I had an interesting and unusual start to my morning, taking my mother to a fundraising ‘Marmalade Morning’. Coming away with two very eclectic jars (‘marmalade and black treacle’ and ‘rosy pink grapefruit and pomegranate juice’) I had a very interesting conversation with a fellow marmaladeateer. My mother introduced the lady as ‘an amazing embroiderer’ so we were at once on common ground as my degree is in said subject. I have heard accounts of her amazing skills and am always fascinated by ‘technical skills’ something which I have in a small degree but which is not something that I have particularly pursued. I always feel very humbled in the presence of people with a lifetime of dedicated skill (she has made many beautiful church kneelers) and felt somewhat strange about showing her photos of my work (I always have to get my phone out with pics as words always defeat me).
Thankfully she overlooked my basic techniques and was genuinely intrigued by my ‘very unusual’ work.
It is gratifying to realise there is a middle ground between great idea and skilled technique.
