Stitched Memories

This piece warms my heart.

It represents…….

new travels

 the new feeling of stitching on wool

evening chats on the balcony

 afternoon tea

 sewing circle of like minded souls

 eco dying techniques shared by the lovely India Flint 

Prayer Flags

This piece was once part of a quilt I started for my daughter, but after a while, it didn't seem to flow the way I had hoped. It soon became one of those UFOs (unfinished objects). After months of shifting it from one pile to another, it is time to scrap it.  

This section makes a nice prayer flag.

My small collection on the back patio.

The Eye Of The Storm

I've learned about telling a story through cloth from Jude Hill. 

So much goes through my mind when I'm stitching. I just never thought of transferring those thoughts to cloth to Tell My Story.

The idiom "eye of the storm" means the region of mostly calm. Here the eye represents the center of calm, but the added tears mean there is potential for violent outbreaks. This has been my body's experience dealing with gluten sensitivity.

Telling My Story

One small phase of my life, yet such a big piece.

I got the idea of squares on squares from Jude over at Spirit Cloth. Once I started stitching the squares together, they became blocks of time that I have traveled during this phase. 

The spiral is the journey through these blocks of time.

Stitching To Stay Warm

Today's high was 15 degrees. A perfect day to stay inside and stitch.

Time With Family

Thanksgiving weekend was spent with my children and their families, which always fills my heart. 

One special day was spent with a trip to the local tree farm to pick out a Christmas tree where we also enjoyed a tractor ride, candle making and hot chocolate. 

As my grandson proudly helps carry our special tree home, he says "This is the best day ever!" 

My son-in-law cut a few extra tree stump pieces for us girls (and grandson) to make into keepsake ornaments.

The bear represents a new grand baby on the way.

I did very little stitching during these past several days, but I did manage to find a home for my satin stitched initial.

The Beginnings Of A Story

Here is the state of mind I was in when these two pieces came together.

I have several projects going right now, but they just weren't stimulating enough at the moment. It's like my creative soul needed a challenge or something. Do you ever feel like this? 

 Some may call it bored. I can't explain it. Anyway, when I feel like this, I look through unfinished pieces.

These caught my attention.

 I'm not sure where I was going with this woven cloth piece.

I gave these little English paper pieced sailboats a scenic background a while ago.

I joined the two pieces, added a few more blue fabric scraps.

Added some wave stitching, and……

Now, I see sand. 

Maybe a few seashells?

Satin Stitch Gone Bad

For some reason, I couldn't leave well enough alone. I just had to add more stitching to the inside of the circle. 

Note to self: When working the satin stitch, don't pull your stitches too tight.

Seclusion and The Satin Stitch

Feeling like this blue egg today.

I have developed an allergic reaction to something. I don't know what, which is very frustrating, painful, and annoying.

so.............

While visiting some bloggers, I got inspired to do some satin stitch designs from Jude's blog. This stitch seems perfect for the time I sit in seclusion until I am presentable to the world again. 

I do like that satin feel.

Hello Mr. Sunshine

Trying to decide if I should give Mr. Sunshine a face or not?

A Story Quilt

 It's been a very long time since I've indulged in hand stitching. Sometimes, I let other life matters consume my time that I loose sight of what brings me joy......being creative.

I've always loved this small piece of garden fabric, and I now have a place for it.

Many, many years ago I started a quilt for this little girl who is now a young lady in college. That quilt had dolls sewn on it, and I'm quite sure she has outgrown the doll phase.

 I've started a new quilt for her. 

Satin Stitch

I've been busy with a painting project and doing some winter hiking. 

Hiking like stitching........calms the mind.

I really don't have a plan for this little piece.

Just stitching.

Palestrina Stitch

Learned a new stitch.

Palestrina Stitch