British Summertime is (very nearly) officially over ...

 

In a few hours time the clocks will be put back an hour and that's that as far as Summer is concerned.  It's always a little disconcerting when the clocks go forward in March or back in October.  There's the feeling of being unbalanced.  Unsettled by the shifting of time in this way.  

I've spent part of today finishing this book, 'A Disappearance in Fiji' by Nilima Rao, set in 1914 and concerning the lives of indentured Indians on the island of Fiji.  This was the days of Empire, of colonial rulers and sugar cane plantations where conditions were appalling for the thousands of workers bought over from India.  Not only is it a well written story, but it gave me a glimpse of a slice of history I'd not known about.  In an afterword by the author, she notes that between 1879 and 1916 over 60,000 Indians went to Fiji as indentured servants.  Basically they were contracted to work for a fixed period of several years, for fixed pay, and weren't free to just leave or get a new job if they were mistreated.  I know all this makes the book sound grim and might put you off, but honestly it's a good read and very enjoyable, despite some grim moments.  

I also finished off the two folk art style angels I was making.  This pair aren't the prettiest of gals.  I think they're sisters, possibly Hettie and Harriet.  Certainly the angel on the left has been over-doing the henna, and her wings are decidedly lumpy.  Couldn't fly with those!  

I've also been watching several Jude Hill videos, and have this slow-stitching piece that I'm putting together.  The moon and a black & white feather are both motifs that occur in her work.  I'm thinking of adding a comet - as you do - something like the one that occurs in the Bayeux Tapestry - and may add an eye, like the one I already embroidered on another project.  

It is fun to start sewing, putting fabrics together, adding lines of stitching, and not know where it's all going to end up.  Fun to let ideas pop into your head and not worry whether anyone else will approve or disapprove, whether they'll understand or think you're crackers!