Prints

I'm so lucky.   DH took me into Chicago to the

Smart Museum.    I wanted to see the 

Awash in Color

exhibit (which closes Jan 20th).

What a fantastic exhibit!   Loaded with wonderful

prints from Japanese and French artists.

The display was lovely and there were books

open to various sketches, too.

They had an i-pad (or something) that showed the 

many images needed to create one print - also, video

showing how the woodblocks were hand carved.

Provided a wonderful introduction to these creative prints.

and the COLORS!   Rich and elegant.   Some

full of details - some more modern and classy.

Try not to miss - if you are in the neighborhood!

Special thx to Marjorie

who had a wonderful post on her blog

about this exhibit.

Did I mention I purchased

the exhibit catalog?   It is loaded

with color photos ; )

Awash in Color: French and Japanese Prints

This is one of the images off the web site - 

Henri Riviere

Vegetable Garden at Ville-Hue (Saint-Briac), 1890

Woodblock print.

More images shown on their

Facebook Page.

gifts

Isn't this lovely?

I am so happy to have this lovely

heart stitched and finished by

CathyB blogging at

With Needle + Thread;

My Adventures in Stitching.

We have been on-line blogging friends

for years + finally met at House of Stitches earlier this year.

What a treat!!!

Her blog is loaded with needlework and travels

and treasures!!!   Head over ....

and ...

Isn't this pretty?

I enlarged the photo so you can see the detail.

This will give you an idea of the size.

This necklace was a gift from Marjorie

blogging at

Moonsilk Stitches. 

If you have not visited her blog -

get over for a visit.   She is always into the most creative stuff!!!  

Last,

I've had this bookmark pinned to my wall

for a few years now.

The image is from a woodblock print.  It is from the

Clarence Buckingham Collection.

Wild Pinks and Butterfly.

And, I just noticed on the AIC web site,

that they have PART ONE of a Japanese Print exhibit

(gallery 107) from the 

Clarence Buckingham Collection.

Hurry, closes Jan 27, 2013

Bent Creek: Bunny

Bent Creek pattern

The Little Bunny

I used Sampler Threads from The Gentle Art:  

Pink Azalea, Willow, Oatmeal (blended with DMC 712), Evergreen; 

Simply Shaker Sampler Threads from The Gentle Art Harvest Basket, Grape Leaf; 

and DMC 3021. 

It took me awhile to find fabric for finishing.

I chose Heidi Grace Designs

Multi Circles on Yellow.

I don't think I will accomplish the 'finishing' until after the holidays.

Keep an eye on Cucki's blog

Cucki Stitching Cove

as she is next in line for the traveling pattern + envelope of embellishments.

(I just realized I forgot to add the bead on the flower!!  oops!!)

Gifts

Gifts in the mail ...

my Mom sent these ornaments:

Joy

Val's Stuff

JCS 2012

I know I've seen this ornament before,

tho, cannot recall where,

and don't know the designer!

Christmas Eve

Pickle Barrel Designs

JCS 2012

2013 Challenge ---- A Red Letter Year

Edited 12/03 (camera working again ...)

Have you visited

Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year

Blog?

I thought about 2013 + decided it was time to dig thru the wardrobe and pull out the Scarlet Letter projects I have tucked away.   I think this is all of them.     Each of these listed would be new starts - except for Ann Scutt (WIP).

Seven Possible projects for the challenge:

Polly Miner 1822   (which I really really like - worried about the crease in the linen tho)    This is a lovely alphabet sampler.   And, we all know how I enjoy alphabets!   I didn't see this on the web site - is available thru Hidden Staircase.      According to this pattern, the original sampler is at the Sheldon Museum in Middlebury, VT

Ann Scutt circa 1675 (WIP - I like this band sampler.   It is a challenge)

(Is back on the Scarlet Letter web site)

A Pastoral (surface embroidery sampler)   I don't see this one on line.   Possibly out of print?

Side by Side Band sampler circa 1650      This would be quite a needlework challenge.   It is like 2 samplers with an alphabet in between.   But pretty interesting.

Sibmacher Band Sampler of 1763   
From the German Sampler Museum in Celle, Germany

Ann L Brown (I had stitched some of the spot motifs in this charming sampler, had intended to stitch the whole thing one day.)

Now that I pulled this out of the closet - I realize how BIG this sampler would be as it is 25 count linen.   I did enjoy stitching the little spot motifs.    Not sure about this one - maybe on a 32 count linen!     Might be out of print.   I cannot locate it on line.

Joanna Warren 1655   Probably way over my head .... maybe some day.   It is a difficult sampler!

Two Scarlet Letter projects --- already framed:

N. Hinde 1778

Which I have already stitched - and thought I'd like to try it again on a different linen.

Circling Alphabets

I had more fun stitching this sampler.   And, I changed the inside rectangle to stitch my name.   Also, changed up a bit of the alphabets and numbers to include the date (2003).    I have had it hanging up since it was framed.    

Looking at the list of participants - (list growing daily) - this should be a fantastic year for samplers!

As part of the rules .... each of the posts on Nicola's group blog are to have the following labels:

Your Name,

Name of the Sampler,

Status of Sampler ie New Start, WIP, Finish or Framed

(use “Framed” if you include a new post showing a photo of a framed piece you have previously posted as a “Finish”).

Traveling Bunny ....

I was looking forward to receiving the envelope with

the Bent Creek pattern

The Little Bunny.

What surprised me (aren't needleworkers generous) 

was all the items that came along with the traveling pattern ; )

This beautiful heart is hanging on my calendar.

It was sent in the envelope with

the Traveling Bunny pattern (+ goodies).

?

Isn't this lovely?      (front above -- back below)

It was from Lee,

who has a nice post with photo of her bunny - HERE.

If you are not familiar with Lee's blog --- head right over!

Gracie tucked in an envelope of

fibers, floss cards, and tapestry needles.

Have you visited her blog?   Go to

Needles Pins and Dragonflies ; )

Look what Annie added to the traveling pattern (envelope).

Her charming bunny post is HERE.   Another wonderful blog!

And, here are more textiles!   Bea (Canada) tucked in the

lovely heart charms.   Not sure who added the awesome fibers!

When I was reading Lee's blog post, she said she traced

the traveling bunny from America to England.   Back to America.

After a few stitchers, went to Annette (California Stitcher) to 

Bea in Canada, and to New Zealand.    

Before I received the pattern, it had been in the hands of

Anne and Gracie --- this week, when I finish my bunny

I will send it along to Cucki in South Africa

who will send it to Kaye in Australia!!!

Stay tuned .....

Did you see this?

South Bend Red Round

I saw this on the Facebook page

of 

South Bend/Michiana

(Indiana) Chapter - EGA

Followed the link to Etsy Shop

This pattern was digitalized from a photo of a cross stitch piece owned by the

 Center for History in South Bend, Indiana.

The proceeds from the sale will support the framing and conservation of needlework pieces owned by the museum.

Challenge for 2013

Did you see this???

Nicola's 

Scarlet Letter Year ...

Challenge for 2013 ....

Link to Challenge Rules HERE.

And, you don't have to be a blogger to participate.

And, there are prizes, too!

How awesome is that?

I'm thinking about that lovely WIP sampler

and the alphabet kit I recently obtained.

Hmmmmmm ..... are there enough hours in the day?

YOUR PERFECT RECIPE?

WHAT IS YOUR PERFECT READING RECIPE?

Jennifer, blogging at Literate Housewife, asked ..... so, I thought I'd share.

My perfect recipe:

-Pop some popcorn (and, not a skinny bowl full)

- Brew some tea (Spiced Chai)

- I-pod on 'shuffle songs'

- Grab a good book (for me historical fiction with some fine art mixed in) 

- Get comfortable in the chair

- Switch on the lamp (this old fossil needs a good light for reading)

...... wait ...... wait

- Yep, wait for the Honey Bunny to jump up .... This kitty enjoys curling up in my lap under the book I'm reading.

Perfect recipe .... time to relax and turn the pages.

So sorry to see it go ....

The exhibit closes on the 16th.   What a beautiful

collection of paintings.   The winter scene (South Bend Museum of Art - Oliver Hotel Winter River Scene) was so lovely, I could have looked at it all afternoon!  

If you haven't visited - you still have a couple more days.

Exhibit closes 11/16.      

So, moving on to the next exhibits:

I admit looking forward to the Japanese Prints.

Opens December 1st (thru 3/17/13).

-------------------------------------------------

Brauer Museum of Art

Center for the Arts, Valparaiso University
1709 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383-6493

keeping the cats off the furniture ....

Nikki sitting on the back of the couch ....

Mr. Katt aka Simon on the back of the love seat ...

Honey Bunny sunning under the desk lamp.

using the box to my HK mug to rest her chin!

And, some good news via my e-mail ... I'm next in line for the traveling pattern,

Bent Creek's (The Littles) Bunny.   

It is coming from Annie - you can see what she did

with her stitched bunny HERE.    You may recall the pattern from

Lee's blog -- her post Much Traveled Bunny.   

I'll post when I have it stitched + I understand

there are two more stitchers in line for the pattern.   

Enjoy the day - stitch well.

Around the corner .....

Red cups at Starbuck's and

holiday stamps at the Post Office ....

Yep, right around the corner.

Honey Bunny said "Do Not Disturb" without

making a sound.

Good excuse to post pone the laundry until later today.

This is what happens when they have chicken for breakfast.

(left overs from dinner last night).

Little Red Riding Hood costume.

Dressed for Winter

Angel costume.

Visitors from MN ....

All last week, I was looking forward to the

week-end ... I met the delightful CathyB

(With Needle + Thread Blog)

and her Mom, Marlene.

Cathy + I have been blogging friends for several years and I was over-the-moon when she let me know there was a possibility to get together in Indiana!

We met at House of Stitches in LaPorte + enjoyed talking, shopping, 

and enhancing our stash ; )     Marlene and I had a tatting good time..   

Cathy has a lovely post on her blog w/photos ...

did I mention Ruth Ann from C Street Samplerworks 

was also there?    Cathy is the President of The C Street Fan Club!!!!!

Cathy gifted me with a tatted tarlet --- 

Isn't the tatted tartlet cute?   Thx so much!!!!

(Tatting by Marlene + finishing by Cathy)

I picked up Anna Brambles Sampler

and a beautiful wooden box for scissors + needles

 (DJV design needs to be stitched and mounted)

Until next time .....

I'm looking forward to The Giving Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini, the next

novel in the Elm Creek Quilt series.

Look for it Oct 30th!!!