I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to write down my
thoughts about my recent trip to Liberty.
It all started with an email a few weeks ago asking me if
I’d be interested in giving a demonstration in the beautiful haberdashery
department. About twice a year, I think, the store hosts a Lotto evening with
entertainment throughout the store and a chance to win discounts on purchases
through a scratch card system.
After thinking for all of three seconds, I booked my
train and accepted the invitation. For those of you who have read my blog
before you know my love of Liberty and that having my work in the store is the
greatest achievement in my embroidery career. So actually stitching within those
beautiful walls was yet another dream come true.
I decided to work on a Purple Emperor butterfly, in
iconic Tana lawn prints, purple is also such a Liberty colour.
Along with the butterfly I took my threads, beads and
needle felting equipment, sketchbooks and patterns so people could see my
processes.
The day dawned and I made my way to the station, I was
fortunate that my hubby had work in the city on the same day so he came
with me. It was just as well as I was also delivering a new order to the store,
comprising of seven framed pieces, so the help was greatly appreciated.
As I entered the store I noticed a board with all the
details of the day’s events, my name was on it. I was so thrilled.
The staff in the haberdashery are so lovely, especially
Rachel who went out of her way to make me feel welcome. I was there with Alice
Garrett of Alice Caroline and Petra Boase. We set up and got chatting, only to
discover that Petra and I did the same degree course in Manchester, one year
apart. It was brilliant reminiscing and made the evening just speed by.
I had to get to grips with a Janome machine, we
eventually made friends though I won’t be swapping my Bernina. It was so nice to chat with customers and explain the process of making the butterflies.
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The evening went really quickly, the store was buzzing
with customers, live music and flowing Prosecco. I had a surprise visit from
one of my dearest friends too, so that made it special. Having Richard, my
husband, with me too was just perfect he is a constant support to me. It was
such a lovely experience, with some retail therapy thrown in, and the chance to
see behind the scenes, I will never forget it.
The Purple Emperor is now finished, I’ve named him Arthur
after the original Mr Liberty. Thank you to my very special friend, Linda, for
the suggestion.
I think I’ll hang on to Arthur, stitched within the walls
of Liberty he is a very unique hatchling indeed.
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