As a child growing up in Florida, I remember celebrating May Day by leaving flowers on neighbors' doorsteps, ringing the doorbell, and running away. Do children still do that?
I attended Cathedral School in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades, and there was always a May Day Festival. How exciting it was in 6th grade when the girls got to dress up and dance around the May Pole!! I can vividly remember our beautiful dresses and the beautiful ribbons on the May Pole.
When my brother was in kindergarten, he got to be the page....he wore an elaborate costume complete with a cape and hat. His job was to shout, "Here comes the queen!"
When looking for May Day photos for my blog, I learned that May Day celebrations first appeared several centuries ago with festivals celebrating Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers.
Happy May Day!! Perhaps you'll enjoy this complimentary flower chart (click here) I designed a few years ago. You can see a colored photo of the stitched design on my website.
We have more reasons to celebrate here because if all goes as planned Tom (after 10 days) will be coming home late tonight (well, technically very early tomorrow morning). Here's hoping that he makes his tight plane connections in Atlanta and that the weather cooperates so that he doesn't get "stuck" in Atlanta for the night.
8 comments:
You are fantastic !!!
Thanks Ellen
Have a good day
françoise
Happy May Day Ellen! I just read on another blog where she celebrated May Day as a child just like you did. No one ever did where I grew up, but it sure sounds like fun!
Off to get your free pattern - thanks.
Fingers crossed that Tom gets home tonight safe and sound!
Wonderful news that Tom will soon be home with you.
glad things are improving and Tom will be home soon, Ellen. Love the story of May Day - we never did anything like that while I was growing up. Love the flower pattern - thanks!
Happy May Day! Hope Tom arrives home on time! You two deserve some time together!
Hey! I finally just picked up the little turtles again! I was wondering if the backstitch line around the stitched area is over one or over two? And will I ever use that backstitch to connect two pieces (like with a biscornu) or is it just the border?! Thanks!!!
Thanks everyone for your notes. Tom "rolled in" around 2am this morning.
Sara, I'm delighted that you have resumed work on your turtles.
There are detailed instructions for the backstitches on the bottom on page 1, column 1. Most of the backstitches are over two linen threads, but occasionally you will need to do something different.
If you look at the charts for each piece, you can see where those variances are marked. The "backstiches that vary from the "norm" are necessary to get the right curves for the turtles.
The instructions on page 1 also tell you the number of plies of embroidery thread to use and also other helpful hints.
If you have any other questions, you can email me at examplar@withmyneedle.com.
So glad Tom made it safe and sound. As for May day, I never heard of the leaving flowers on a door step but I like the idea. My niece got to be the May Day Queen when she was little, she was so cute in her wreath of flowers but that was many, many years ago. I haven't heard anything from the grand kids on special events to celebrate.
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