Fear of Flying

This fabric picture has a story behind it. A few years ago, my then 23 year old daughter Kate went on a solo trip to Mexico. Not being a great traveler myself, I was worried about her and the possible things that could go wrong for her as she traveled alone. On top of this, my husband found out that he had a business trip to Hong Kong and was scheduled to leave on the same day!
It was a stressful day for me, the professional worrier, but I could also see the humor in my situation, as my two nearest and dearest flew off in different directions while I stayed behind and fretted.
I'm a few years older now and don't worry quite as much as I used to. But as I wait today for my husband to arrive home from another trip to the Far East, I look at this picture and smile at the memory, grateful that everything turned out just fine.

Byzantine Bracelet

Here's what I have accomplished lately - a chain maille bracelet that I started in a class a few months ago. It is made from sterling silver jump rings. There is nothing terribly creative about it - simply learn the pattern and how to handle jump rings.....OK, the truth: it was hard for me and, although I had learned the pattern in class, once I let it sit for awhile at home I was totally confused as to how to continue. Fortunately one of my creative friends, SooKhim, helped me to get back on the right track! And my good friend Andrea put it through her tumbler and out it came with a beautiful shine! Finished at last!!

Refreshing a Footstool

Sometimes I feel that doing the simplest, least creative project with fabric is very comforting and rewarding. I bought this little footstool a few years ago. It was inexpensive, covered with rattan, and had cheap wheels on the bottom. But it opens for storage and is just the perfect small size for in front of my chair. One by one the wheels fell off, and my husband replaced them with better ones. Then recently the rattan started peeling away (perhaps with the help of kitty claws?) and I was just about to ditch it when I decided to try recovering it. The fabric was a half price remnant and I had some batting left over from another project. Not as difficult as I thought, more comfortable than before, and a feeling of accomplishment for recycling something that would have ended up in the trash!!

The best part of the photo is the beautiful needlepoint pillow on the chair. This was made by my mother and I have always loved it. To the left of the chair is a stack of mostly craft and quilting magazines just waiting to be devoured!

Back to Blogging!

After over a month's absence, I'm back to blogging again! I've spent a lot of time reading other blogs and trying to decide in which direction I want to go - more fabric art and less craft, or vice versa? I finally came to the conclusion that I don't have enough fun with crafts. I made a list of things I want to make and discovered that most of them are crafts. My arts and crafts society has two sales coming up and that is a great incentive to get going!

Here's a kitty I made a while back, and on which I recently embroidered a little face. I did make the pattern myself and would be happy to share it, if anyone would like it. Next on my list are some fabric and felt magnets. The weather is (for now, anyway) turning cooler here in New England and it's a great time to sit out on my little screened-in porch and do some stitching!