16 Oct 2008 6 Comments
in Crazy Quilting, Needlework Tags: Crazy Quilting, Silk Ribbon Embroidery
Several people have emailed me and asked for clearer and close-up photos of my crazy quilt stitches. Here is my best shot. Hope this helps. This was an experiment in crazy quilting for me. While I love to embroider and stitch, I had never really worked with silk ribbon before…I guess I am learning. Just for fun…my friend, Dolores, had some of us other friends over and taught us “how-to.” Between her lovely patience and reading a few books…voila…the makings for a pretty pillow top.
10 Sep 2008 4 Comments
in Family, Needlework, Wool Tags: Family, Time, Wool
It was six days of fun, family, and relaxation. We had a couple of days to ourselves; the children and grandchildren arrived; we hiked; we biked; we canoed; we roasted marshmallows; and we just simply spent time with one another. We even celebrated one granddaughter’s 8th birthday with candles and cake and gifts. It was marvelous. It was a gift to me that they all agreed to come for the weekend. And then we had a couple of additional days to just relax before coming home to what awaits everyone upon returning home.
My time was spent with family…not much needlework, but I did manage to complete a couple of items, make progress on another, and read a good book.
The wool candle mats are from patterns I purchased sometime ago, but still available. Working with wool is very soothing, very forgiving, quick to do and something I very much enjoy. I have been collecting bits of old wool for years, have tried my hand at dyeing a bit, and have purc
hased some lovely wool pieces. Most of what I use is felted wool fabric, but when I can’t find or create just the right colors, I use wool felt. This comes in brightly dyed colors more than one could ever wish for.
Sometimes my only enemy is time…not enough of it. Right now I have time dedicated to promised projects and not enough time for desired art projects of my own. One day. For now, I spent the last six days of my time with my family…a very precious gift from them to me. I am grateful.
22 Aug 2008 1 Comment
in Needlework, Reflection Tags: Needlework, Reflection
“Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.”
I did this needlework (a quote from George Eliot) many years ago for a good friend. That friend has since passed away and the needlework came back to me. It is mounted on brown velvet, done on linen with frayed the edges. I added the stalk of wheat to signify the chaff and grain. I will treasure it always and the friendship it was meant to signify.
I learned last night that my friend with cancer was put in the hospice program, less than one week after the fundraising benefit. It made me think of this needlework and I wanted to share this quote with everyone.
14 Aug 2008 Leave a comment
in Knitting, Needlework, Sewing Tags: Gifts, Knitting, Sewing
Each time old photos are viewed, it brings back a memory of a special gift for a special person and how relationships can enrich my life. This teddy bear was a gift for a my daughter, who will remain in my heart forever. She was a wild young thing, but grew into a beautiful and lovely young woman. And a handknit blanket and homemade outfit for little Joey who is SO very adorable. We all make gifts, little ones and ones that take eons to finish. They are gifts not only for the recipient, but for those corners of our hearts where memories linger forever.
13 Aug 2008 2 Comments
in Needlework Tags: Cross-Stitch, Needlework
I am inspired by many things in life and have a variety of needlework interests. To be observant to all around me is a passion. And so my needlework reflects so much of what is in my life at any given moment. The cross-stitched Navajo weaving came about from a trip to New Mexico and Arizona. The punchneedle chicken came from my passion for all things French. And the embroidered pumpkin was a result of my love for Autumn, its crisp cool weather and the beautiful Fall colors. I thank my mother for making me a person who senses so much and sees with the heart rather than the eyes.
07 Aug 2008 Leave a comment
in Needlework Tags: Needlearts
This beginning note is a testament to a lovely English lady. She taught me to knit booties for my dolls when I was seven and then scarves and mittens. The love of needles, thread, yarn, and fabric simply infused me. Clara Avery was my grandmother. The reason I have textile art in my soul is all because of her. I will be forever grateful and indebted to her passion for the gentle art of using one’s hands.
Like so many others, I cannot pass up a shimmering skein of floss, the smell and feel of a new bolt of fabric, the blissfully soft touch of furry angora yarn.
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Averyclaire 