Hey, Check THIS Out!!

I was surfing around looking for something, and, as usually happens, I became thoroughly distracted!! I found these too-cool-for-words little wire soldiers which you MUST see! The site's in Russian, but the pictures are understandable in any language. I found it through another design site that is also thoroughly worth a visit...and I found THAT through 30gms, also VERY worth a visit...and I found 30gms through Subversive Crossstitch (featured in my sidebar now), which is a HOOT of a site! WARNING: SCS is NOT your everyday crossstitch site. Just so you know. (GRIN!)

Be daring! Be different! And I'll be back!

Sumptuous Surfaces Stuff

Sumptuous Surfaces Stuff
Originally uploaded by txstitchermom.

Here's my stuff for Sumptuous Surfaces, the class with Sharon B. through Joggles. I'm quite excited with it; we're about to get Lesson 3 and I'm having lots of fun. These are "neutral" colors -- turquoise, peach, miniature shells, beads, etc. Sorry I just didn't feel like chasing beads around the floor so you get to see them in their bags, but I think you can see the color pretty well. Stay tuned for the next part of our lessons!

Be curious! Be colorful! And I'll be back!!

Sanity By Any Other Name

Sanity By Any Other Name
Originally uploaded by txstitchermom.

Besides my other treasures (daughter, DH, dog), this piano is another. A/K/A sanity!! My paternal grandmother left it to me. It is a Fayette Cable (almost as good a reputation as a Steinway), late 1940's to very early 1950's, I believe, as near as I can research it. It is a wonderful instrument, and I am so very fortunate to have it.

I have been playing since I was 4 (*rather* over 40 years [grin]), including a stint as concert pianist in jr. high, choir accompanist in high school, and years during and after high school playing the pipe organ through my church (which was absolutely awesome...the music literally seems to flow through you and swirl around you).

There are too many times to mention when I have played out my sadness, my joys, my "what do I do now"s, and just for fun to celebrate all the small happinesses in my life. I'm grateful not only for the instrument, but also for the talent to use it -- it has saved my sanity many, many times and I hope it will do so for many, many years to come.

Be artful! Be creative and let it flow from your heart! And I'll be back!

Back So Soon?!

The 2007 Bead Journal Project is now seriously underway, and the folks involved are quite a talented bunch! I love poking through our posts and following others' links...you'll enjoy all of them when you visit the blog, but take a moment and visit the one that caught my fancy today!

Be inspired! Be inspiring! And I'll be back!

Wondering Why?

As I explain in my sidebar, the reason I named my blog "Ever Embellished" is not only for needlework/fiberart purposes. Embellishing happens in all areas of life. Sharing my garden and my treasures, thus, are embellishments of the life of Sarah Ellis. Plus, I was inspired!

My dear friend Pat Cummings has recently come into what I love to call (teasing her, of course!) an Embarassment of Riches. (grin!) A Person in her family who shall remain nameless dumped a truckload (literally) of textile items onto her front porch. At the Person's request. Said Person did not like, want, need or otherwise want to be concerned with said Textiles. So "poor" Pat got landed with what she loves most in the world besides her wonderful husband -- quilts! And splashers, aprons, lace-trimmed doilies, all KINDS of vintage goodies. And as she was describing her treasures to me (while I wiped the drool off my chin), I decided that I should share some of mine with y'all.

My collection is nowhere near Pat's, of course. But, like Pat, I value what I have and am thankful for the having of it. Thus, these first few pics!

There will be more pics later...as I finished sorting, I found quite a few hand-worked all-white handkerchiefs, which, after pressing and a little judicious mending (thank goodness my mother taught me these things!), I will post.

BTW, my mother also has her first mending basket, which comes with a separate lid, and has the wooden tools and special needles used for fixing holes in sock heels or toes, fixing holes in jeans, and all that other cool stuff. I've put in a request, but she's not coming off of anything yet. Sigh. (!!)

So, today, be careful, be caring, and I'll be back!

Three Lengths, Three Generations

Gloves' Three Lengths
Originally uploaded by txstitchermom.

Next after the clutch purses are carefully lifted out, we find my sets of gloves. I have six pairs -- evening (on the far left), tea (middle) and church (short, on right).

Now the following is simply a memory, nothing else. I remember when I was a little girl going to church with my family. Through second grade, children went to Sunday School. Parents came to pick them up after the worship service in the sanctuary was finished. Then in third grade, we all took a Bible class, taught by the Superintendent of Sunday School. At the end, we 'graduated', received our own Bible (which I still have), and were allowed to go upstairs to the "big church" with our parents. And I remember being so thrilled, made sure Daddy tied my bow on the back of my dress nice and big, and nearly skipped for happiness because I finally got to wear "big girl" gloves like Mom. The short ones there on the right.

Geez, that was SO long ago! But I hold dear these sets of gloves for all their equally wonderful memories -- some mine, some shared.

In the next couple days as I continue to show you my treasures, I'll try each pair on and photograph them so you can see the actual length up the arm. And yes, they do fit nicely (grin)!

Turquoise Oriental Purse

Turquoise Oriental Purse
Originally uploaded by txstitchermom.

This little beauty is another clutch purse, turquoise silk with an oriental flower motif on it. I don't know what it is about clutch purses, but I just love them, especially for evenings out, not that I get out all that much...

I bought this when I was still in high school. I was just enamoured of the color and the style. Since my birthday is in December, my birthstone is the turquoise, and turquoise jewelry or -colored anything is my all-time favorite in whatever area!

In my work this year, you'll be seeing a lot of turquoise used. Much of what I'm doing is for future dates. One is the Houston International Quilting Festival, about which I'm very excited and very nervous. And there are a couple opportunities here locally in which I've been invited to participate. Truthfully, I'm thrilled! As time goes on, however, I'll be posting a lot more of my smaller stuff as it gets done, and I'm not talking about WISPs!!! (Although Lord knows I've got plenty of them also!!)

Black Purse with Beaded Picots

Black Purse with Beaded Picots
Originally uploaded by txstitchermom.

Now, whereas the beaded clutch purse was soft-support, this one is stiff. The handle is very short, to be carried just over the wrist. You can easily see the little picots all around the edges; what you can't see as well (I have to work on my lighting, SORRY!!) is the beautifully beaded stem of roses and leaves on the flap of the purse. It is an exquisite example of beading.

Black Beaded Purse

Black Beaded Purse
Originally uploaded by txstitchermom.

First off the top comes the purses. This one is beaded in its entirety, with a 6" beaded tassel hanging from the zipper (that lump on the left there) and a rose picked out in gold embroidery on the bottom right corner. It's an evening clutch purse.

My Special Box

Scarf Box 1
Originally uploaded by txstitchermom.

Ok, now for some fun stuff!

I made this box probably almost thirty years ago. It's one of those pressed-cardboard boxes, about 8" high and maybe 12" long. It's covered in a simple printed muslin, with two layers of lace and beading around the edge (yes, I see that one area is loose...) and a few little ribbon flowers in the center. It was my first covered box!

In it, I have a very special collection -- textile accessories from the women in my family.

I've opened the lid, now let me share a few of my treasures with you...

My Lovely Cannas

Cannas3
Originally uploaded by txstitchermom.

OK, time for a break...enough of the inside for a sec, and out to my Secret Garden! This is a better sort of close-up of my cannas. Here you can see the intense orange of almost the entire flower, with the beautiful yellow trimming around each petal.

Last of the Basket Piles!

Last of the Basket Piles!
Originally uploaded by txstitchermom.

The last of it -- the four laundry-baskets-from-Michael's loads. Two hold research on various subjects within or applicable to the fiberarts world, one is learning techniques information, and one is recent WISPs and current projects. The latter you'll get to see over the course of the next few months as I clear through it all...perhaps slogging through it would be a better term! Oh well, I love this work, and I'm dedicated to doing my absolute best in all undertakings!

Studio Resources!

Studio Resources!
Originally uploaded by txstitchermom.

More books, and the drawers there, a double set, will hold my vintage and contemporary laces, trims and buttons. There's a TV and a small CD/radio on top -- those are VERY IMPORTANT RESOURCES -- music is a constant inspiration, and voices are company (sometimes)! These "bookshelves", BTW, are two plastic crates stacked on their sides.

Studio Closet Now

Closet Now Left 2
Originally uploaded by txstitchermom.

OK, here's the closet now -- quilting books and baskets of batting on shelf; backing sheeting and counted thread linens in bag hanging from hangers; and quilting hoop and embroidery bar stands hanging from hooks. It's a start...!!!

Freddy's New Home

Freddy's New Home
Originally uploaded by txstitchermom.

Well, a few posts ago, I wrote about the Giant Reading Pillow (frog!) that was bought for and rejected by DH. Humph. So, Freddy has moved into my new space. That's the end of the day bed on which he rests, by the window. I have to fix my focus next time so I can show his view out that window...my garden, my private space!

Black God X

Black God X
Originally uploaded by Susan Lenz.

You must go see this! Susan Lenz has just posted on Flickr her set called "Black God Series", and it is absolutely stunning! I have been lurking and learning about Altered Art, and, IMHO, this is an incredible illustration of the beauty of the medium!

WOW! -- FREE Online Needlework Magazine!!

Hey, y'all!! I have my fingers in a lot of pies, most of us creative sorts do. In addition to enjoying poking around in French and German, my fiber loves range from counted thread techniques through quilting to embellishment techniques such as encaustic work or rusting.

Soooo, in my various pokings-around, I found the following wonderful link --

http://www.wiehler-gobelin.com/en/magazin/Wiehler_01_07.pdf

AND...it's written in English! The issue that I read is Issue 1, May 2007 -- brand-spanking-new, and full of superb pictures, clear and concise writing, plus great articles including one starting on page 2 about plagiarism (about which many of us have become more and more concerned lately).

For a SHORT time, there is an incredible offer to snag a kit to make an exact replica of one of three original antique German counted-thread samplers. Also, for any of you readers who are involved with the various Embroiderers' Guilds around the world, there's a great article on page 15.

NAYY**, but when I saw this I just knew that if you like samplers, history, needle and thread, excellent photography, or any one of a realm of other related areas, you will really really enjoy this magazine. It's a great read, it's free online, and it's totally worth a visit. In addition, there's what looks like a FREE PATTERN, but my computer is on dial-up (sshhh!!) and it was difficult for me to ascertain those particular pages, but I *do* know it's between pages 15 and 20. So go read it for yourself and see why I'm so excited!

Be educated! Be open-minded! And I'll be back!

**No Affiliation Yada Yada (grin)