Adorn

Milwaukee

>> August 25, 2009 – needlepoint, travel

These past few weeks have been a blur. I've been preparing for the ANG Seminar in Milwaukee. I'll be teaching three classes: Needlepoint on canvas which we will be painting, needlepoint on paper which we will be cutting, cropping, manipulating, and needlepoint in tiny frames which can be worn on chains or hung on walls.

I have also been working on lovely new items such as these very pretty scissor fobs. I'll put them up on the Orna shop when I get back from Milwaukee, (the price is irresistible).

I've completed all the models for the classes I'll be teaching in 2010.

Here are a few examples of Pinwheels, a class about color and tessellations.

and the Safari Sampler. I'm really happy with the final version, lots of wild color combinations and fun textures and stitches.

If you are planning to be at the seminar this year, please come by to say hello. Wednesday night is Expo night, a highlight of the seminar. I'll have a few tables with all my new "stuff", however if you don't find me at the table it's because I sneaked off (snuck off?) to see what I may want to buy from some of the other vendors. I always make a point of coming back with at least as many items as I had when I came.

I will have some new jewelry pieces with me at Expo night. When I get back home I'll put all these new items online.

It's 2:40 am. I've had four cups of coffee today and sleep doesn't seem to be on the way. I think I'll sneak into Nina's room and steal a few of those warm soft hugs that only sleeping children can provide.

night night...

Color, Colore, Couleur, I'll take it in any language!

>> August 17, 2009 – art, color

You know by now that I am a color addict. I see it, I feel it, I taste it.

I came across work by an Italian artist, Luisa De Santi, and I just spent an hour looking at her creations and smiling. What a wonderful mind, what a great imagination!

Take a look and then see some more here.

Sunday's best!

>> August 16, 2009 – designs in progress, kids, needlepoint

Today we drove down to Atlantic City for Nina's figure skating competition. Along with many other people driving in their convertibles, we made our way down to the shore to the Flyers Ice Rink. Remember how nervous I was last time? I stayed very calm this time. And Nina, she won a gold medal!

I've been working late every night, getting ready for the ANG Seminar in less than two weeks. Very exciting! Classes for the following year's seminar are displayed there. I've been stitching models for the classes I will be teaching. Here are some models for my classes:

There is more work to be done and I'll try to post a few photos before I leave.

It's past 1 AM and I'm almost asleep on th i s k ey b oa r d zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

What is this??

>> August 7, 2009 – color

(I have a house full of family from overseas. It's great to have them here but not much work getting done. ANG Seminar is creeping up and it's clear that there won't be much sleep around here. So much to do!)

I came across these fiber mixes, not sure what they are or what they are meant for. However, I don't think I need to tell you all that the colors stopped me in my tracks.

I'll be back next week when the house is back to normal, (normal? what's that?)

Carry me back to old Virginny.

>> July 22, 2009 – needlepoint, travel

I've just returned from six wonderful days visiting my dear friends in Virginia.

a room with a view

Michael and David have a great love for cooking and being on the receiving end of this love is not a bad place to be! Meals are seasoned with herbs from their delightful garden.

Flowering dill.

Parsley

A group of wonderful stitchers piloted my classes for the ANG Milwaukee Needlepoint Seminar taking place at the end of August. This is not the first time I have had the benefit of the expertise of these ladies and gentlemen. They are so talented and generous with their time and feedback.

For LET THERE BE LIGHT we painted the canvas, a first for the group. The class took place in the basement of The Virginia Quilt Museum among beautiful quilts which we carefully covered. With paint and water, you never know... All went swimmingly well!

One evening I was treated to a meal at the exquisite Joshua Wilton House in Harrisonburg. The simple flower arrangements gave a sense of casual beauty.

Nothing fussy. Just a beautiful bloom sitting on our table.

at the entrance

a vegetarian dish

a not-so vegetarian dish

zucchini blossoms

Our last day was devoted to A YEAR IN CARDS. We spent the day turning little needle treasures into greeting cards. This creation, by Michael, is on it's way to the framer so that it may grace a wall in their beautiful home.

Thank you, my friends!

Happy 4th!! (on the 5th)

>> July 5, 2009 – thoughts

I love this country. I have been given many wonderful gifts since coming here. I have been able to pursue my passions. I have been able to give my daughters amazing opportunities. I have made some very dear friends. I have been lucky.

Happy Birthday, USA, and thank you.

Too much fun to be healthy

>> June 28, 2009 – experimenting, thoughts

I am addicted to blogs. I spend more hours than I care to divulge, going from one blog to the next. I love the interior design blogs, the fashion blogs, the craft blogs, the art blogs. I have all the signs of an addict; "just this one little blog, then I"ll get right back to the laundry", "I will only surf for 10 minutes", or the best one is... "it's part of my work as it boosts my creativity", (which I really believe to be true). It's just sooooo much fun, but when I walk away from the computer 3 hours later (and it's 2 am), looking like a zombie - Can't be healthy!

That aside, I came across a blog that I must share with you.

A young woman in New York (where else?), decided to spend a year, 365 days, wearing the same simple black dress except accessorizing it differently everyday, not repeating a "look". I'm assuming she washes the dress between wears so let's put that aside. The blog has daily photos of her outfits and let me tell you she is amazing! Whether you love fashion or really couldn't care less, it is fascinating to see what she comes up with.