Every stitch has a story

Clearing up after Easter, come across these lovely card from Oxfam  - bought by my son.
We almost take this decorative embroidery for granted. The cards are on sale all over the place - in other charity shops, not just Oxfam, and they don't cost a fortune.
But when you look closely - what craftmanship. How long did this take? What was the embroiderer thinking and where was he/she living?

Sewing workshops in Hammersmith

A great embroidery workshop today at the Masbro Centre, Hammersmith.
More on the Bridging Arts blog.

Corduroy in Cologne

Cheerful corduroy armchairs in the lobby of Hotel Glockengasse in Cologne.
The black towers of the cathedral - miraculously surviving WW2 bombing  - magnificent over acres of concrete rebuild.