Tuesday, January 25, 2011

It's been a long time

I was told by Blogher that it has been more than a month since my last blog. Which means I need to get back to writing. I have spent a whole month embroidering a pillow. Not good for my eyes. The pillow is Swedish, done in a stitch called tvist. It is so much fun to work on. Difficult to go to bed at a decent time but fun to get up in the morning. You tell yourself that you will just finish this corner, and hours later there is just one more corner to be done. It is fabulous looking, now that it is finished. I will take it to the best upholsterer to have it made into living room, love seat kind of pillow. There is only one problem. I have already begun another one. It is bigger than the first one. With nine stylized tulips in the center.

Today is my ninety first birthday. I was given a new chair that is going to get me up and walking more often. I love it, and I love my four children who gave it to me. I tried out lots of chairs in the furniture store and settled on a beautiful blue covered one, which has all the functions that I will need in the near future. I will try to find a hypnotist who can help me with my deteriorating posture. that will be my gift to myself. And I will walk more this next year. And I will blog everyday before I pick my embroidering needle.

Birthday cards have arrived in bunches, and this morning I opened them. They  are so beautiful and have such wonderful messages, I had to dry my damp face before beginning this blog. I feel so rich. Rich in the love that surrounds me. And for that I am truly thankful

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday dear Svensto! Glad that you are blogging again. Missed you. Wonderfull to know someone who is so full of spirit at a your age. That pillow sounds excititng. Please get someone to take a picture and post it. Gratis! EM in DK

Steph said...

Happy Birthday to you, Svensto!
Thank you for sharing your stories and experiences--you are amazing.
I'd love to see a photo of the pillow you have been embroidering.

Have a wonderful day!

carol said...

Happy Birthday! You are such a treasure for your family. So full of wonderful stories and lessons that you are willing to pass on to them and share here with the rest of us. You have awakened an old memory for me today. When I was in Japan as a child, one of our sewing class projects was "swedish embroidery". I do not know if the stitches were authentic, but we all could not wait to get through the other projects to start the swedish embroidery piece. It was the most beautiful thing we made. I am going to research this now and start a project. Thank you for this!

Kelly said...

I've never commented here before, but couldn't pass up the chance to wish you a very Happy Birthday! I love reading your blog posts--you remind me so much of my Grandma, who passed away in 1995. Here's to many more healthy and happy years!

Anonymous said...

Yes, we definitely want to see a picture.
We really like to hear from you, but don't want to be a burden. Go ahead and embroider if you like, just don't forget about us too long.

Hope you have a wonderful day and year!
Your chair sound like a wonderful present.
keitha

Ptolemy said...

You could write a book on how to be 90! (And beyond...) Happy, happy birthday!!

mss @ Words Into Bytes said...

Happy birthday! It's wonderful to hear from you again. You are such an inspiration to me. I'm glad that you are able to pursue your projects and passions and remain so active. This is a lesson I need to learn; reading your posts reminds me to practice.

Enjoy your walks!

Beth said...

Happy Birthday! I read several blogs each day and always check to see if you have anything new to report. You are TRULY an inspiration. Enjoy your many talents as we enjoy hearing about them. Any bus trips coming up?

katherine said...

Happy Birthday Svensto! I always am excited when I see that you have written a new post. And yes - please send a picture of the pillow!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! You know, we're all very eager to see the pillow! I hope that your day is most excellent. Sending happy wishes for your special day from San Francisco.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!!!
I am 35 tomorrow, I am in good Aquarius company!

weeder1 said...

Happy Birthday wishes from Sunny Sacramento! I'm so happy to read your blog again today and its nice to know that you have been so busy doing something you love. I too would love to see a picture of your stitching. You ARE amazing!

Liza said...

Happy Birthday, dear Svensto! From someone you'll never meet, on the opposite side of the country from you. But I check your blog often, and have been worrying a bit about you. Glad you got such a thoughtful present.

Many happy returns of the day!

And please do post a photo of the pillow, if you can.

jen said...

Grattis pÄ födelsedagen!

I hope your 92nd year is as amazing as the previous 91 years. Congratulations. You are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your past, your present and your future with us. I'd love to see a photograph of your beautiful self if you're so inclined.

Fondly from San Francisco,
Jen--second generation Swede from Gotland. ;o)

Anonymous said...

Grattis Svensto. I was born in Stockholm but have lived in Canada for 50 years.
It was interesting to read about your Tvist embroidery. I think the embroidery I used to do about 40 years ago was called Tvist, I think it came from southern Sweden, maybe Skane. You sew first a cross stitch on Aida vav, then you sew a stitch in the hole to the right upper corner and come up straight below. Then you go back to the left upper corner hole and straight down to the hole below, then to the right etc. I used wool. We did traditional designs such as Backahasten and even one of Skanska Slott.

Jen, my mom who unfortunately passed away last June at 92, was born in Visby on Gotland but grew up in Stockholm. Her family came from Smaland.
Marie-Louise

Melinda said...

Happy birthday! I am looking forward to reading more of your stories this year. I hope you are looking forward to telling them.

musingegret said...

A Belated Happy Birthday, Ms. Svensto! It was a thrill to open your blog this morning and see today's post and this one. Can't wait to see the pillow and maybe a photo of your new chair! You are such a joy and inspiration to all of us who follow your stories. May your 91st-and- counting year (2011) be chock-full of good health, happiness, new adventures and continued love from all your friends and family. We thank you.

Laura said...

Happy Birthday Svensto! Sorry it is a few days belated. I hope it was quite enjoyable. I am looking forward to seeing a picture of the pillow when you get it back. Thank you also for the story of your daughter and your mother's wedding dress. All of her hard work did pay off! Cheers, and Happy Birthday!

conny said...

Hope you enjoyed your birthday, Svensto.
Good to hear from you again. My wish for the future would be to be as well as you when I am 91! You're such a role model!

Della said...

Happy Birthday a few days late!

Arinn said...

happy belated birthday!! and thank you, always, for the gift of your blogs. i love reading about your life!!

Melissa Weisbard said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I've been out of the blogging world for about a year and I just realized how much I always enjoyed reading your blog. Now I'll have to take time and catch up on a year of your posts!