Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Favorite things give-away! Enter Now!!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Favorite things give-away! Enter Now!!: As promised.....lets have another Favorite Things give-away!!! Those seem to be the "favorite" give-aways.....you tell me your fav...

Circles

"Circles commonly represent unity, wholeness, and infinity. Without beginning or end, without sides or corners, the circle is also associated with the number one.

In some cases, there is a distinction between that which is contained within the circle and that which lies without."

Source http://altreligion.about.com/od/symbols/ig/Geometric-Shapes/Circles.htm

I have always been drawn to certain shapes. The two that really stand out for me are the circle and the hexagon. Recently I started exploring the circle in a stitched form. I was very inspired by embroiderer Chris Richards as she includes the circle shape in many of her embroideries. 

I drew a circle on muslin and then drew various sized circles inside. Some I marked off with little dots as I knew I wanted to create some spokes and needleweaving. I am posting a photo of my progress so far. I chose a very muted palette but can see more vibrant colours would be just as welcome. I will continue to experiment with the circle in a more three d format as I can see the addition of pockets, puffs, and holes would take the shape to another level. :) 

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: NEW PRIMITIVE FLOSS SET, GIFT BOXED, GIVE-AWAY, EN...

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: NEW PRIMITIVE FLOSS SET, GIFT BOXED, GIVE-AWAY, EN...: I picked 12 of the new Primitive colors and put together a gift box. Lets give one away! Drawing to be October 7th, lots of time to ent...

I've been really enjoying taking Karen Ruane's online course and have been playing with some ledger work. See photos. This shows I am very regimental and it is hard for me to be free in my design process. This is why I tend to lean to counted thread projects. I like the free form style of embroidery as well .... I just don't seem to be able to shake my tendencies towards symmetry and order. Guess I will just have to work on this. I have restarted reading The Artists Way by Julia Cameron so maybe it will help. I bought two children's books a few weeks ago. I was in search of The Princess and the Pea .... alas no luck but I did come home with Alice in Wonderland and The Secret Garden. Children's books always stir my imagination .... something that seems stinted now that I am an adult. I've managed about 3/4 of Alice so far and never realized how silly the book really is. Parts of it I really like and others not so much. I am also about half way through The White Princess. Phillipa Gregory's writing style appeals to my taste and of course anything Tudor-like I find enjoyable.
The Northwest Sampler Guild offered up a challenge this year .... we could purchase packets of silk for $5 and stitch whatever we wanted. The only stipulation was all threads had to be used somewhere on the piece. I chose a Prairie Schooler bookmark pattern. I added my own handmade buttons to the center of the flowers and used Nun stitch the edge. I used all Gloriana threads introducing a few different colours in addition to those received and was rather pleased with the result. See photos.

A New Year 2015

Well I see allot has happened since my last post. My dearest friend lost her son to brain cancer. What a great loss. He was a real trooper right up until the end. I can't even imagine losing one of my children .... even though they are all grown and flown so to speak. I have included a photo of Scott and me just after his first surgery. <3 p="">I am on a bit of a creative journey these days. Enjoying the online class of Karen Ruane. She is such a wonderful inspiration and mentor. I go to bed every night with a million ideas dancing in my head and awake the same way. I look forward to making notes, sketching and experimenting with my stitching. You can check her blog here http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/
I have included two of my ledger pages from her class.
I am busy preparing to teach my Button class in April. Not sure if anyone will sign up but I am having fun experimenting. Here are some of my singleton buttons for display.
 I am also trying to finish a challenge for the Northwest Sampler Guild in time for their yearly tea. I won't be attending but I can still participate. Participants received beautiful Gloriana silk threads and ribbon in very sizes and types and then have to stitch something with them. I chose a bookmark and will include some of my buttons on it. Photo to come upon it's completion.