tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57490502011-10-31T02:58:18.670-04:00White haired portly-petite embroideress goes blogging through life.Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.comBlogger6271100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-72050131190475261392010-12-13T14:37:00.002-04:002010-12-13T14:42:22.195-04:00

Oh no, books, books, books. I have visions of books dancing through my head - The heck with sugarplums. They of course want to sell books to you but their little newsletters are a good little read."Our last Medieval Herald for this year – Issue V/December 2010 is online. As December is Holiday time this newsletter holds a very special treat for all our readers: A Special Holiday Offer of 35%

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-91676889645305407192010-12-05T07:39:00.002-04:002010-12-05T07:54:34.824-04:00

Can we still find it amidst all the shopping, the electric displays and the bettering the Jones folks?I used to like going to my grandmother's at Christmas time because she had lights on her tree whereas my Dad was dead set "agin" them. We strung a lot of cranberries and popcorn and made more than one paper chain at our house. I'm lucky in having a collection of ornaments gifted me by friends

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-2716403551295300602010-11-24T08:47:00.002-04:002010-11-24T08:56:53.989-04:00

Run don't walk to http://boydellandbrewer.com/ to take advantage of their upcoming 48 hour sale.Boydell and Brewer are publishers of scholarly works including the catalogs of university presses, societies, etc. They are not "cheap" but have titles not seen elsewhere. Their current catalog of medieval studies includes some 89 pages of titles. You can sometimes find that they have printed not

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-90631760832533622702010-10-28T09:08:00.002-04:002010-10-28T09:22:06.728-04:00

It is amazing what you find when you tidy up your stash, isn't it? I've had a go at threads lately and found stuff I forgot I had.Now, the question is - what to do with some of it. Several batches of thread left from my teaching days will go to local schools and hopefully I'll get rid of some inventory of books by having a sale.So - until November 2 you will get a 10% discount on anything you

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-14611637769773732952010-10-21T09:48:00.002-04:002010-10-21T09:53:08.110-04:00

I'm fortunate in having a large grove of very tall trees outside my balcony. There is a variety of various sorts of trees and with each changing season the colors of the leaves change as well. We are getting into fall here in Tennessee now and the trees offer all sorts of colors - from green to yellow to russet to flame. It is amazing that this sometimes happens overnight. I never know what

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-51598376492082648192010-08-30T06:00:00.000-04:002010-08-30T06:00:09.641-04:00

Jane Campion's film Bright Star based on the short but intense Regency romance of John Keats and Fanny Brawne has my vote for good watching on several fronts. I must admit I'm a pushover for lush costuming, nearly airbrushed cinetography and unabashed romance. When you put all these in the hands of Jane Campion (a producer/director of all things wonderful from Down Under) you have a winner in my

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-29960631930047030432010-07-20T20:19:00.002-04:002010-07-20T20:45:42.587-04:00

I think we all have had the experience of stitching a wonderful design and then searching for the ideal frame, box, etc. to showcase our stitching.But did you ever have a frame that simply calls for some beautiful stitching and then find ourselves hunting for a design to fit the frame?I can't resist old frames and have quite a stack of what is now known as "shabby chic" frames. In days past I

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-23823462227441355422010-06-23T11:29:00.003-04:002010-06-23T11:32:33.185-04:00

In a recent rummage for items to help flood victims I found more inventory of Nancy Sue Havener's designs. I put up another entire page of them. I think this is close to being a complete set of her published work but I only have 1 or 2 of each of the charts - so first come, first served.Take a look at all of her designs at http://www.skinnersisters.com/ns/page3.html

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-29191931186690563442010-06-22T15:40:00.002-04:002010-06-22T15:50:47.974-04:00

Some of you may have heard about our recent flood here in the Nashville area. Thankfully my home was not inundated except for rain overflow into our lowest level BUT many of our essential services went wacky as their mail yards, warehouses, sorting stations etc were soon under water and are still not rebuilt and restored.Internet service has been sporadic but seems to be stable now. Telephones

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-74279074895125589812010-06-19T18:27:00.002-04:002010-06-19T18:34:40.751-04:00

Here in the US we celebrate Father's Day tomorrow. I've taken a little time to think about the men in my life and am rather amazed at the number of skills I learned from them. I was fortunate in growing up in a small town and spent a lot of time with a father, grandfather, step-grandfather, an uncle, and two great uncles.I came up with a quick list of things they taught me including:How to ride

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-9164998135606829462010-04-14T21:27:00.002-04:002010-04-14T21:44:24.814-04:00

I was reminded today about a visit to Murano, Italy in October some years ago.Tourist season was over and only intrepid independent travelers were wandering the markets, the bridges, the canals and the other attractions of Venice.I was traveling with two friends and we sent to Murano for the day by ferry. We were met at the ferry by several "guides" to various glass factories. The island has

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-18321312433276395542010-04-13T15:26:00.003-04:002010-04-13T15:32:21.392-04:00

When my friend Nancy Sue Havener died she bequeathed to me her needlework library without any restrictions on its dispersal by me.After thinking about our many conversations about "what happens to our books" when we get run over by a big red double-decker bus in the heart of London, I believe I've figured out what she would have wished to have happen to her beloved books.You have a chance to

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-70518154735148798272010-04-01T01:17:00.002-04:002010-04-01T01:27:23.530-04:00

When I was a young child in the post-WWII years one of my favorite fun activities was coloring margarine.The dairy industry in the US had a very powerful influence on regulatory agencies at that time and they fought the sale of margarine (as opposed to butter) with all their might. What eventually evolved were regulations forbidding the sale of solored margarine products.So margarine was sold in

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-16493823645756280082010-03-29T14:24:00.003-04:002010-03-29T14:35:15.636-04:00

Hurry off to your local library or favorite book purchasing resource to get a copy of World Textiles, A Concise History by Mary Schoeser.ISBN 0-500-20369-5This volume is by an author with sound academic credentials AND a very readable writing style. It contains what amount to a series of essays on textile history. Each of the 10 essays can well stand alone for a comfortable study of the subject

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-21877384198780420802010-03-27T13:40:00.002-04:002010-03-27T13:53:27.713-04:00

I've been hibernating a good deal lately and watching some Old Old Old television. There were times during the 60's and 70's when I had no TV so I'm catching up on old series. Been going through several years worth of Quincy and Kojak.Of course immediately one notices our current progress in technology. Those poor cops/scientists who had to stop and use public telephones to communicate with

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-65768056503594308752010-03-23T13:44:00.002-04:002010-03-23T14:34:20.812-04:00

Seen in a catalog as a description for a shoe color: Hot WasabiNot too many years ago we wouldn't have immediately known that the color was green and the hue was "spicey"Now most of us are familiar

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-65347836415730960362010-01-02T20:55:00.002-04:002010-01-02T21:04:53.896-04:00

Well the ladybug population has much decreased but they left me thinking!!!As I scrambled to keep them out of drink cups and food I was reminded of the very useful little thingies I saw on a visit to Australia. Those folks are blessed (?) with an abundant supply of critters who want their food and drinks. They developed a handy answer by using a crocheted doily sort of lace weighted at the

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-70591810525600583912009-11-13T06:00:00.001-04:002009-11-13T06:00:04.185-04:00

After a recent hospitalization (hopefully the last for awhile) I was released to return home on Veterans Day even though I'd explained to physicians that transportation would be difficult on a holiday. I use Access Ride to toddle around Nashville and they are great but you have to book van rides 24 hours or so in advance and suddenly needing transportation on a holiday when all their scheduling

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-24242870275962419552009-11-07T23:13:00.002-04:002009-11-07T23:17:34.743-04:00

I've been reading a bit lately on the various insects used as dyes in the ancient world and wonder if I could dye anything with a mash of our local ladybugs.We are in the ladybug invasion season and I detest the miserable little beasts. I vacuum them up daily, swat them, blow them out of my keyboard and off my lamps and generally curse them soundly. I think I could easily gather enough to make

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-31230446665926253742009-11-03T23:58:00.002-04:002009-11-04T00:11:49.031-04:00

Back at the keyboard my friends and readers. During the past few days I've been luxuriating in a beautiful catalog from the Wien Museum that accompanied their exhibit titled "Grosser Auftritt - Mode der Ringstrassenzeit" ISBN: 978-3-85033-354-2The Ringstrasse Era was Vienna's Belle Epoque - that unreal, royalty ridden, mauvey twilight sort of period from the 1860's to 1910 or thereabouts.

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-22833103551723536142009-10-15T06:00:00.000-04:002009-10-15T06:00:06.047-04:00

One of the few newsletters to which I subscribe is the British Library Images Library . This issue notes images from a wide selection of their collections taking a look at myths and monsters.Of course I drifted over to the shop and saw several books assembled for an exhibit on Henry VIII. Rats!!! I don't own any of them and I covet all of them!!! The British Library, both in person and online

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-81397661482162742732009-10-14T16:55:00.004-04:002009-10-15T15:25:19.197-04:00

Get ready to be lost in eye candy. I check in every once in a while on ArtFund, a site dedicated to documenting art purchased with the purpose of keeping it in UK collections. A search of the term "textile" yields 239 images. The images are undoubtedly provided by the holding museums and vary in quality but are generally good and enlarged views are provided. Unfortunately sometimes no image is

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-40578387131711009382009-10-13T17:42:00.002-04:002009-10-13T17:46:12.107-04:00

Now I gave up games when I mastered Tetris and Leather Goddesses of Phobos (showing my age again) but the announcement of Medieval Games set for wii playstation seems enticing. Don't worry folks, I won't be spending time on it - I don't have the requisite toys to play with.

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-18387136778679385152009-10-12T16:03:00.003-04:002009-10-12T16:16:44.759-04:00

My friend Andrea (Giggles to some of us) posted a comment that took me right down memory lane. The past few years have caused me to curb my travel and a good deal of physical activity but oh boy the memories of my golden years are nothing short of glorious.Not only do I remember blackwork stitching with Steve in their Starbeck living room, but I remember the many arrivals on the local train at

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-50673804178887243202009-09-14T03:02:00.003-04:002009-09-14T03:26:56.749-04:00

I have been assembling some copies of my booklet 100 Blackwork Charts to be shipped to Nordic Needle today. I always say "every book has a story" and this one certainly has a tale to tell.It was the first book I assembled and sold. When I took a chance and took a table at Merchandise Night at EGA National Seminar in San Francisco in 1996 I panicked when I realized I had nothing to sell. I did

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-24810116416316652452009-09-07T00:25:00.002-04:002009-09-07T00:38:47.345-04:00

I couldn't pass up this link sent to me by ABE Books (a search for books engine). Come on! weird? books? two of my favs!!!But still you ask, what has this to do with textiles and/or crafts in general? or embroidery? or costume?"Try on" the title Monk Habits for Everyday People. Or for the woodworkers amongst us, Do It Yourself Coffins.

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-56282806258572877322009-08-30T06:00:00.000-04:002009-08-30T06:00:04.288-04:00

I was in Hobby Lobby today. Not shopping but browsing for inspiration. They had most or all of their Christmas merchandise out already.Amongst all of the glam and glitter they had a large selection of photoframe ornaments. They are an attractive size for mounting needlework for your favorite tree this year. Also picked up some free tip sheets on various techniques.The holiday catalogs are

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-67844975991387341512009-08-28T06:00:00.000-04:002009-08-28T06:00:10.080-04:00

I've been doing some slow reading lately. A little reading followed by a lot of thinking. It's left me with some ideas that need further exploration. Amongst these are other references to husifs stitched by soldiers and sailors for sweethearts and wives; "Os used as background filler for beaded pieces (or possibly raised embroidery) of biblical pictorial embroidery; and tiny purl roses formed

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-64380423074558517302009-08-27T00:03:00.003-04:002009-08-27T00:11:31.055-04:00

A reader recently asked:"Can you tell me Schwartzenbergers first name please? "I'm assuming you mean the early modelbuch publisher of Augsburg. If so, Lotz gives his first name as Johan from the title page of his 1534 Ain new Formbuchlin". Lotz 9aBibliographia der Modelbucher von Arthur Lotz, Verlag Karl W. Hiersemann, Leipzig 1933, p. 53I hope this is the information you seek and this answer

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-49037340623388018042009-08-22T15:24:00.003-04:002009-08-22T15:32:56.661-04:00

India Club caters to a large Indian community residing in the US as well as those fascinated by Indian culture(s).If you do a little keyword search from the homepage for "embroidery" you will turn up some books not on the shelves of your local book megastore.BUT, if you don't watch out you will drift over to the cookery section and after about 1.5 minutes run to the kitchen and get out the

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-26442958170428234772009-08-21T06:00:00.001-04:002009-08-21T10:59:37.011-04:00

The Textile Society of America is a grand sort of organization which is inclusive in its membership and participation. It exists to bring together all those involved or interested in textiles whether they be anthropologists, artists, designers, educators, artisans or those who just "love textiles."They sponsor several events during the year, publish research, fund research and generally "do good"

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-43111791858523677492009-08-20T06:00:00.001-04:002009-08-20T06:00:03.498-04:00

Check out the short article on the History of Chinese Cabinets at the Silk Road site. This is a commercial site but it has heaps of quirky and interesting bits and stuff.Seems traditionally the lovely wooden kitchen cabinets had open work topside so vegetables and fruit could be stored there with plenty of circulating air to keep them fresh. The bottom of the tall cabinet had solid doors and

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-10959308667124280582009-08-19T06:00:00.001-04:002009-08-19T14:02:13.517-04:00

The Kovels have written on the subject of antiques of every sort for ages. They've published newsletters, price guides and written books about "old stuff".Every once in a while they write about needlework and their latest online weekly newsletter has a few comments about mourning samplers. I sometimes agree with their opinions and values and sometimes not. But, I could say that of most "experts"

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-10128215950700714622009-08-18T18:34:00.000-04:002009-08-18T18:34:00.146-04:00

Try out Tatyana's Etsy shop for some bits and bobs for your Etsy shop or otherwise - or ask for custom designs. Several needlework themes are available.While you are there hop on over to some other Etsy shopfronts. I am always amazed to see the innovative and beautiful handcrafted items on offer at very reasonable prices. Avoid the local pricey Ye Olde Gifte Shoppe and put your money directly in

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-17087578363851858662009-08-17T06:00:00.000-04:002009-08-17T06:00:04.233-04:00

The Department of Physics and Astronomy, Georgia State University maintains a site so rich in information and links and commentary you may come away inebriated with knowledge and even further questions. Let a kid read it and they will drive the entire family nuts with trivia.Go check it out at HyperPhysics . When you arrive click on "Light And Vision" and then click further down to "

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-12347915506524101672009-08-16T06:30:00.001-04:002009-08-16T06:30:00.461-04:00

Then GO TO Beading Daily for heaps and heaps of free projects including an opportunity to download one of Interweave Press' booklets of 5 beaded earring designs.Be careful, you could get lost in the Land of Beads and need to send for help.

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-28395957932112661902009-08-15T15:05:00.003-04:002009-08-15T15:14:25.031-04:00

I continue to discover new and delightful things about Nashville. The other day when traveling through a neighborhood I'd not before visited, I was charmed by a sort of architectural flourish.In California (home of a good many craftsman style buildings) a sort of varient on the craftsman bungalow exists that adds a Chinese influenced roof to the occasional building. The roof itself is typically

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-58809472263254718142009-08-14T20:27:00.003-04:002009-08-15T06:29:12.920-04:00

Dharma Trading is one of my favorites. It is one of the most enlightened, service oriented, knowledge ridden vendors I know. I've actually visited their retail store some years ago with my friend Gill Thomas and family. In reality we also visited the warehouse as well because we picked the first address we ran across in our printed materials. Their print catalog is a primer in all things

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-28564479192769924042009-08-14T17:59:00.003-04:002009-08-14T18:03:51.567-04:00

Art Consulting Scandinavia has moved to a new physical location but their website is still in the same place:http://www.nordicartbooks.com/Their book selection is a delight. They are not in the inexpensive category of booksellers, but they often have exquisite books not found easily outside of Scandinavia and I have always experienced excellent service from them.Have a few minutes of dream time

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-42170536184204462292009-08-14T14:15:00.002-04:002009-08-14T14:18:44.588-04:00

Well goodness, August is the anniversary month of the start of this blog. My first posts were six years ago in 2003. I never kept a written journal that long. I've done better and worse at keeping up with the blog depending on "Life The Universe And Everything", but I'm still in there swinging.So I look forward to another year of needlework and needlework blogging.

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-85489566482753799932009-08-12T19:20:00.003-04:002009-08-12T19:30:24.416-04:00

I do feel better now however. Boring details include a trip to my regular clinic for a followup appointment a week ago last Monday and a trip to the ER from the clinic via ambulance (no lights or siren kiddos).We have emerged lighter on the other side and am home today having shed right about 2 Gal. of fluid from our chest cavity thanks to 4 thoracentisis jabs, 4 CT Scans, 2 Ultrasounds, 1

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-66626168081454591562009-05-25T07:51:00.003-04:002009-05-25T08:10:21.309-04:00

Once in a blue moon a museum mounts a very specialized exhibit centered on a rather narrow family of textiles.In 1973 the Musee des Arts Decoratifs assembled from their extensive collection an exhibit comprised of 506 braids, fringes, tassels, decorative motifs and every other sort of opulant decorative excess the French so adore and at which they excell in production and application.The catalog

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-31286782096632518192009-05-18T00:21:00.003-04:002009-05-18T00:39:21.016-04:00

I'm often on my soapbox about becoming involved in the culture and historic timeline surrounding the textiles we examine, discuss and struggle to understand.Sooooooooo currently I'm reading Geoffrey Barraclough's The Origins of Modern Germany . This survey study covers the period 800-1939 CE.My head is swimming folks. I'm feeling as if I'm watching a synchronized swimming event. The

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-61041916487469684242009-05-15T22:53:00.003-04:002009-05-15T23:00:04.943-04:00

It's getting warm enough here that if I didn't have air conditioning, I would be setting aside any wool fibers or bulky projects.Just as we used to eat foodstuffs in season, we used to put down unseasonable knitting, crochet, quilting, stitchery or crafts of any sort during the height of winter or summer.In warm humid months wool yarns and fabrics tended to make us cranky. In the winter months,

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-30250062008121900962009-05-15T00:13:00.002-04:002009-05-15T00:19:09.011-04:00

When you see me on a soapbox railing against faux paint finishes for walls and chairs and tables (let alone crackle which has crept back) you know I've been watching too much interior design TV.I thought we left some of that creepy stuff behind in the 60's but apparently it has been lying dormant and we now have a resurgent epidemic.The only faux technique I've ever admired was some of the 18th/

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-86420834060853346992009-05-12T20:07:00.002-04:002009-05-12T20:15:14.828-04:00

No, I haven't been blogging. So, what has been going on here. A series of ailments to tedious to discuss and the ongoing task of downsizing. UPS has been busy lately hauling things away to new homes and I've found an AMVETS thrift store that will swing by and carry away away a box now and then.The most encouraging progress seems rather trivial in some respects but (1) I now have a table

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-35393772879041061522009-03-16T16:11:00.002-04:002009-03-16T18:46:01.482-04:00

Did you ever get so used to using a particular fiber for something that you don't even consider using another ? When it comes to reversible blackwork I have typically used Shantung Silk from Texere in Northern England. In my hands it doesn't fuzz or shred as it has a pretty firm twist.But a few days ago Dena Lenham, the designer contact at Kreinik, e-mailed me to check on why I'd taken such a

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-8755600775935210272009-02-20T07:18:00.002-04:002009-02-20T07:23:05.810-04:00

Kent State University is the home of a fashion/textile design department and their well done webpage can keep you busy for ages. I popped in at the Dictionary of Fashion but then was enticed to flip pages both up and down their visual exhibits (past, present and future). What a delight. Don't however blame me if enter there and forget something in the kitchen until you've scorched a pot to

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-69716037641327189902009-02-18T00:40:00.003-04:002009-02-18T00:53:02.377-04:00

If I bought lottery tickets and if one of them was a winning ticket, I'd be in Parma, Italy May 8-10 (and undoubtedly a few extra days) for the 2009 Forum Italian Invita I'd be taking a workshop; I'd be examining antique textiles; I'd be engaging other embroidery history addicts in discussion and I'd probably be spending far too much on stash.AND can you imagine asparagus season combined with

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-22580029826646137412009-02-13T03:04:00.002-04:002009-02-13T03:11:46.123-04:00

One of the things I missed the most whilst flattened and floored was news of friends but sitting at the computer was simply beyond my abilities.One blog I missed greatly was that of Sharon B -- now Pin Tangle rather than In A Minute Ago. Sometimes I think Sharon delights in making this poor old brain of mine learn new turns and directions. I just get comfy with her blog and she shakes it all up

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-63690761088732028702009-02-11T02:44:00.003-04:002009-02-11T02:54:48.725-04:00

Times are tough for many of us now. The national economy sags, jobs are lost, overtime pay disappears, our retirement income shrinks and none of our Euros, Dollars or Rupees buys as much as they used to. So, what to do? One of the best things to do is shop from our stash. It is the rare person amongst us who doesn't have a few bins, bags and boxes full of needlework supplies as well as charts

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-16614225193745835132009-02-10T02:28:00.004-04:002009-02-10T02:41:38.512-04:00

I've had a couple of recent orders from Aussie stitchers and it's caused a regular flood of fond memories of my one visit to the country that is a continent.I had a bit of windfall money a few years ago so I offered an all expense paid holiday to my sisters. Billie wanted to go to Australia, so off we went. We landed in Sydney and shocked the natives by driving up to Brisbane and Gladstone

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-26453666123258233452009-02-09T00:20:00.004-04:002009-02-09T00:50:16.334-04:00

Since 2005 I've stitched one Christmas ornament. Full stop, that's all folks. In good moments I've read needlework books and in those terrible midnight hours of despair I've watched criminals make their pleas to parole boards and fat brides being stuffed into $6,000 wedding gowns.BUT - some of the books I've had time to properly read and think about for the first time have been an absolute

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-84344948423981841012009-02-08T21:49:00.002-04:002009-02-08T22:04:43.120-04:00

Thanks for all the kind comments sent my way. I'm beginning to sort things out. While I was flattened and away from my keyboard, my server service managed to fail to automatically renew my domain name so when I straightened that out, the website popped up again. Flawed and very out of date, but at least there. Now I'm working on updating it and I've popped a discount on the shopping cart in

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-61955270433751849912009-02-05T16:55:00.001-04:002009-02-05T16:58:22.965-04:00

I don't always discuss my health in public. I came from a long line of women who dictated that three subjects were not fit for public discussion (1) your health (2) your wealth (3) your religion. What a nightmare my last few years have been. From April 13, 2005 until yesterday I had not one day without unremitting, excruciating back and hip pain as well as recurring bouts of anemia and more

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-87531183068409451982009-01-28T17:15:00.002-04:002009-01-28T17:27:16.333-04:00

Oh gosh what an endless nightmare - or at least it seemed like one. Still scratching intermittant hives, still creaking around with a non-functioning back. BUT the biggest problem has been struggling to convince management at my government subsidized apartment that I really need all my stash and needlework library. They don't stitch by the way. I finally arranged and re-arranged everything

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-78039754013175626782008-11-05T01:05:00.003-04:002008-11-05T01:16:56.055-04:00

I often get queries from folks who seem to know I love needlework trivia and have a decent library of needlework and art books in which to delve for answers. I always try my best to help out on questions with the exception of the "tell me everything you know about blackwork" sort which I like to think were sent out of naivete and not general laziness of the sender.As with any other discipline,

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-539721355845702942008-11-03T00:51:00.002-04:002008-11-03T01:02:02.812-04:00

Still a little itchy so I've been reading a good deal. I'm less inclined to scratch with a book in my hands.Pat Earnshaw is one of my favorite experts and I'll add any book of hers to my collection. This in spite of the fact that her great love is lacemaking. Her research is extensive and well documented; her writing style straightforward and easily understood (without dumbing down her subject

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-48161513977266798072008-10-24T02:42:00.002-04:002008-10-24T02:56:27.795-04:00

After over a month under the influence of antihistimines (thank you episode of hives) I'm beginning to wake up again. Only one mildly itchy spot to report.Now to get on with life. Tonight or rather this morning at 1:00 a.m., we had quite an eventfull revielle at the ye olde Upper Shambles II housing complex. (The name is changed to protect the innocent). 200+ apartments emptied their blue

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-21086587035207959742008-09-24T07:04:00.002-04:002008-09-24T07:13:55.137-04:00

Oh gosh, something has given me a raging case of hives. I'm reminded of my youth and the weeks I suffered through a case of the measles. We had childhood diseases in the 1940's my dears.Mom sat by my bed for hours to keep me from scratching. She read countless books and stitched on a project from McCall's - their cross stitch pheasants design. It was iron on transfers in those days but she

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-7196746019807995522008-09-16T08:50:00.002-04:002008-09-16T09:06:57.112-04:00

We've nearly lost the ability to produce many of the embroidery techniques from the golden ages of embroidery.One that comes to mind is that of needlepoint (no not canvas work). Needlelace has begun to show its head above the horizon again here and there. Americans are becoming fascinated with the various techniques and regional forms and European practitioners are banding together to preserve

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-76567512735239747852008-09-07T22:51:00.003-04:002008-09-07T23:02:18.199-04:00

Everyone has that ONE mega needlework book that would required for being stranded on a desert island. Mine is The Needleworker's Dictionary by Pamela Clabburn. It is 296 pages of well researched and well written information.As with many books of this sort that are compilations of information, it is not meant to be read cover to cover in a race with the clock. It is meant to be dipped into.I

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-42533590615813237602008-09-06T22:50:00.005-04:002008-09-06T22:56:02.334-04:00

I adore working itty bitty stuff. Give me a scrap of silk gauze and I'm a happy camper. One of my favorite leisure stitching projects is oriental carpets stitched on the stuff.And now I find that there are other mini fanatics out there and they have banded together. Warning!!! The Miniature Needlework Society site is one of those places that encourages you to keep clicking and clicking and

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-49752467601557698962008-09-05T19:23:00.003-04:002008-09-05T19:40:05.944-04:00

The Subversive Stitch. The title of this publication is a bit confusing on first glance. It actually is an exhibit catalogue for two exhibits mounted by the Whitworth Art Gallery (Embroidery in Women's Lives 1300-1900) and the Cornerhouse Manchester (Women and Textiles Today).The exhibits were organized some four years after the publication of Rozsika Parker's The Subversive Stitch 1984).

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-57163766259673172672008-09-04T18:48:00.002-04:002008-09-04T19:10:47.393-04:00

After a few days at IEC (International Embroidery Conference - EGA) in Louisville, some thoughts and concerns have come to the forefront of my "little grey cells."I am concerned about how little original research we are pursuing in the field of embroidery. I see what often passes as "research" which amounts to reading of a select collection of literature on the subject and subsequent publication

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-81117441494750495972008-07-26T13:10:00.002-04:002008-07-26T13:19:42.438-04:00

Thanks to two awesome women, I'm going to be able to attend the upcoming IEC (International Embroidery Conference) in Louisville next month. I had not anticipated the ability to participate so not only will I be able to spend time with two inspiring friends but we'll be awash in a tidal pool of needlework.This is a conference that more nearly parallels the UK model of AGMs in that it focuses on

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-23776032399765775032008-07-23T10:41:00.002-04:002008-07-23T10:44:46.624-04:00

I don't crochet. Well, a little bit - but not enough to really know more than the difference between a double and a single.What a hoot to see the work of these stealthy crochet artists though. If anything might encourage me to ply a hook, this would be it.Check out Microfiber Militia, but get ready for a good giggle.

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-7843707995029936162008-07-20T02:01:00.003-04:002008-07-20T02:10:07.702-04:00

2008 has just been one of those "difficult" years that cycles through all our lives from time to time.Lugging heavy books and furniture around during packing and unpacking has aggravated the portion of my poor old arthritic spine that hasn't been chipped and chisled at so that it earned me a few days in the hospital and some weeks in bed unable to tap a key to blog because my fingers just refused

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-56353875187979446972008-06-06T17:51:00.002-04:002008-06-06T17:58:10.509-04:00

I recently wrote of how I shelve my books (by author) but some needleworkers prefer to shelve their collections by technique.A truly quixotic sort of shelving was adopted by Sir Robert Cotton whose splendid collection became a core addition to the British Library.He shelved his library in a series of bookcases surmounted by busts of the Roman emperors. This left the Lindesfarne Gospels with a

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-9601817954298690542008-05-28T05:31:00.002-04:002008-05-28T05:38:53.129-04:00

Stitches wind up with a plethora of names as they pass through centuries and cultures. One of the most diverse is the group of names used for what I prefer to call Double Running Stitch. I think it is the most practical, down-to-earth name for a stitch that has been variously known as Holbein stitch, true stitch, line stitch, square stitch, punto scrito (writing stitch) or Spanish Stitch.For an

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-7789732116456933902008-05-24T02:43:00.002-04:002008-05-24T02:50:36.701-04:00

The Embroiderers' Guild (UK) has uploaded several articles from past issues of Embroidery to their site. They include quite a few illustrations and this is a good place to gather a few articles by the great and good of embroidery. I'll download some articles from those issues I don't own but I have a yearning to hold the oldies in my hands. Amongst other activities, I read the ads for

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-65944597635707187742008-05-17T04:23:00.003-04:002008-05-17T04:33:49.112-04:00

I've been thinking a good deal about Sharon B's May challenge to take it further.One of the ways I try and make sense of what I do is by defining what ever it is, as clearly as I possibly can. I think most people do that. The way I see it is if you can’t talk about what you do, or haven’t taken care in how you think about what you do, how do you expect others to respect the way you spend your

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-17640825858100214082008-05-13T02:59:00.002-04:002008-05-13T03:21:56.000-04:00

Donald Johansson's Colors On the Web is another one of those "get lost for hours sites". Many sites and publications have great explanations of the color wheel but leave a mysterious feeling about hue, value, saturation and a few other concepts.Lots of good information for web designers including all the hexadecimal numbers and the colors considered web-safe for older monitors.I can see thread

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-45897325487022710132008-05-10T23:30:00.003-04:002008-05-10T23:51:58.528-04:00

I adore dingbats. If you've not run into them, you may fall in very strong like when you first play with them. They are great for decorating edges of publications, punching up fliers and brochures and spicing up correspondence.They are often found bundled with a font set and are little works of art. Now if you want to play and play and play with dingbats, try out Dingbats-UKThe usual waiver

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-44403797656401143372008-05-09T04:00:00.003-04:002008-05-09T04:04:33.201-04:00

Don't blame me if you click through to the MICHAEL site and get lost in one museum or another's online resources.Why didn't I know about the Egypt Centre when I was in Swansea. Guess I'll just have to go back. The sites vary in size of graphics, number of items and ease of use but what a nice shopping list.

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-68571122129093575012008-05-08T04:34:00.003-04:002008-05-08T04:43:45.620-04:00

When I left California many, many moons ago some of the boxes of embroidery/craft stuff just got all tossed together and sealed up. I was really in the worst throes of my bad back saga and just getting on the road was a superhuman accomplishment.Is it any wonder that I am now straightening out masses of threads and yarns. You do realize that if you give threads half a chance they immediately

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-75658695232153635372008-05-06T21:14:00.002-04:002008-05-06T21:31:38.212-04:00

As I was packing up books for this last move a friend said "well it will be easier this time because you can pack them all in alphabetical order just as you have them on the shelves here." No my dears, those pesky needlework books have to be packed by dimensions. First you create at least three piles --- large/overlarge, medium, and small. Then you start to fit them into small boxes fitting

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-66405614753487969032008-04-29T23:18:00.002-04:002008-04-29T23:34:56.502-04:00

My friends, reshelving books can be a dangerous occupation. I've been opening boxes of needlework books and getting them back on shelves again. Some of the boxes were not opened after my relocation from California to Tennessee so it is a pleasure coming upon books I've not seen for three years.One does tend to get carried away (lost) in page turning however. I'm enjoying my copy of Elizabethan

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-50521496954215062672008-04-28T12:09:00.003-04:002008-04-28T12:14:20.319-04:00

Well folks, I'm at last signing in from beautiful, almost downtown Madison, TN.All moved if you define having one room in which to live and one's bedroom presently packed to the rafters with boxes. The movers did a wonderful job of setting the heaviest boxes and furniture in front of all the electric outlets and the telephone jack. So it is unboxing and moving stuff about to free these

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-72235330330846225812008-03-12T10:14:00.002-04:002008-03-12T10:19:00.186-04:00

Yes, rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated. I've not been done in by a box of books falling on my cranium.Packing up a library given the restrictions of a wonky back has been a challenge however and I have to devote all my energy to that project if I'm to get moved.So, I'll be back full force when I've completed packing or finished the move (hopefully around April 1).Until then all

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-12937237585013575452008-01-31T22:53:00.001-04:002008-01-31T23:13:54.262-04:00

Well, goodness dearie, I'm barely squeezing in under the wire. It's not yet midnight, January 31 in Tennessee.I've been thinking a good deal about Sharon's challenge to us for January:"The key concept for January is a feeling we have all had, the feeling of admiration for another. Ask yourself who do you look up to and admire? Why? What is it you admire about them? This is a the first Take it

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-17246723958745075942008-01-29T17:24:00.000-04:002008-01-29T17:28:20.154-04:00

Gosh what a lot of stash I've accumulated in just a few short years here. Some of it did come with me from California. A big bag of it is going to my next guild meeting for anyone who wants it to cart it away.Thanks for all the good wishes sent my way. In answer to a question, I'm applying for apartment living in Nashville (or more specifically its burbs). A short move, but still requiring

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-67034080032927845512008-01-26T18:21:00.000-04:002008-01-26T18:35:44.983-04:00

While clawing my way up above the waves of being overwhelmed I have accomplished a few things.As I put together kits to teach a beginning reversible stitching class for my guild (Cheekwood EGA) I had a long and very sobering look at the book which I published years ago for the little sampler Blackwork for the Bewildered. I was chagrined by the quality of some of the graphics and stitch diagrams.

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-65969563829261818262008-01-20T00:18:00.000-04:002008-01-20T00:23:45.637-04:00

What a few weeks. I've been a little absent around here - but then again, maybe nobody noticed.Let me see. Argument with printer. I finally won. A little wonkiness in the health department, visit to dr and punctures by needles, think I'm on the right path now. Big order to get off to Nordic Needle for one of the new books. Grateful for the order and finally shipped. Finally caught up with

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-45466292522964133212007-12-27T07:15:00.000-04:002007-12-29T13:38:15.914-04:00

I was lucky enough yesterday to be invited to the home of one of my fellow Bedford Co. stitchers, Linda M.She modestly invited Libby and I to stop by her home to see her needlework ornament tree. Believe me, that was merely the tip of the iceberg. Her tree adorned with a multitude of stitched ornaments reaches nearly to the ceiling and seeing all of the canvaswork, perforated paper, cross

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-59783936549547596372007-12-26T11:12:00.000-04:002007-12-26T11:17:06.204-04:00

When I first started blogging several years ago many needlework designers were skeptical about using this method of communication. Ours is a very strange business though. All of us want to know about our favorite designers. We want to know about their inspirations, their struggles and successes.I'm on the lookout for fellow blogging designers and was delighted to find Laura J. Perrin blogging

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-37838807558042193122007-12-24T11:56:00.000-04:002007-12-24T12:06:40.155-04:00

As I have been slowly getting my art and needlework books listed on Library Thing, I've noticed I hadn't really taken a good look at the contents of many of them.I had a habit during my "going to the dayjob" years of buying books if they were reasonably priced, written by an author I knew and respected and were on a subject of interest. They then often got a cursory browse and shoved on the

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-68230264775356349632007-12-21T09:06:00.000-04:002007-12-21T09:19:44.147-04:00

Robin has elaborated further on our circus experience at Cirque DuSoleil's new production Kooza and the fun we had making some bits to send along with the program to Sharon B her daughter Eve and dh Jerry (a circus appreciating family if ever there was one).I don't normally splash out for slick promo programs at events but this one was especially for Eve. Then as Robin relates, when the clowns

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-54623367892751854022007-12-14T22:56:00.000-04:002007-12-15T07:25:54.808-04:00

Sharon B has initiated a discussion on "quick" crafting and slow cloth (done with deliberation,care and thought).How I stitch and craft depends entirely on the purpose of the finished piece. Some stuff is stitched PDQ (pretty d**n quick) to be used as a model or as a simple bit to add to a card or a stocking stuffer. Or the time my Gram and I offered to knit 100 dishrags for a church bazaar.

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-90104308372039818802007-12-11T00:29:00.000-04:002007-12-11T00:40:09.626-04:00

What a treat to go "under the bigtop" for a circus. Cirque du Soleil's latest production Koozatook me back to my childhood when circus was up close (even though there was no sawdust to smell). The colors were spectacular, the costumes sophisticated and although the production had plenty of sound and light, it missed the sometimes too glitzy atmosphere of many of the company's indoor/Vegas

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-20575171120868442082007-12-06T01:06:00.000-04:002007-12-06T01:20:30.415-04:00

Robin B. writes about creativity and Sharon B. is challenging many of us to think and then produce in a creative mode in 2008.There are several kinds of creativity for me. Yes I make samples/samplers but they aren't any pretty, pretty, pretty sort of thing. Usually just a ravelly bit of fabric (first bit to come out of the scrap box) and a bit of thread to try some stitches or a group of

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-89349986568035953432007-11-29T13:17:00.000-04:002007-11-29T13:21:46.399-04:00

It's about time more instructions, products, etc. were available in languages other than English. Yes, each culture publishes needlework offerings in their own language, but often non-English speaking stitchers wish they had more access to instructions that made sense to them.Kreinik now offers their free projects and charts in Spanish. Well done Doug.More on the last days of the westcoast

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-41964743252153254042007-11-26T19:16:00.000-04:002007-11-26T19:22:18.990-04:00

Or Not! The Trans Siberian Orchestra concert the other night was magic of the most intense sort. Lights, pyrotechnics, snow, dancing lighting gantrys and transfiguration of all sorts of musical memories.A great show - non-stop.Then Saturday a nice, clever group of women taking on beginning goldwork techniques. It was a delight to have a group that included costumers, sampler lovers, SCA and

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-82509492983500559102007-11-20T15:11:00.000-04:002007-11-20T15:14:02.116-04:00

Toddle on over to Robin Berry's blog to see some of the ATC's she worked on in class the other day.They are a lot of fun and it is so nice to have a project finished so quickly. Not always something that happens when you work with fibers and fabrics.

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-85392965979841317852007-11-19T14:55:00.000-04:002007-11-19T15:02:39.082-04:00

I'm spoiled in a big way here at Robin's. What a feast the other night with some of their historic friends. The costuming was stunning and boy can those folks cook. Good conversation, good food, eye candy all around - what more could be wanted.ATC class was super. Folks fell in love with some German designer off cuts I had along. They layered beautifully. Another big hit was the Kreinik

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-41850898898195142912007-11-17T02:30:00.000-04:002007-11-17T02:35:18.738-04:00

Well gentle readers, I'm back in the state I called home for many years and it really does feel comfortable.A trip to the markets to look at the beautiful produce here has me wanting to dance down the aisles twirling a shopping cart. How big, how plump, how fresh, how colorful and SUCH variety. Don't get me wrong - I really adore my new state but wish we had better truck gardening there.Off to

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-22518472796820671112007-11-13T22:29:00.000-04:002007-11-13T22:34:47.889-04:00

Until it appeared in their holiday catalog I couldn't let you know that Keepsake NeedleArts are now carrying another of my books 20th Century Sampler Motifs by The Jenny Brooks Company."And Nordic Needle now have my two latest books in their catalog.Your local shop can order any of the Nordic Needle offerings using their NN wholesale account or they can order them from me. So put them on your

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-77081448001600941652007-11-12T14:37:00.000-04:002007-11-12T14:43:50.948-04:00

How do I know it is now officially fall? Not by the change of time or the calendar.Last night was my first night in 2007 under The Winter Quilt. Now you understand this is not a pretty-pretty frou-frou quilt. It is as heavy as a horse blanket meant for Vermont. It has all sorts of bits of pieced blocks made from discarded wool clothing, is filled with a wool blanket and backed by striped grey

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-90474900397896513002007-11-11T23:21:00.000-04:002007-11-11T23:29:03.278-04:00

I've been a little quiet lately as I put some hours in preparing for my great West Coast Adventure. I need to be prepared for 4 different teaching experiences, but the best of the trip is the opportunity to spend time with my friends Robin and Will. I love visiting a home where one can get up or go to bed when one pleases and nobody seems offended, where you can toddle over to a cupboard and

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5749050.post-7975671642780004522007-11-03T22:14:00.000-04:002007-11-03T22:21:03.431-04:00

Isn't embroidery wonderful? You get to admire really beautiful STUFF!!!Here are a few bits for you - or in TNspeak y'all.David Claudon's Elizabeth I Transformations remind us that paper dolls are not new. Is anything really new under the sun. We merely re-interpret don't we?For a comprehensive look at images of Elizabeth I, lose yourself in this portrait page.Thanks to Racaire I spent far too

Linnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10207701302518493390noreply@blogger.com2