Following in her footsteps...

Not a single day goes by without me thinking about my Nan. It has been a little over a year since she died but the grief feels just as raw. It was only a few weeks ago that I felt able to wear her purple cardigan that I'd saved after a big sort out. It's a big soft one and I knew when I saw it that wearing it would be the closest thing I'd have left to a hug from her. So the other day I had a hug.

Other things are much easier and happier to deal with. Whilst still with us, Nan gave me lots of her sewing and knitting things. Every now and then I use some wool or some fabric and it feels good to be doing some of the things she loved to do. Her patchwork is in the house in various forms; an unfinished cushion piece in the shape of a star was rescued and I made it into an appliqué cushion front. Ella's bedroom chair has another patchwork cushion on it and I have the double bed spread that was made by both Nan and Grandad for me when I was about twenty something.

I had a big sort out of clothes for charity the other day and came across an old shirt that now fits me again. Ive held onto it for years because I really like the dandelion head embroidery on it. The long bohemian style sleeves were always annoying so I got the big scissors out and chopped them off at three quarter length. I turned to Nan's tin of cottons and found the perfect shade of pale green to hem the new sleeves up with. Thanks Nan! You'd approve of my make do and mending!