My love of tray cloths probably started when I was a girl, however long ago that might have been, when we were routinely taught the rudiments of needlework. Lazy daisies were our staple, using needles called 'crewel' somewhat akin to our needlework mistress we reckoned. Funny to think in these days of gender equality that girls were assigned to the fine motor skills of needlework, whilst the lads got to bash nails into bits of wood in the name of woodwork, read into that what you will.
Gotta love and give thanks to the special pre-school teachers my daughters were fortunate enough to have, whose inspired Mother's Day gifts remain amongst my greatest treasures. I'm speaking of course of tray cloths with potato, hand and leaf prints as well as primitive self images. As somebody who has just had a red letter day and experienced a life defining moment by paying our last school bill ever (hopefully) these sentimental treasures from pre-school days are a stark reminder of how fast the years have flown and how my babies have grown.
When I tell them how I have a few small things (including some of these charming relics from pre-school) stashed away for their bottom drawers, they howl with derision. They most certainly won't be scrimping and saving to set up house with a few rudimentary kitchen utensils, but will rather be buying their own penthouse apartments with the careers they have planned for themselves. Let's hope so.
I wonder what happened to the tray cloths I made with my first attempts at lazy daisies though? How I wish I could lay my hands on one of those now...
Your, ever sentimental,
Suzy Q
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