SRE Lesson Two

This is my incomplete attempt at Sharon Boggon's Silk Ribbon Embroidery Lesson Two. I have yet to finish rosebuds as I ran out of the ribbon, and still need antique gold seed beads which were out of stock.

SRE Lesson One with Sharon Boggon

This is my attempt at Sharon Boggon's Silk Ribbon Embroidery Lesson One through joggles.com I have yet to bead the centers or re-iron the linen. Stitches include stem stitch, ribbon stitch, and lazy daisy.

Quilt shop excursion

Thursday, I went to Pennington Quilt Works, and had a fabulous time buying fabric and patterns and meeting such nice women. I drove there on the highways using GPS and came home on county roads using just the sense of direction my Dad had nurtured in me. I didn't get lost and saw fabulous farms, horses, cows, gardens and a Chinese geese for sale sign. The homes were lovely to look at and so much greenery, it was very refreshing.

I had surgery this past Monday on my breast and will get my biopsy results on Monday. It should be good news, as it is 90% likely to be benign. I also found out that I don't have VonWillebrand's Disease which I had been diagnosed with at age 17. I do have an Alpha 2 Antiplasmin Deficiency, a very rare bleeding disorder. As of 2009, there were 15 reported congenital cases worldwide. My good friend Lesley in England, said leave it to me to a "posh bleeding disorder", lol. My brother and sister surprised me by offering help for the surgery, my late Mom would be very happy. ;-}

Please be crewel.....

Yesterday I attended a crewel workshop by the world renowned Phillipa Turnbull of Cumbria in the UK. It was held at the Perkins Center for the Arts in Moorestown, NJ, which is in an old Tudor mansion that was charming. See http://www.crewelwork.com/ if you are not familiar with her work. She is the opening speaker and a teacher at EGA National Seminar in San Francisco. I highly recommend taking her classes if you have the opportunity to do so.The workshop I attended was organized by Karen of www.NimbleNeedle.net, to whom I am most grateful for this wonderful opportunity. Karen's store is around the corner and she is delightful. She recently taught a canvaswork piece, with 5 stitches which were new to me, to my local EGA chapter.
It was fabulous. I learned long and short shading (which I had always been afraid to try)and an entirely new way to do French knots. (Which really improved my consistency!) When looking at my first ever attempts at long and short soft shading, she said my stitching was "bloomin' beautiful". I also learned stem stitch properly; and laid and couched work, as well as closed fly stitch. Also a fascinating lecture the day before on the history of English and Scottish crewel and textiles. It included a power point presentation with amazing photos and she brought a historic American crewel piece which was amazing.

She was commissioned to recreate the Queen Mother's silk damask bedspread lost during the war that matched a crewel headboard, both of which had been originally embroidered by the Queen Mum's mother. It is at Glamis Castle. (This was featured in Inspirations - the Australian embroidery magazine and it is stunning.)
It is also featured on her DVD which I bought, as well as her seat frame (which I found surprisingly comfortable and easy to use even though I am quite obese)
I had brought my heavy metal K's creations stand to the workshop, did not use it because I really liked the seat frame. I also couldn't resist her heartsease pansy kit as this is my favorite flower. I am working on her secret squirrel piece, most of the attendees did her deer stag piece, but I love squirrels, and wanted a beginner piece.

Her beau, Harry Williamson is a trustee of the Royal School of Needlework and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Broderers. He spoke yesterday on the history of them both. His lecture was very interesting and quite informative. He is quite charming and Phillipa is just a treasure. The amount of individual attention was unbelievable. Absolutely amazing 2 days!!! Worth every penny. She has some amazing stuff on her website including stitch demos.

I am really looking forward to An Adventure In Crazy Quilting in April 2011, in Connecticut
and taking classes from Sharon Boggon, Allison Aller and Betty Pillsbury. The workshop I just attended has really improved my stitching skills and Phillipa's comments has vastly increased my self-confidence. Check out www.maureensvintageacquisitions.blogspot.com

Grief is not for sissies

I can't believe that in May 2010, my beloved Mom, Mabel S. Squire, will be gone for a year; and one month later, my precious Dad will have been gone for two years. I was so lost in grief, I never blogged abut my Mom's passing. Later this month my wonderful sister-in-law, Milissa Maszer Rauh, will be gone from us for 3 years; she was taken from us much too young.
My Mom taught me so much, as did my Dad. I miss them both very much. My Mom could really drive me crazy sometimes, probably because we were too much alike. As my Dad would say "The nuts don't fall too far from the tree." somedays I still just want to talk to her or show her some craft piece I've completed. She loved seeing my work, she taught me so many different crafts through early childhood and as my girl scout leader. Our last crafting together was my making Christmas cards for her to send, she designed them while I made them as her tremor was too advanced to make them herself. Rest in Peace, Mommy...

The Creative Connection

More Srabble news

I'm so excited, Scrabble is coming out on Nintendo DS. I bought a DS lite and some word and card games for it recently. I play it when I'm restless and enjoy it. I am psyched that they are coming out with Scrabble for it. I haven't posted in eons because I was busy grieving my Dad's loss and helping take care of my Mom. I recently became able to tell stories of my Dad and look at pictures of him without crying, which is a big step, I think. I am able to remember all the happy times without sadness, but still miss him so. I couldn't have gotten through it without the support of my friends.

pic2color

Yellow Color Study Round Robin

Rebecca is hosting a Yellow Color Study Round Robin for CQ4Newbies and has been gracious enough to allow me to participate. I pieced this 10" Crazy Quilt block in shades of yellow, thanks to stash enabling by Crazy Judyth, Susan & Candi. I will be receiving a friend's yellow block per month for 5 months which I am to embellish 2 seams and 1 patch with all sorts of yellow embellishments, beads, buttons, silk ribbon embroidery, etc. and the 6th month this block will come home to me, having been embellished by 5 friends. this all begins September 1st, but I have my block ready to go!

Patches, our darling crazy cat

Yesterday, my sweet hubby purchased an adorable plush and cozy bed/house made from faux fur plush leopard for Patches and put in in her favorite little corner in the bedroom, so last night she took up space in another bare corner! Took this shot today, she is photogenic, I think. Right now she is perched on the very tip top of my executive desk chair whose back is higher than my head and she springs there straight from the floor. It always startles us. She is a noisy little chatterer and is good company.

This is a CQ block I made for Linda in memory of a tragic loss in her life. There is an angel charm, and the silkie says It is time to seek the Lord. Linda is a devout Christian and has my sincere sympathies for her family's loss.

Hearts and Flower Showers By CQ4Newbies

This is a CQ block I made for Lori to celebrate her receiving a new kidney and wish her a speedy recovery. She is a wonderful needle artist and great friend.

Books I love

Pet Therapy

I brought Dad's beloved dog, Toby to visit him at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in June 2008.

This is Dad shortly after marrying Mom in 1947, I recently scrapbooked the photo.

RIP, Daddy, My Hero, My Best Friend

I lost the World's Best Dad, Warren Patrick Squire on June 20, 1984 at nearly 8:00 AM at Haven Hospice in Edison, NJ. Dad and I were alone, as he peacefully drew his last breath and went to meet his maker. I could barely get out of bed for a week, fortunately I married my other Best Friend and Bill is so supportive, as are my friends. After 3 weeks, I am out in the world again and functioning but miss him so very much. I have to look for a good photo of him to post.

Take the Quiz here!

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

My first crazy quilt hearts for SOH2

The dark purple above and dark green to the right don't photograph well, they are pure silk dupioni and are undershot with a contrasting color. The dragonfly wings above are sheer pale green silk organza ribbon.

The heart on the right shows my first button and bead trail. These hearts were stitched in December 2006 for the January 2007 Sharing Our Hearts 2 Swap in the CQforNewbies group. The colors are chosen from the recipient's favorites.

The heart at the top center is my third heart completed in January 2007 for the Feb 2007 swap. I love how my second button and bead trail turned out. I beaded a lace dragonfly motif and the flowers are silk ribbon embroidery. The recipient wanted unfinished edges. I can't believe I finally got these photos uploaded properly. It took many previous attempts and much frustration.