Beginning to come out of the fog

This has been partly due to our sons and their partners who thought we needed a nice surprise for a change. They clubbed together and bought us a four day trip to Bruge but because it's not until November they got us 1st Class train tickets to London for last weekend. Marc and Alix came with us and we stayed in Russel Square where we enjoyed an early morning walk and cup of coffee while waiting for them to wake up.

I admitted that I'd been to several museums in London but never the Britsh Museum so we spent Saturday morning looking at all the treasures. Alix had wanted to see the Egyptian Mummies so that was our first port of call. I was surprised just how small Cleopatra's sarcophagus was and how wide in comparison to height it was. I think she must have been small and volumptuous either that or she took a lot of grave goods with her.

I was rather taken with these small grave dolls, I think they are called Sabuti/Subati?. The belief was that when first entering the 'other world' the newly passed over had to labour in the fields. These small clay dolls were made to carry out the more arduous duties in their stead. You can see the flails and scythes these dolls are carrying so the deceased doesn't have to work the fields.

I rather liked the idea and thought Mum would appreciate one with a duster and a vaccumn cleaner. I might just make one for her later, it would have to incorporate a bingo card somewhere there.

These mummified cats reminded me so much of log cabin and railraod patchwork blogs that I'm sure these would be easy to replicate too. There were some beautiful section of tilework in the. I think this one is from the Kings Passage. Everywhere I looked I could see quilting sources.

Sunday went to Covent Gardens then took a walk along the Thames Embankment, well who doesn't when they're in London. There were quite a few Sunday performers but I spotted (no pun intended) these trees wrapped in red and white polka dot fabric. People had written their names in each of the circles and around them. I rather liked the look.
The short break revived both Keith and I and at last I've got down to some sewing, not a lot but at least its a beginnng.

I finished Mariel's 'Ethnic House' swap card and it is now winging its way to Argentina. The back of the card and the igloo are made from layers of sheer fabrics then embroidered. I made the eskimo/Inuit Indian from left over paper fabric I'd had laying around for a while and used white fleece for the fur. I drew the face and patterns on the tunic. Finally I made a fishing pole from a bamboo stick and strung fish shaped beads on the end.
The postman had not forgotten me either and Christine's 'Feather' card was awaing my return.
Christine has not been in good health recently so I was particularly pleased to receive her beautiful card. I think I've posted it upside down!!!!

Everything is beginning to return to normal. Emptying Mum's flat and tying up loose ends has been difficult for us all but iit s something that had to be done. Mum's funeral was on Tuesday and her Wake was held at a local hostellry. My brother was a bit reluctant to go feeling he would be too upset. We persuaded him and in the end all talk and laughter about the good and funny things Mum had done relieved some of the heaviness in all our hearts. It was a time of catching up with the family and we now feel stronger and more able to face the future without her.