The Central PA Gathering of Fiber and Needlework Guilds in Harrisburg, PA was quite an event with 14 participating guilds (see http://www.gatheringofguilds.com/). It was such an interesting variety of crafts. There were talks going on all day and workshops offered.
I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of ANG members, Maddy who taught the ornament class and Carol from the Apple Needlepointers Chapter of ANG. It was interesting to participate in a class for people who just want to try needlepoint in a brief 1&1/2 hour class. She did a nice simple project that worked up quickly although it couldn’t be done in the short time we had. But, everyone was far enough along to take it with us and finish at home (seen below). I went rogue though and padded the area under the brown basket! Actually, that was begun by accident once I exceeded the stitch area making it uniquely my own. And, I added a reinforcing Nun’s finishing stitch (learned from the Ornament Quartet piece) before adding the outside border. There was no way I was getting out the iron to use the backing she provided so I used felt with an adhesive side. Done!
I also had a nice chat with Carol at their table and look forward to seeing her and hopefully a couple of more members again for an upcoming September class (subject of a future blog). Big surprise – I found a book that for $1 I couldn’t pass up on 4-way Bargello (like the last bookend I finished).
I was particularly interested in the straw artist, Linda Beiler (www.wheatweavingand straw art.com). Her work is just beautiful. Her 1-page bio that she hands out with each piece of her work describes the history of the art form, pays homage to the woman who introduced her to the craft, and shares that she has published a book on the topic. There is an international Wheat Weavers Association and she is a member of several state and local guilds/councils of arts/crafts.
These make a lovely set from my mom’s ornament collection but I am not sure who made these. Nor can I credit the designer. Merry Christmas everyone & thanks for visiting my blog!
I think these are more of my Grandmother’s ornaments – Happy Holidays!
These are beautiful ornaments that I bid on and won at the ANG silent auction this year at Seminar in Philadelphia. The Diamond Geometric Ornament was stitched by Joyce P. and finished by Karen B. at The Pine Needle Shop. And, the Heart Ornament was stitched by Margaret Q. and finished by Sandy W. All of them did beautiful work. I do love ornaments and I think these are ones that can stay out throughout the year. I’m sure I have a little wall left somewhere!
The woman who made and sold these ornaments was only asking $1 for 3 of them! I gave her double that & still feel guilty. She should have gotten at least $2 for each! The embellishments were put on with a bit too much glue (I cleaned them up some). And, the continental/tent stitch is done slanting left to right instead of right to left. But, they are cute & are decorating my office at work!
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!
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