Dream big

I haven't been quiet lately because I haven't been doing anything.  I've been quiet because I just bought a house and I've been spending just about every free minute moving and trying to bring some sort of order out of a highly landscaped yard that's been allowed to run wild for 11 months.

As I've been moving over and putting things on the wall, one space has been challenging me.

It's over the mantle.  As you can see, I have a large clock there right now.  I have put off hanging it because I've had a plan to do a piece of bobbin lace to go in that spot.  At first I was going to work on the fan I've been planning to work for a little over a year but last month, I had a thought. 

 

I really wanted to have a representation of my time in Scotland somewhere in the house.  I've got a few things like the bear you see sitting on the side of the mantle.  That's Robert the Bear.  I'm not a teddy bear sort of person but this bear was given to me by one of my favorite people in Glasgow (named Robert, of course).  He's the father of my oldest friends there and he and I always had such a ball.  He also gave me a fridge magnet that plays "you take the high road and I'll take the low road and I'll be in Scotland afore ye..." and a mini paint pot.  Long story about the paint pot but it made me laugh every time I saw it and makes me giggle even now.

 

So back to my point.  A centerpiece for my mantle.  Glasgow's motto is, "Let Glasgow Flourish."  Originally it was "Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of Your Word and the praising of Your Name" but was later shortened to just "Let Glasgow Flourish."  There is a story that explains the  elements of the city's coat of arms:

 

The saint, the ring, the bird, the tree, the fish, the bell.  If you want to read more about the legends that make up the coat of arms, have a look here. 

When I was looking at the article above, I saw the photo of the street light.  That would be the perfect format for my special bobbin lace piece!  Around the bottom, I will add the motto.  I've started drawing it out and I've been thinking through what stitches I'm going to use to get the best effect for each of the elements.

I think this will be the perfect nod to my true home.  I can't wait to get started on it!