Week One - part two

I've decided to try my hand at Romanian point lace. It is slow going because for some reason my hands want to cramp all the time. I do a few stitches and then rest and so on ..... My first project will just be a simple bookmark to practise the stitches. I'll probably just design my own since I haven't found any patterns I like. I am following "Romanian Point Lace" by Angela Thompson & Kathleen Waller. I had done a little practice piece of the braid about a year ago and couldn't remember how to crochet it. I found the instructions unclear, fortunately I found online a website that had much better diagrams. I've printed it off and keep it with the book. Here is the link http://lace.lacefairy.com/Lace/International/Romaniacord.gif
I've included a photo of the crocheted braid.

I've been pouring over the internet collecting photos of Marie Antoinette. She has inspired me to design something ..... still working on several ideas .... but let me just say they involve shoes, cake and big hair! Till we meet again ..... au revoir mes amis ....

Week One - part one

The first week of the new year has passed by very quickly. I spent most of my time cleaning and trying to organize my piles. These are creative piles of photos, thread, stitching, designing ... etc. things I want close at hand and only seem to miss when I clean up and put away. The piles are located in various locations throughout my house .... on the dining room table, small pile on the kitchen table, the piano .... etc., etc., you get the picture ....

I spent an evening printing off some of the many downloads clogging up my files, deleted, then filed them away in binders. Hope I can find the time to do some of the projects!

I am including a photo of my New Year's eve snack. I was feeling rather decadent and creative at the same time. I chopped up sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and drizzled over a small chunk of brie. I gave it a zap in the microwave and then adorned the plate with half of a sliced apple. Top it all off with a nice glass of wine and Bob's your Uncle ...... (or in this case he is my Uncle, lol).

Yesterday I enjoyed visiting with friends at the ANA (Arrowsmtih Needlearts) guild all-day stitch-in. This event takes place monthly in Qualicum Beach. The group also holds a half-day stitch-in and of course the monthly meeting. After the meeting I accompanied two stitching friends down to another meeting .... this time in Victoria. It's an hour and a half drive from Nanaimo .... maybe two hours from Qualicum. EGV (Embroiderers Guild of Victoria) have two meetings a month, one in the evening and another two weeks later during the day. There was a wonderful speaker on antique tools. She had a nice selection of implements and had great anecdotes to go with some of the pieces .... it was very interesting and made me want to run out to my nearest antique store and see what they have to offer. I will have to do some online googling to research some of the items she showed. One I will mention was called a "Nanny Pin". It's a metal pin worn at the throat and it hides a little sewing kit. There was a needle and black and white thread.

I finally started my first hexagon for my Quaker quilt. The motif has two little birds perched on a flowerpot, within a geometric pattern. I am stitching over one using Gloriana's Elizabethan Green.

Happy New Year!

I have always wanted to create my own blog, having been so inspired by so many creative people out there in cyber space. I made an attempt a few years ago but really wasn't terribly dedicated in my efforts. Here begins this new journey ....to quote Anne Shirley "Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it" ..... and that tomorrow is today for me!

Last night we rang in the new year with the new Star Trek movie. Great special affects, some good laughs, a beginning, an ending .... but the middle hopscotched around and the story was weak and confusing. In my opinion a bit of a disappointment ... and my hubby was in agreement.

The second feature was "Bridge to Teribithia" which I thought was a lovely adventure. Hubby thought it was good up until the little girl dies .... I suppose I enjoyed the tragedy of it all. Could little May Belle have been any sweeter .... she completely stole my heart.

Having recently had my cousin undergo DNA testing for genealogical purposes, I am happy to report we descend from William Bailey, born 1535 Bromham, Wiltshire, England. He was reportedly a weaver .... perhaps this is where I get my love of fabric and thread from? His grandson John came to New England in 1635. Later a great grandson Joel arrived and settled in PA. The question is which line do we descend from .... my mom and I have our work cut out for us in the genealogical journey!

After some online searching we have learned that John Bailey was a Quaker. This is an interesting discovery as I have been sometime planning (okay mostly in my head thus far) out the possibility of stitching a Quaker Quilt. I invision it in muted fall colours in linen and silks, with scattered Quaker motifs throughout.

Some exciting family news ..... our oldest son is engaged to be married. Congratulations Matt and Khieo .... welcome to our family. So now we wait to hear of the wedding location ... Australia, Thailand, or Canada!

If you are an avid needleworker please check out the link for my favourite local store called "The Stitchers Muse" Dione the proprietor is very helpful and has a shop full of eye candy that will surely entice!
Bliadhna Mhath Ùr! or Happy New Year!