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.