Two Finishes

The trim by Renaissance Ribbons arrived and I have used them to finish two small projects, the Rose Window and Barbara's Door.

I do like the look! This finished out at 18" X 18".

"Barbara's Door" uses two different trims.

I like this too....it's just more interesting to me than plain binding. The finished edges on the ribbon are a plus to work with, too. It measures 13 X 18". Barbara, it will be in the mail on Tuesday!

Now I am down to one ufo, my "Go Crazy" project begun last fall. But the colors are not right for working with this time of year...too autumnal!
So even though I am looking forward to making a new class sample for my "Home Portraits" class at the Victorian Stitchery Retreat next November, I really and truly need to make a flower quilt right now.
So that is what I shall do!

Barbara's Door...Finished!

This "home portrait" was a meaningful and fun experience for me. I am happy with how it turned out.

I asked Barbara for a short phrase or quotation for me to embroider on the piece. She gave me a lovely line from Emily Dickinson.

"Where thou art, that is home." How beautiful....

Barbara is engaged to be married, so I wonder whose portrait might go in this locket?

I can guess....

I do know that whomever goes through Barbara's door will find grace, beauty, and wit.

She is making a Madonna piece for me in exchange for her home portrait. I'll show it to you when I receive it....
Blessings on your house, Barbara!

Barbara's door...Progress

It is a fine place to work, for sure.


I've got pelicans, dolphins, and the occasional dog walker on the beach for company as I stitch.
There's been good progress on Barbara's Door.

I am happy with the feeling of this because it really does express my idea of Barbara herself...

There is a quotation that is going to get stitched on in the bottom corners, a little beadwork to add, and a few more details...but this is getting close to done.

Stay warm up there, dear friends!

New Project....Barbara's Door

Even while walking 6 miles every day along the beach, I am still managing to get some stitching done. (We are being so good!) I started work on the house portrait for my friend Barbara.

The photo she sent was of her entryway. I pieced it into a large rectangle before we left home.

This measures about 12" X 16".
These were the colors that lept to mind, but I knew that they would just serve as background for embellishments.

After I stitched the "architectural outlines" on the transferred photo, I started adding the floral frame around the doorway.
The concept of the shrine keeps coming back to me when I think of Barbara. Part of that is her deep ties to Mexico, and part is the fact that I am working on her piece while in this devout and sunlit country.

She uses a lot of yellow in her quilts, too. ;-)
This is early days but the basic structure is in place.

I will be teaching a class in Home Portraits this year.....stay tuned for further details!