The ANG CyberPointers Chapter is holding a meeting and September’s topic is “What types of wearable art interest each of you?” What types of wearable art have you tried or would like to try? I love pins and earrings. I did do a Mill Hill beaded pin for a friend but I don’t have a picture of it. I have several kits & a couple are done but I don’t know that I can readily find them.
So, I will just share these pins that I found at flea markets. I have no idea who designed or created them but I wanted to share them. And, I skimmed The Crafter’s Guide to Taking Great Photos by Heidi Adnum that I bought at Ruth Kern Books at seminar. I think it’ll take some more reading (especially about the lighting) and practice but what doesn’t? I just love the umbrella and matching purse pin!
I’m quite sure that the top one in the photo below is not hand stitched but I liked the pattern. The one on the bottom right is under a plastic protector and has petit point.
On the first Mother’s Day since her passing, I am honoring her memory by posting the violin my Mom, Rita, made for me many years ago. It is a large piece 23 & 1/2 wide by 29 high (excluding the 2 & 1/4 inch wide frame). Mom worked on that off and over a 3-year period! I played violin from grade school through my early 30s joining a local community orchestra when I moved to Philly. After it disbanded, I put it away & finally donated it to our home town music teacher to find it a home. Earlier this year, I enjoyed a wonderful visit with my home town violin teacher.
I still display the stitched violin in our living room & was surprised when my bother commented that he could not find it on my blog! I do not know how I missed that in my first year of blogging. But, it seemed best to wait until today to share this piece. I love how dimension is brought to the piece by use of the shading. It was done in continental stitch because I remember seeing how askew the canvas was when it was done. And, Mom saying that the framer had a difficult time stretching it to block it. It was a counted piece – nothing stamped. She had quite a time getting the music notes & the strings placed to her liking. But, the violin and music turned out great. Love, miss, & think of you often.
I’m not sure who made these place mats & napkins but they look Christmasy. They have buttons & beads with a little gold embellishment stitched on them. Very good shape & makes a nice set with the different colored napkins.
This was done by my grandmother & could be any mountain range but my sister recalls that is that scene is the Grand Tetons. She also recalls that my grandmother dyed the threads for this piece herself by hand.
So, I decided to replace the wall hanging we had over our bed to with the pillow. Springtime in the Grand Tetons!
I’m still incorporating my grandmother’s vintage finished needlepoint pieces into our house. This hooked pillow was done by her many years ago. And, it is in very good shape. I think anything hooked is quite durable anyway.
For now anyway, this butterfly has landed in our rose garden (pillow on our bed). I am mixing cross-stitch & hooking but, thematically it works for me. And, the colors go together good enough.
As a recent member of the ANG Cyberpointers Chapter, I support our deploying armed forces with the Kissing Pillows community outreach project.
The current request is to support a member’s brother’s Navy Helicopter Squadron (HSM-70) who are deploying in spring 2011. The Chapter’s goal for this effort is to support one unit’s deployment, preferably entirely by ourselves (not needing any additional help from other chapters).
I’ve almost got 5 done for our own ANG Chapter’s, Mainline Stitchers, Kissing Pillows community outreach project. But since we haven’t set a deployment goal for a unit, I wanted to get these to Cyberpointers. They make such an easy project to carry with you or keep at work. Anyone else out there done some?
The Irish have a wonderful saying that my mother (whose birthday is today – yes, on Halloween) stitched for my husband for his birthday one year. Both his mother & father are Irish. It is a stamped cross stitch piece. Oddly enough, his mother picked that to be on the back her memorial card when she died. So, now, it make us think about both our mom’s! Happy Birthday Mom!!
Filed under: Soldier Kissing Pillows
The ANG MainLine Stitchers (PA) are beginning a new community service project, Soldier Family Kissing Pillows, for families of soldiers departing for service.
Over Labor Day weekend, I made up enough kits to make 300 pillows (I ran out of threads for the last few but had them done in no time after purchasing more threads). And, at our Sept meeting, I handed out materials to 12 of us who agreed to make 85 pillows. I had 6 free pretty purple bags with handles for folks agreeing to make 10 pillows & 12 clear plastic zipper bags for agreeing to do 5. After that, it’ll be boring ziplok bags. And, whoever stitches the most will get a special thank you gift.
This project is not about whether we are for or against war — it is about the loved ones left behind – especially the children. Stitching these pillows is a little something we can do to support our military and their families. The soldier kisses the pillow and gives one to each of his/her loved ones to hold onto until he/she returns from war. When this project began, it was for the children, but the mothers and wives requested them too. Then, the soldiers wanted one with everyone’s kisses on it to take with him/her off to war.
Unfortunately, not all soldiers return and so, some pillow recipients have died. Can you imagine how important that little pillow is to the family – it’s the last thing daddy or mommy gave them and it has their kiss on it. One chapter learned about a young soldier who was killed in Iraq. When his body arrived in the United States among his personal effects was a kissing pillow. It is believed he had it in his helmet when he was killed. His family placed it on top of the American Flag that draped his casket. The family contacted the chapter to express their gratitude – he died with all their kisses and that has given them comfort. Our military and their families have always and always will sacrifice for those of us remaining at home. Stitching these pillows will show our gratitude for their service.
The “kissing pillows” are small (4” x 4”) cross-stitched pillows that say “I LOVE YOU” with two red, white, & blue stars within a larger red heart. They work up quickly (2-3 hours). Once we have enough stitched, we’ll back them with fabrics in patriotic designs & stuff them.
P.S. I got great prices on the Aida & floss at http://www.createforless.com and the materials arrived promptly & in good condition. I highly recommend the site.
Donation, donate
This was another flea market find, the Yellow Rose. I love roses, it went with our bedroom colors, & I was fascinated by the simplicity of the stitching. I’m not sure what kind of stitching it is actually.
Our ANG Main Line Chapter is going to do the Soldier Family Kissing Pillows as our next community project. So, this is in honor of Geraldine (Jerry) Trappey) & her Yellow Rose Chapter of EGA. She has supplied the chart & supportive information for our efforts.
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