First Bloom

Today I noticed the first bloom on my mom's Christmas cactus. This is the third time it has bloomed since she passed away and it makes me think of how wonderful she was with plants and all kinds of needlework. This photo was taken when she was twenty-one and she made the yellow sweater she was wearing. The only thing missing is her warm smile which remains a lovely memory.

A Journey to the Berkshires

Friday was a beautiful day here in New England, and my husband, Bill, and I went on a trip to the Berkshires in western Massachusetts.


We took the scenic route along the Mohawk trail, stopped at a country restaurant called The Wagon Wheel for lunch, and arrived at our destination in a little over three hours.


Along the way we listened to Old Time Radio on XM Radio - an episode of The Jack Benny Show and The Life of Riley. When the mountains cut off our signal, we enjoyed the scenery to a classical music CD.




We were on our way to North Adams, Mass., where we went to the opening of a gallery show featuring work by our daughter, Kate. The show, which took place at Greylock Arts in Adams, Mass., was called Wearable Expressions. Through the technology, craftsmanship and imagination of several artists, it explored fashion as a way for individuals to dynamically express themselves.
Kate, who is a technology artist, showed four hats that humorously investigate the way that we relate to ourselves and others. Her work often expresses unseen, but common, components of our social interactions.

Here are the pieces she exhibited in this show:

The Muttering HatThe Talk to Yourself Hat

The Ear Bender Hat

The Blush Shield

Kate is an adjunct professor at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program, and a co-creator of Botanicalls, a system which enables houseplants to make phone calls when they need to be watered!

You can read more about Kate's work on her website.

We stayed the night, visited Mass MOCA on Saturday, and really enjoyed our visit with Kate!

Time Out for a Yawn

Following the example of Karen and Nan, I'm showing off my one cat relative, my sister's cat, Emily Elizabeth. My sister Carol taught first grade for 37 years before retiring a few years ago, and Emily is named after a character in the book series, Clifford the Big Red Dog!

Tomorrow I'll be posting my 200th entry on my blog. Can't believe it!

Remembering...

This beautiful photo of my dad was taken and developed by my daughter Kate when she was in high school. Today is his birthday - he would have been 92. He passed away less than two years ago. I love having this wonderful, strong image of him framed and hanging in our home as a remembrance. He loved his family, his home, his yard, and his garden.

We remember him with love.

A New York Weekend

We returned last night from our trip to what my husband calls Kate's World - New York City and Brooklyn. It was wonderful to be with our daughter where she lives and works, to spend time with her and her friends, and to see the city through her eyes.

Among other things, we went on the Staten Island ferry, shopped, visited the Brooklyn Museum of Art, walked and viewed all the beautiful brownstones on Prospect Park inBrooklyn and had a lovely brunch (thank you, Rob) in Greenwich

Village before returning home.

Kate knows her mom only too well, so she walked us over from Penn Station to Mood Fabrics in the Garment District of Manhattan. Any Project Runway fans out there? This is where the contestants shop for fabric for their creations. Plenty of luscious textures, colors, embellishments and trims. I bought not a thing, but it was a dreamy experience to be surrounded by so much fabric!

Another great store which we nearly passed by, until the word Fiber caught my eye and dragged me toward it like a magnet, was Fibernotion on Union Street in Brooklyn. I don't think I've ever seen so many enticing needleart components in such a small space! I had fun buying hand painted wool roving, wool felt from Nepal, and a some nifty embellishments.

It's great to be back home, but we had an excellent time with our daughter. Today is her birthday and we send our dearest love to our wonderful Kate.

Off to the City

I'm off to the big city (NY) to visit my daughter for her birthday!

I'll get back to blogging when I return.

Have a lovely weekend!

Funny Hats

Just had to share this happy image of my daughter Kate with her cousins Zach and David! They came to visit with their mom and dad on Saturday, and their silly hats made for a perfect photo opportunity! 

Just in Time!

My mom was an avid needleworker. She did beautiful crochet, needlepoint, knitting, embroidery and wool rug hooking. No wonder I love handwork and textiles! I can close my eyes and picture her fingers flying as she worked on a baby blanket, an embroidered tablecloth or an intricate knitting project.

When we cleared out my parents' apartment after their deaths, I took home a plastic bin containing her needlework supplies. Among the yarn, needles and embroidery hoops, I found  this unfinished scarf, still on the needles, neatly folded, along with the hand written directions.

Since I haven't knitted in about 40 years, I asked my talented friend SooKhim to finish the scarf for me. She graciously finished it, blocked it and delivered it to me just in time for the frigid weather we're now experiencing! I think my mom would love that the scarf is finished and I can feel her warmth and love wrapped around me when I wear it.

Thank so much, SooKhim!! 

A Great Weekend

                                                    Bill, Kate, me, Janice and Lorna

What a weekend!

My daughter Kate home for a visit...

Spending time with her and my husband Bill...

Getting together with family and friends....

And leaping into a new decade!!!

Happy Birthday to me...

I'm 60!!!

(It didn't even hurt!!!)

Fabric Applique - Katie

My theme for September has been "Faces", and I couldn't let the month end without sharing this picture of my daughter Kate, done when she was a young teen. The piece is framed with glass, so there is a bit of glare in the photo. I think this is one of the first portraits I did in fabric  and I did it from a quick sketch. The pose brings back a lot of memories - Katie with a book in her lap and a scrunchie in her hair, daydreaming.....

Now she is a wonderful young woman and I'm so proud of her. 

In Her Honor

My mom, who died last summer, was very active in local volunteer work. She gave many years of service to her local hospital, helping patients with their menus, working in the office, and offering many other types of help. 

Mom also belonged to a women's community group which works to raise money for local charities and scholarships for high school students. She worked every week at the group's thrift shop, making many friends along the way with her great sense of humor.

Today, this group dedicated a beautiful bench at the entrance of the town's senior center to my mom. The bench is situated in front of a gorgeous flower garden. It was such a lovely tribute to her, and my heart just swelled with love and pride. 

When she was in her 80's, Mom spent many hours crocheting squares which later would be sewn together as lap afghans for nursing homes. I got a kick out of it when she would say, "These are for the OLD people!"

Love you, Mom.

Blogging Break!

Hello Friends! I am taking a little blogging break, but will be back to share some wonderful ATCs in a few days! Right now I am spending some time with my husband as we celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary today!!! Ah, yes, I know you are thinking, "how could those young people be married for 31 years!" 

This picture was taken during a recent trip to Rockport, Mass. - only about 35 minutes from our home! Today we had lunch at Longfellow's Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Mass - a tradition, since we were married right there at the Martha Mary Chapel, built by Henry Ford. Tomorrow we will be going to Lenox, Mass. where we will attend a concert at Tanglewood given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Will be back soon!

Recent Projects

Last week I sent off some handmade gifts for my two great nephews. For the baby, Shane, I had a biscuit quilt which I had completed a year or two ago. Nice and puffy!

For Shane and his big brother, Kyle, I made pillows, using some fabric I've had for many years - teddy bears playing baseball! I cut windows in the fabric and inserted white fabric with their names appliqued in red! Hopefully they are just the right size for little boys!!!

Celebrating Mom

I'm remembering happy times with my Mom, and wishing all the wonderful moms who read this a very happy Mothers Day! Raising children is the most important job in the world, and we all deserve a special day! Here's to us!!! 

Love you, Mom.

Flowers for Mom

My mother was a wonderful woman and a dear friend. This will be a sad first Mother's Day without her. After she died last summer, while we were cleaning out her home, I came across a box of cards I had made for her for various occasions over the years. This Mother's Day card was among them.

My mom never wanted a fuss made over her, and on this particular year she insisted that we should not send flowers. So, instead, I made this card for her with this verse inside:

You said, "Don't send me flowers!"

So what were we to do?

We couldn't picture Mother's Day

Without blossoms for you.

So here's a little bouquet

With flowers that won't grow old,

Sent with all the loving thoughts

A little card can hold.

She loved it, and every year after that, we insisted upon a real bouquet for her.

Miss you, Mom.

A Special Wish

 A very special wish today

to our daughter, Kate!

May your birthday be happy

and may the coming year be filled with love, success and wonderful adventures!

 We love you and wish we could be with you!!

Love and Hugs,

Mom and Dad

 

Slow Going!

My mind has been all over the place this month . My older sister has spent two weeks in the hospital with a serious infection, and is now in a rehab/nursing home to help her get back on her feet.  I've been so worried about her and have been trying to help her by visiting and bringing things she needs and things to help lift her spirits. Fortunately, we are able to laugh together and things seem to be looking up. Hopefully she'll be able to go home soon. 

I've been missing being creative, but first things first. It's hard to concentrate on anything when someone you care about is in pain. She doesn't have access to a computer to read this right now, but I know she knows that I'm there for her. 

Meanwhile, little by little, I'm finishing up a fabric picture which I hope to post soon. I'm taking things slowly at the moment, but still trying to find some time to create.

Christmas Blessings

My husband and I arrived in beautiful Santa Barbara last night to spend Christmas with my husband's family. Tonight our daughter Kate joined us. We will be celebrating Christmas with three other families and the holiday promises to be filled with conversation, children's laughter and the warmth of companionship. This is truly a blessing and we are so glad to be here.
Another little angel, this time a fabric and felt ornament, came out of a box of my Mom's things. She had it hanging up all year long, as she did many of my fabric creations.
I think of her and my Dad often during this season, but know that they are sending down their love and blessings especially during this festive time.

My Family

I have a great family - I'm so fortunate. Here we are at my nephew's wedding in September.
Bill is very patient about my projects scattered all over the house. If the dining table is stacked with fabric, batting, scissors and what-all, and I apologize, he'll jokingly say, "I see nothing!!"
Our daughter, Kate, lives in New York City and works at NYU. She is a creative force, making technical artwork and installations, a graduate of the Interactive Telecommunications Program at NYU. Much of her work incorporates her quirky sense of humor and always reflects her interest in ways of communicating.
My life is blessed in so many ways, but I feel especially lucky to have such a loving support system in my family. This is what inspires my art and crafts and allows me to try new things.
What could be more important?