Saturday, January 18, 2014

Art-o-mat stone progress

I'm still working on those little stitched stones for Art-o-mat.  My self-imposed deadline of Dec. 31 went whooshing past but I'm trying not to beat myself up about it.  I'm making progress, slowly, but surely.  I'll get there eventually.

What are you working on this weekend?

Monday, January 13, 2014

squall stone completed

Thank you all for your kind comments on my last post.  I so appreciate your words of support while I manage this transition.
As I mentioned, I had time this weekend to stitch, and I did get out to the woods, and combined with your good thoughts, it has soothed my soul quite a bit.
This is what came from my fingers after hours and hours of stitching, a bit of a squall.

Winter has hit hard in the north woods.  The snow and brutal cold is enough to make one want to curl up tight and hold precious every bit of warmth you can muster.  When the storm withdraws it leaves us a little battered and nipped at the edges but at the same time with a landscape anew.  A white blank page glittered with hoar frost. 



This piece has a smooth stone from Lake Superior at its core.  Wrapped in creamy undyed wool from some hardy Minnesota sheep, it has been given many, many stitches (so many my fingers are too sore to hold a needle right now) and a jumble of icy glass beads.  A pebble is trapped beneath stitches, reminding us of the things we hold dear, even in the grip of a storm.

This Squall Stone measures approximately 2 1/2" x 3" and is stitched in shades of whites with touches of cream and iridescence.  It glitters in the light.

This stone has sold.  Thank you!



Saturday, January 11, 2014

restoring the soul


Well, hello!  It's been a while, and oh how I've missed this, and all of you.  Life does get complicated sometimes, doesn't it?

[Personal details redacted]


It isn't all doom and gloom though.  I had the day off yesterday so I decided to spend it restoring my soul.  I put some bark in the dye pot (full of snow), and started some stitches on a stone.


I gave Goose a bath (with a snack!  Lucky duck!) and chuckled as he nonchalantly groomed himself in the living room while Charlie and Blackjack looked on like peeping toms.



Today I'll work on that stone a little more and get out to the woods to enjoy some of this above-zero weather.  Maybe I'll get a peek at the flying squirrels that have made a home by our basement window.  I'll fill up the bird feeder for them to steal from, just in case they're sick of the popcorn we've been offering.  I'll probably do some laundry, and I'll definitely cuddle the kids, and generally enjoy my time here at home while working on that footing thing.

Warmest wishes to each of you.  Enjoy your weekend.