Happy Birthday Miranda

These monogrammed ponytail holders were a birthday gift for my sister-in-law. They measure 1 and 1/4" wide and were hand embroidered on linen by moi. She almost didn't get a matching set as I freehand embroidered both of them and those tiny stitches had me intensely... well, tense! But she is worth it. Miranda is a wonderful person, trusted friend, dedicated teacher, talented artist, devoted wife, beloved daughter, loving sister and cherished auntie.

The best gift is that she likes them. Happy (belated) birthday dear Miranda.

Useful Beauty

Here's my newest little cross stitch creation. There are plans to make more. It was a gift for my mom on Mother's Day. (Done on a 4" hoop, for those inquiring minds.) I've always enjoyed the beauty of a peacock. The feathers... the extraordinary combination of colors... the "help" holler. What a strange bird! My little bird was inspired by the following pic located below and here.

I'm not the only one who's pondered peacocks. "Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless; peacocks and lilies, for example."--John Ruskin. (The Stones of Venice, I)

Having never heard of peacock soup or having seen a peacock rug, I'm not sure what sort of real purpose they serve, other than beauty. But, isn't that enough? One of God's creations for us to enjoy.

The Bible (Proverbs 31:30) says that "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain..." but darned if I don't just love those peacock colors! And this isn't a woman, it's a bird. You can read the whole verse here. And mom deserves something pretty to look at, right?

Another mother's day gift given:

a simple handtowel, stitched with love.

Simple, useful and nice to look at... I've totally redeemed myself!

"V" Not For Vineyard

This is my most recent embroidered monogram. It was a gift for a dear friend, Vickie. It, too, came from my book. The monogram is on linen and mounted in a 4 inch hoop.

This should work well in Vickie's home, due to the grape theme. I also learned that the girl can refinish furniture like nobody's business. What can't she do?? (She's a wife, mother, school teacher, business woman, refinisher, all-around organized.) Another lesson in accomplishments in a friend that I can aspire towards. I think that is why we have the friends that we have. There's always characteristics in our closest friends that we hope to attain for ourselves. At least, I think that's what makes a friendship great - the inspiration to be better in some regard. Those friendships have contributed to how I've learned to be a better mom... a better wife... a better person. So...

Thanks, friends.

"S" not for Superman

At least I don't think Superman would care to have his "S" hand embroidered, curly style, on linen. Actually, I made this for our home. I'm pleased with my first attempt. There are so many more that I want to try from my new book. When the Compendium of Ancien Artistic Initials for Vintage Style Monograms arrived, it felt like my birthday. Characters, emblems and fonts... Oh My! Where to start? So. Hard. To. Choose.

To me, anything embroidered just feels better. Similarly, my father always said that food tasted better on nice dishes. So, occasionally, we'd pull out ma's good china and light a candle on the dinner table. He was right! Meatloaf, yum. But meatloaf on china, de-li-cious.

Maybe I should hang a bunch of monograms in the kitchen, and when I burn dinner, no one will notice!

{Edit: The monogram is on a five inch hoop.}

There's An Elephant In The Room

It takes a long time to make an elephant... 22 months if you want the real thing. 2 1/2 days if you'd like a silhouetted cross-stitched version. (I think they're both worth the wait.) Recently, I watched the Unforgettable Elephants documentary. They really are amazing animals. Intelligent. Caring. Strong. Tender. I mean, a person knows they have witnessed something remarkable when they see a baby elephant running, trumpeting or nuzzling mum.

It got me thinking to one of my favorite childhood stories. The Saggy Baggy Elephant. I grew up in the days of records. Real vinyl records. Most of my records came in read-along books. In my room, the record player would give a dramatic voice to the storybook in my little hands. As I followed along, a chime would sound when it was time to turn the page. It was magical. And while, as I would say it, "The Saaag-gy Baaag-gy El-fa-nunt" is no longer available in the 45 rpm form, it is the classic story of a dancing elephant. In high school, anytime I wore nylons (ugh) and they bunched up at my ankles (double ugh), I immediately mumbled to myself through pursed lips, "...saggy baggy elephant, Diane."

As a child, that elephant story kept me company many afternoons. Now, I have a sweet curly- trunked, stitch-y version. For you, I wish that there will always be an elephant in your room.

Darling, Danke Schoen

Since being bitten by the cross stitching bug, I knew I had to do this. (Trace Germany, pin to fabric, divide into thirds, stitch!) It's for my husband (H). Since he loves all things german, and he has recently returned to relearning german, (I think I frequently do that repetetive similar sound thing, only it's not on purpose - consciously) I thought that he might like this. (He does.) Memories were awakened about living in Germany as a child, earning metals on volksmarches and enjoying schnitzel.
* sigh* Gift complete.

In my mind, this silhouette of Germany could not remain all black... well, it would just look like a psychotherapist's ink blot. No good. So, what better way to identify Deutschland than with it's flag? More country silhouettes must be on the way because I can't keep my hands off atlases. Oh the colors, shapes and travel destinations!

Can anyone tell me what that rhyming repetitive language sound thing-y is called? (So eloquent.) Hopefully, because it's unconsciously done, it won't require deciphering from a therapist.

(Edit: rhyming, repetetive language thing-y is alliteration. Thanks everyone!)

Silhouettes

I have always thought of myself as someone who loves colors. And I guess I do, they just happen to be black and white. February was "flu month" at our house and so crafting took a back seat to getting everyone well. But, I did manage to turn out a little cross stitch pear silhouette. (Pears are yummy.) It was then that I realized there is a silhouette trend in my home. First, there was the sketch I made a few years ago of my scottish terrier named Silhouette. (It is inspired by Picasso's "The Dog".) Secondly, last year I cut a silhouette of my 4 month old daughter, Charlotte. A great deal of help was received from this book by Kathryn Flocken. Lastly, I have returned to cross stitching. Only, I didn't want any of those kits. It had to be original... and apparently black and white. (I have more in the works.) Now that I know I have a collection, I'm going to have to add to it. And sometimes things really are just black and white.