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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Of Needle and Thread


The other day I was asked 'what do you do' - in relationship to craft/art.  The description listing all of the needlework types I have been involved with over the years would take forever -- it's quite a long list.

My 'handwork' began with my husband's grandmother teaching me embroidery.  While I was pregnant she bought me little flannel gowns from Woolworth's and I embroidered their printed designs.  My next step into needlework came many years later when I worked in needlepoint.  Still I worked from a printed pattern.  From needlepoint I went on to counted cross-stitch. 


After cross-stitch I began making cloth dolls.  Finally I was making my own designs and patterns.  I soon became surrounded by dolls - paper, fabric, painted and stitched. 

One day I discovered "Somerset Studio" and then "Cloth Paper Scissors" and my stitching life took a tremendous turn.  No more carefully constructed patterns and lots of improvisation as I spent five years creating book art.  Mixed media became my mantra but still there was plenty of stitching both by hand and by machine.


From book art I moved on to beading.  I couldn't string jewelry I had to stitch it - and so beaded embroidery became my 'new best friend'.


These days I feel the tug toward using more fabric and embellishments, the need to put more of 'myself' into a piece rather than regulated loops.  We'll see where this journey goes -- but I know quite well that I will always be holding needle and thread in one form or another.

"A line will take us hours maybe; yet if it does not seem a moment's thought, our stitching and unstitching has been naught." - William Butler Yeats

6 comments:

  1. I can relate to this post. There have been many days that I wished just one technique would fulfill my desire to create and I would focus on it and would achieve perfection in it.

    I have become more focused and don't let a new craft take me over to dabble at.

    One thing for sure, I love your art.

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  2. Yes, can definately relate to this--all true for me too. I love all your work. That book is cool!
    And, now, with some help from YOU, I can add punchneedle to my list of things! Got my AMAZING box today!! Thank you a million! It is my mission tomorrow. Those little pincushions and bookmarks are cute. I think I'll start simple--a good way to begin! hee!
    Big hug! Thank you Penny!!!

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  3. You've had an interesting stitching career - like most of us, the full tale probably has many turns and ramifications as your ideas have developed.

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  4. Nice journey! Just go with the flow or at least the loops!

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  5. Creativity in any form is always such a wonderful journey, isn't it? I myself have been morphing for years, pursuing varyied art forms. Even now, ensconced in encaustic, I know that I will never lose my love of stitch and fabric - continue enjoying the journey, Penny - I love the beauty that you share!

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  6. I know I also do need to switch gears, and your post reminds me that growth almost always comes with that switching. It's to strive for!

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