Thirty five years ago I made this tapestry and had it framed with non reflective glass.
Since then, being a military family, we moved house a further seven times, including three international moves and the tapestry came with us.
During our final move into this house twenty years ago the glass was broken. It has sat in a cupboard ever since with David promising to fix it one day.
Last year I spotted a framed picture in a charity shop. The picture was awful but the frame had non reflective glass, so for the bargain price of $2 I bought the picture. David then said he would reframe the tapestry with the glass from the picture and yesterday he finally got round to doing the job, this is the result.
It took him all of one hour to cut the glass and reframe the tapestry. Everything comes to she who waits and it is a good job I have lots of patience.
I might add here that we have moved house sixteen times during our married life and the only other thing we have had broken was a casserole dish lid. We always do our own packing, so I don't think we can complain.
Thanks so much for the fabulous response to yesterday's 'Screwby City' photo and for putting it on the PP. I had the idea for that shot for a while and was pleased I finally found the time to put it all together.
It's lovely to have it still with you. My Dad took up tapestry and marquetry when he was in a TB Hospital after WWII, and we still have some of the pieces in the family.
Good job David! I certainly understand your patience as I have a very talented man who has no sense of my wish for things to be done too! hehe We are going into year 5 of redoing the floors with just one room (the kitchen) to go. Let's just say I'm not holding my breath. The same is true of the built-in bookshelves that were promised three years ago. I'm glad I can live without both of these things because it could be another 7 years before either gets done! With all your moving though I think you get the prize. The tapestry is beautiful and now it will go on display for all to enjoy.
Quite a story it can tell. ( if it could tell) Thanks you did it. ( I`ve been a sailor for many years so I know a little about packing.) Moving = stress.
@pcoulson Thanks Peter. I don't find moving stressful I quite enjoy it. I think I must be a gypsy at heart. After so many moves though I am not doing it again. We are both collectors and the more we collect it takes longer to pack.
@peadar David's Dad was in a TB hospital after WW2 as well and he did embroidery and marquetry. We still have some of his pieces too including a beautifully embroidered tablecloth. Embroidered with marigolds.
@happypat I definitely wouldn't have the time now Pat that is for sure. I did a lot of knitting, tapestries and reading etc back then when the girls were small and we also lived at very remote RAF camps at the time. Nothing much to do in the evenings, especially when David was away a lot.
@peadar Not the same hospital. David's Dad was in a TB hospital in Breconshire, South Wales. Can't remember the name of it at the moment. He caught TB in North Africa.
@onewing OK. My Dad caught his in the Middle East, as far as we know. I have a copy of a newspaper clip with the story of how his Regimental Band (HLI) went and gave a concert at Harefield Hospital to cheer him up!
During the first 30 years of our married life David was in the RAF and the RAAF so spent a lot of time away. In fact we have added up that due to detachments and unaccompanied postings etc. he has spent a total of about 9 years away all together. We generally lived on remote RAF camps in the UK.