In January 2013 I extended an invitation on Facebook: the first five people to respond to my post would get a handmade gift at some point during the year. They in turn had to offer this to their own friends and spread the handmade kindness. Two people responded and I knitted a hat for one friend and have just finished these lavender cushions for a family of four. Was pleased to get them created as I kept pushing back making as other commitments took priority.
It was soothing to spend time in the studio, breathing in the lavender and making on autopilot. While working I used my trusty pin cushion and my thoughts turned to the past and my girl self. There was an open day at the school I was to attend and my mum gave me 10p to spend. This was a special moment as it was my first self defined purchase, the hall was busy with items displayed on tables and I chose a burgundy corduroy pin cushion with pins pushed into it in a neat square. This pin cushion is now almost 40 years old, I've used it throughout my life and studies, it's a little threadbare in the middle, I've re-stuffed it once and it is still going strong...
I marvel that 5 year old me selected a pin cushion, I'm sure sweeties were for sale! And I marvel that some children do have an inkling about what they want to do before stepping into the education system. Stepping out of the school system was the best thing I ever did, but that is another story.
