I had such a lovely day yesterday. You know sometimes you just wake up cranky, and you feel like the day is going to be a bust before it's even begun? That's how I felt yesterday morning, knowing I had a crazy busy day and I really needed to be at home - amazing how things turn around.
This year I have been so busy writing my fourth book and designing my new fabric range, I really havent had time for much else. Hence the lack of blog posts. And so with the Darling Harbour quilt show looming, I realised I had a) not made a quilt for the show and b) had not organised to be on anyone's stall or c) organised anything to do with it at all. I was kind of bummed because I've been "at" the show for the last 11 years.
Two weeks ago I got an email apologising for the late notice, but would I please lecture to the Texstyle students like I did last year? These are the girls (and a few boys) doing textiles (fashion, quilting, sewing of some kind) for their HSC, which is the final year of high school here in Australia. I did it last year and loved it, so I accepted straight away to fit a few lectures in for them on different days, and one was yesterday morning.
Lumped myself into the car, grumped about the traffic, drove around in circles looking for a car park, hauled quilts and books and fabric samples upstairs and started my lecture.
Row upon row of bored teenage faces staring at me.... told them about myself and what I do, inwardly thinking, geez I know you're 17 but SOME response would be nice... and then. And then I pulled the quilts out and all their faces lit up, and they started asking questions. How long do they take me? Where do I get the fabrics? Do I really do all that by hand? What a cool career! Do I travel? Do I love it??
Well yes, by the time I left the lecture I was loving it substantially more than I was when I walked in. Back to the car, home through the traffic in a marginally better mood.
Next I was due to meet a friend who was taking me out for a treat for my 40th birthday (which is in July) - she had bought me tickets to see the Royal Ballet. I LOVE the ballet with a passion, but I have so much to do I was feeling really really guilty that I wasn't chained to my sewing machine.
Gorgeous Rosie took me for lunch, bought me a glass of wine, and then we sat through some of the most beautiful ballet I have seen forever. I could not have had a more perfect birthday treat at a more perfect time with my lovely friend. Drove to pick my boys up feeling quite jolly really - if a little bummed I had to haul my butt to a school chapel service that night!
Usual afternoon race around to get everyone from the train station and back to school in an hour for the concert... muttering slightly about ungrateful teens by the time we got there. Sat down ready to get through the thing as quickly as possible and home to my hand quilting.
And then the boys started singing the Evensong service.... the sound of those 80 odd boys singing a capella in that beautiful old stone chapel was just the most delicious thing. From 13 year olds with piping voices to my Charlie and his mates in the bass section. An hour of music that left me floating on a cloud. My dad came to the service too and took us all for a bowl of pasta down the road afterwards, and by the time the five of us spilled out onto the pavement laughing our heads off later in the night, I got in the car thinking, oh bugger it, I won't go home and work, I've had such a lovely day.
So ther eyou go. You never know what the day will bring, no matter how well you think you have it pegged. :)
Lovely post Sarah! I adore Evensong. What a treat. And the ballet too - lucky you!
Posted by: Danielle | Friday, June 15, 2012 at 03:55 PM
Wonderful! So glad you shared it with us, thank you.
Posted by: Hope | Friday, June 15, 2012 at 04:26 PM
Nice indeed - good for you! And allow me to wish you a happy July birthday!
Posted by: jodi | Friday, June 15, 2012 at 04:36 PM
A sour beginning turned into sweet!
I've had days like that.
Happy early birthday wishes!
Posted by: elsa | Friday, June 15, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Many happy returns for birthday coming soon. Lovely to see you back again. I have been checking in for a while, wondering what's happening. Although my girls have all grown now, (one of whom did textiles and is now tackling a Farmer's Wife quilt by hand), I distinctly remember running from school pick up to evening performances. Glad your day turned around. We recently went to evening prayer at Grace Cathedral in the middle of busy San Francisco. Sadly, no music or singing.
Posted by: Holly | Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 06:53 PM