Ironing and other things

I got an email from Brabantia saying “Ironing has never been so enjoyable…..…”

REALLY?
Ironing is an integral part of silk painting , especially with my long crêpe de chine silk scarves. The ironing board seems to become a permanent fixture in the dining room, morphing into a shelf, serving for placement for odds and ends - keys, post, dog’s lead and we have to manoeuvre around it, till the jobs get done. The iron and water jug become familiar ornaments, and then one day everything gets done, the ironing board gets taken down and we regain space for a short while!

When the blank silks arrive they are beautifully folded in a method I cannot fathom to this day, fitting into a clear bag. I remove and take about a dozen scarves at a time to iron out all the creases and give the silk a “once over”. But it’s a tiresome task of white after white after white…..

Upon completion of a scarf, after steaming and washing and rinsing, they are ironed again. This is the fun part of the process, marching towards the final goal! I can check on the silk, I can consider the design and best of all, as the silk dries, I can see the colours that will be permanent for ever, making that special scarf that someone will treasure and enjoy.

These are the colours of seasonal tulips seen locally, quite by chance, that influenced the scarf above. I just played with the balance of the colours, and it was the impression of light that was important to me.

Spring can be such an inspirational time. I hope you all have enjoyed taking advantage of the fact that it’s such lovely weather, we can meet friends - outside - again, and that the pleasure and healing process from nature is free and all there, waiting for you.

Ofcourse, a silk scarf is perfect if this inspires you to be outside, or if you’re planning to meet friends and unsure of the temperature. A silk scarf can fit in your pocket, - it’s so light to carry. If it’s hot, you can wear it to protect your shoulders from the sun, and it will also keep you cool. If it’s chilly, you can wear it around your neck and it’ll quickly adjust your body heat.

And, I don’t know about you, but I haven’t bought new clothes for a year now! I haven’t needed them and it’s taught me that just simply adding a colourful silk scarf, or pashmina, can refresh and renew my “look” without the expense of a new outfit!

Treat yourself to some splendid outdoors - even if it’s walking just around the block. This is how I saw these tulips, and who knows what could be around the corner? Enjoy the luxury, colour and joy of adding your scarf to your outfit and then it’ll give you a stylish great look for whoever you bump into.

Yesterday, I turned the corner with Jesse the Lurcher and we bumped into an adorable puppy - it was a twelve week old Rottweiler! The puppy didn’t care about my scarf, but the owners did comment on it!

Take care, keep safe, keep well and please, you are welcome to make any comments you wish at the end of this passage.

Back to the ironing……