piece peace

Friday, May 10, 2013

Birds of a feather...

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Stitch me up: Why embroidery is like golf

Welcome to the Stitch Me Up Blog Hop. A thank you to Jane for putting this all together and for Madame Samm for being the ultimate in inspiration. I will tell my tale and show my work below but first please visit these talented ladies.

THURSDAY March 21st

Janice@ That Other Blog

Angela@ That Other Blog

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Stitchin’ By The Lake

Phoenix Heirlooms

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Mamaccessories

Molly's Place

Kath's Creations

Get More Done Today

Sew Many Yarns

The Distracted Domestic

Sheila's Quilt World

UK City Crafter

I have always wanted to try my hand at embroidery (pun intended). The beautiful things I see you and others create inspire me. This blog hop seemed like the perfect time to try...and it was the perfect time.
Many people enjoy the game of golf. They live to play. I respect these people, however from my experience I agree with Mark Twain's notion that golf is a good walk spoiled. Trying to get that little ball into the hole with the different clubs was the most frustrating experience ever for me...until embroidery. Executing the actual stitches was enjoyable. The split stitch and back stitch and I were becoming BFFs. But..threading that needle was another story entirely. It became increasingly difficult to get the beautiful finca pearl thread through my lovely embroidery needle. With each failed attempt my blood pressure rose a little higher. After 35 mins without success, I knew this had to end. Either I gave myself permission to stop...or I stroked out. Instead of feeling like a complete failure (which is my go to in situations like this), I told myself every craft is not for every person.
Below is a picture of what I had completed before I started losing my mind. This precious design from Madame Samm reminded me of my Lillian. Just like this little girl, behind that smile and sparkling eyes is a bit of mischief. I was going to use this on an apron dress for her to wear this summer.
I am disappointed and you probably are, too. Maybe you will have mercy on me and...PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE share your embroidery needle threading secrets with me so I can try again another day.

I am still very grateful for this experience. More than ever, I am humbled by the talent in our community. Thank you for visiting me.

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Friday, March 1, 2013

Beginnings

Wondering where I have been lately? During QuiltCon, I had the pleasure of rooming with fellow TMQG member extroadinarie, Jenny. She had asked me why I fell off the blog wagon and I told her I had been in a creative rut. She recommended the equivalent of cross training for creative inspiration. We decided to have a daily challenge using a medium neither of us have very much experience with...pastels. Is she smart or what? Every day we are to create a picture using pastels. Other mediums etc are allowed. We are not hard and fast about rules. I see you have your shocked face on.

Day 1 is today and I quickly whipped up, beginnings.

Something pure and amorphous rising from a sea like place at a time of transition, eg, sunrise maybe. Yes, this is a bit clique and amateurish. I am fine with that. It is a new beginning for me. I have never before committed myself to a creative endeavor every day. I am hoping it will lend itself to my quilting, sewing and overall views. Also, it is my hope that this will end up being a visual diary of sorts. Something I can reflect upon as the days move forward. I hope to notice a progression of my techniques towards being more refined and sophisticated. Finally, I hope I can really capture my voice and transparently and fearlessly display it.

piece peace

Monday, January 7, 2013

In a Word Blog Hop: Security Bracelet

Welcome to Day Two of the In a Word Blog Hop. When I signed up for this blog hop, I had no idea what I wanted to do with this project. We are supposed to reveal things about ourselves with the word or words we choose. I am horrible about describing myself so I turned to those who know me best. I asked my hubby and my closest girl friends to use one word to describe me...and to forgive the narcissistic request. I was dumbfounded.

I could not believe how highly these people thought of me. Surely they cannot be describing me? I thought it over for a long time and decided that maybe I could humbly try on these superlative traits...literally. Thus, the security bracelet. Linus had his blanket, and now I have a bracelet to wear when I am needing a small or incredibly large boost to the self esteem.

The awesome Scarlett Von Black from Tula Pink's Nightshade is on the outside,(for some reason I think she resembles me slightly) and all of those fantastic words are on the inside up against my skin. I love it!

The words are: commanding, confident, capable, genuine, charismatic, strong, warm, and unsinkable. Do I have them all fooled or what?

Many thanks to Madame Samm and to the lovely Linda for pulling this terrific event together. Thank you for visiting me today. Please make sure to visit the rest of the words at these blogs:

Tuesday, January 8
Piece Peace (Patricia G.) --That's me!
A Stitch in Time (Patty D.)

Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much? (Pamela A.)
Marjorie's Busy Corner (Marjorie)
Grandmamas Stories (Jane H.)
Mrs. Pickles Garden (Hayley)
Patchouli moon Studio (Daryl P.)
Till We Quilt Again (Helen E.)
The Slow Quilter (Felicia F.)
Terrys Quilting Time http://terrysquiltingtime.blogspot.com

Wishing you all
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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

A love story

Sometimes when two people meet the story is already written. Such was the case for two of my friends in college, Kirsten and Rob. Once Rob met Kirsten he knew she was the only woman for him. I know this because he told all of us including an uninterested Kirsten. Time passed and charming persistence paid off. After graduation Kirsten and Rob married. They have three young beautiful children and a happy life in Sandy Hook, CT.

Call it divine intervention, karma, or luck but my friends left on a family vacation last Friday morning, thus being spared the carnage at Sandy Hook Elementary where all three of their children attend school. As you can imagine they are all extremely traumatized and heart broken right now. I am so grateful that their children were unharmed. As with so many others, I am devastated by what has happened.

This is my daughter, Valerie. She is in Kindergarten and will celebrate her 6th birthday in a few days. The only difference between her and the children who lost their lives in Sandy Hook is geography. She is the love of my life...my love story. I would do anything in my power to protect her.

If you are like me, you want to take some action. You do not want these deaths to be in vain. You want to protect your loved ones. The time to act for gun control is now. Join the Brady Campaign for Gun Control or write your local representatives and tell them that you love your children more than guns!

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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Cause WICKED is how I feel...

Welcome to day two of the Wicked Blog Hop. As a lover of all things Halloween, I could not wait to sign up for this hop. Many thanks to Madame Samm and Wendy for putting this together.

Sometimes life gets in the way of the best plans and ideas. I am sure you have been there. Long story short, I had a wicked head cold two weeks ago and I just got another yesterday. So WICKED is how I had been feeling lately. Actually, I am feeling much better today so maybe I am only wicked and not WICKED.

On to my block. It is a delightful log coffin block. The plan is to make a whole quilt of these with different fabrics. This block features fabrics from Tula Pink's Nightshade and some of The Ghastlies courtesy of Alexander Henry.

The rest of the the ghouls for Terrifying Tuesday, 23rd of October

Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much?

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Hill Valley Quilter

Fignie - A Geekie Crafty Life

Hot Pink Peonies

Jane's Quilting

Sew Me Something Good

Buzzing And Bumbling

Polkadot Classic

Piece Peace--You are here! Run away quickly!

Selina Quilts

Pigtales And Quilts

Thanks for visiting my haunt!

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Thursday, August 16, 2012

Double Troub-bowl

Today is my day of the Bowls with Borders Blog Hop. Like several quilters, I have cats. Do your cats always seem to jump up on your cutting table as soon as you have the blade guard down on your rotary cutter? Mine do. For some reason, my cats seemed particularly interested in this paper pieced bowls project while I was working on it. Thus the inspiration for Double Troub-bowl.

This paper pieced and applique mini is 10 x 13 inches. The pattern is from the very talented Regina Grewe.

Bubba approves!

Here are the rest of today's Bowl with Borders Blog Hop Hosts. Many thanks to all participants, Carol, Madame Samm and Regina.

Gabi S.
Monique H.
Quilt-N-Queen
Crazy 'bout Quilts
Rita, Crooked Quilter
Geema's Wonderings
UFOs and UBIs

I Piece 2-Mary
Sew Inspiring Crafts and More

The full schedule can be found here.

Thank you so very much for hopping by today!
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