my first teacher

would have been 93 today:

moja mamusia

dreaming of home

story teller

an artist

holding

kochana mamusia

things held

 edges may hold:

as decorative or functional

 protection of the center/heart

define a space

recollection

attract our attention

*

 provide us with thoughts

or be as simple as a threaded needle guiding stitches to hold two things together. 

*I'm starting the year re-reading anne truitt.  she speaks of perception, process and self-examination.
(Daybook: New York: Pantheon, 1982)

seasonal II

walking in december

The last Saturday of the year was remarkably warm here so took time out to stroll out in a preserve not too far from me: Morton Arboretum.  Finding my beloved Quercus at arms length is not a challenge here and enso magic in a little waterfall.

one more round of circle game

The center of the last 9 patch for 20-13: traditional 9 patch covered with scrim and further embellished with some split stitching. 

A good time to listen to Joni Mitchell.  

Respectfully, 2013 wanes. 

seasonal

Bringing you seasonal greetings at year's end. 

Remembrance of all our joys and loss during the passed year 

Wishes of good fortune and wellness during the coming year

Hopefully I will be back here in 2014.

Thank you for those who might find themselves here. 

Warm regards. 

i'm still here!

Happy fourteenth of February Two Thousand and thirteen 

last year ended with a heart and so this year begins with a heart...

i've been away, yes.  

issues have been coming up 

but hopefully things are on the mend.

I've been buzy...and I'll post again 

to share my stitches

over the weekend. 

so, if anyone still drops by here...

hello and thank you. 

cheer for the holidays

Wanted to wish all of those who drop by, a warm and joyful season.  I've been stitching away without completing too much however, 

this is the piece (well, one of the many UFO-WIPs) I'm working on at the moment.  The text is in process.  It will read, "two sided story, once told."  It's stitched on an old vintage quilt.  The heart is made from some scraps of fabric samples.  It needs work on the edges as well but it's nice in the hand. 

Last week Karen Ruane's "embroider, embellish, create" class EEC had it's last on-line lesson. (The link is the the flickr group so you can see how wonderful the work was from that group.) 

My cloth is not completed.  It's a piece I'm working on for my mum.  I don't know if I'll get it ready for the upon gift day but her birthday is in January (she'll be turning 92) so by then it should be put together. 

Here's where it's at - the pinned stage:

and the last little piece I'm stitching upon now:

This work has been very different for me.  First the colour is white, for the most part. Also, there is a lot of "fancy" stitch work going on.  But, as different as this is from the things I usually show - it is closer to a picture of my mother - soft, vintage cloth that has known something of life - and hopefully representing the beautiful life that I see in her face. 

Well, happiest of holidays - and until the New Year - thank you. 

May I be a better blogger in 2013.  

another long absences brings you a show and tell:

Happy November 5th.  Guy Fawkes day for the Brits among us.
And yes, I've been away again but keeping busy.

Here are a few show and tells of what I've been up to.

My sister sent me a sweater set to embellish.  So far only the "shell" is done:

It's a basic little paper  pieced triangle with some embroidery added.

I also made a needle case.  I've been  admiring the ones that others have done, for example: Deanna at eclectic-meanderings (scroll down a bit),  and so was inspired to try and make one:

This is the cover.  It reads needles pins.

This is how it looked while being assembled.

And the interior for all those tools of the trade.

I also started playing a little with my version of a sampler.  Practicing my stitch work basically.  It has now become one long long sampler fit enough for Dr. Who  (almost.)  I think I started it in anticipation of Karen Ruane's currently running class, Embroider, Embellish, Create. The sampler is growing and going.  It probably about 7 feet long at the moment so I'm showing it to you in two parts:

And I still have all my other WIPs going too...you see I really do stitch while I'm away.

I'd also like to take the time to remind everyone to keep positive thoughts going to all the storm victims out East.  In particular for Jude and her family and neighbors.  The word is that she is doing okay but still thinks it will be another two weeks before the power comes back on.  The days are getting colder and shorter so let's keep hope alive by donating to a relief fund to bring needed aid to the area.

Hopefully I'll be back sooner then later.  Stay safe and warm.  Thank you.