received a reply.

Maybe if there’s anyone out there in blogland reading this who is ‘into’ cross stitching, they might know of this lady and her patterns. I’d really be pleased to find out whether she is still in business. I have an idea I’d like to add a couple of scotch thistles to the piece and she may just have a good pattern. Here’s hoping!

SMALL MIRACLE?

Well I think it was! I had been spending time with my mother who lives in another country not too far away over the Tasman. About 6 months ago (after gentle nagging persuasion from family members) she finally decided (at nearly 89) that she should have her hearing tested. This resulted in hearing aids to the tune of $3,600! Now being the very proud person that she is, (she doesn’t really need these aids you know!) she takes them out often and especially when talking on the telephone.

I saw her fossicking around, moving items, photographs, ornaments and wondered why – until she ‘fessed up’ that she had mislaid the aids. Both of us then back-tracked, trying to think of everything she had done the previous afternoon. We even went through pockets of clothing she had been wearing, hopeful that they may have been lodged there. While talking on the ‘phone to a friend she had removed them from her ears and had them in her hand. Obviously put them down somewhere after that – but where?? I certainly hadn’t spotted them anywhere that day.

It was no good! They simply were nowhere to be found. Downstairs, upstairs, both of us trailing into different parts of the house, trying to imagine exactly where they might have been put. Feeling concerned I traipsed down the stairs one more time, fearing now they might have dropped into some boxes of used goods we had delivered to the local op shop that morning, or even into the rubbish and on my way said a little prayer to the Lord, asking Him to show us where they might be. Looking again in places that had already been looked in downstairs I heard a shout from above.

“I’ve found them!!” I raced up the stairs. Puffed, I gasped “where were they?” Apparently mum had leaned over the sofa to put something on a small table nearby and had obviously placed the aids on the seat. That morning I had moved cushions onto that very spot but never saw them. Why didn’t we see them while we had searched almost every part of that room?

Of course we were both so relieved that they had ‘come to light’ but on reflection, I realised it had only been a very short while since I’d verbalized my prayer. I believe firmly that this was an answer to a very simple prayer – but one which was a timely reminder of my reliance on Him - in every situation.