Jam and Jerusalem

Mr Treasure and I popped to see the 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow' exhibition at Tewkesbury Abbey today. It's been on for the last fews days and is part of the celebrations to mark 90 years since the first Women's Institute was started in Gloucestershire.

There were handicrafts aplenty. From patchwork and sewing, to embroidery and painting.

I loved the embroidered wallhangings - each one featured panels made by members of different WIs in Gloucestershire.

The details and colours in some of the panels were wonderful. I particularly liked the one in the top left of this photo...I think it has something to do with the fact that I've begun to daydream about living in the country!

An embroidered wallhanging depicting all aspects of WI life...from jam and Jerusalem, to cake and tea!

I'm being drawn to stained glass windows at the moment and this one in the Abbey really caught my eye. The colours were so vibrant as the sun streamed through the panes of glass.

There's something incredibly nostalgic about the old WI emblem - "For Home and Country".

Nestled amongst all of the intricate beadwork was my quilted bag, complete with diamante trimmings and inspired by Art Deco...yes, I'm a WI gal!

I joined the WI just over a year ago having secretly harboured a desire to do so for some years. I blame my grandmother (who was a very keen WI member) and the film, 'Calender Girls'! The WI still has a bit of fuddy duddy reputation (I'm still a little shy about telling my friends I'm a member!), but it's not all jam and Jerusalem. I've been welcomed into the group I joined, met people who constantly inspire me and continue to learn new things all the time. I must admit, some of the monthly talks have me in stitches...and not always for the right reasons (if you've seen 'Calender Girls', you'll know what I mean!) For me, being in the WI started as a nostalgic pull to be part of an organisation that my grandmother so enjoyed being a part of...and has grown into a feeling of belonging.