You get a very fun weekend!!

I met Jackie and Colleen (http://www.theneedleworks.typepad.com/) on Saturday afternoon about 80 miles from here.  We rented a 3-bedroom townhouse/condo and started stitching about 4pm.  First, we poured a glass of wine and toasted the fact that Colleen has finally gotten the city permit to start construction of her new store - and also Jackie's birthday and my birthday.   Lots to celebrate.

Then we got serious about stitching.  I took 3 pieces with me - I think Jackie and Colleen brought at least that many, but either way, we filled the living room up with canvases and paraphernalia quite fast.   On Saturday evening, we went over to the hotel for dinner, but after that, I didn't even go outside until we left on Monday morning.

I got a lot done on the Cat in a Kimono and worked for a few hours on the Russian Magi - I"ll show you pictures later.

This tree was outside my window.  I got to see some nice fall colors in the Hill Country!!

We've moved back into the house.  We've got a long way to go before the house is really livable, but after two months in the apartment we decided it was close enough.  No hot water or cable this morning, but we're staying.

Happy stitching.
Jane

I heard from Donna today via email who said she was anxious to see Frida finished.  Oh, my Gosh.   She's been done and hanging on the wall for so long.  After some searching, I see that I posted her, but I probably didn't categorize her correctly.  So here she is again.  I still like her very much.  Might do some things differently, but love her none the less.

She was framed by Bonnie at Art Inc. here in San Antonio.  Bonnie is an amazing framer, who specializes in working with needlework.   I haven't seen anything she's done that isn't just awesome.  She's won awards, etc.   You can totally trust her to do magic with your pieces.  

Happy stitching.
Jane

Mark and I went over to the house today and I found a box from Maie Vorp on my doorstep!!  That is always an exciting event.

As usual, she did a fabulous job finishing them for me.  She put a lighter fabric right behind the canvas so the stitched pattern would show through.  I like it.

I love the design of the baby Jesus and the manger.  Very creatively done, I think.  And Amy's choices for the stitch guide really set it off.

3 down and 9 to go.

Happy Stitching.
Jane

I've been working on the background for the last few days.

Before that, as I worked on the clothing I kept telling myself I'd do the beading and the goldwork later - now I'm realizing how much of that there is.  Remember when I complained while doing Mary that it she was dressed appropriately - in linens and cottons - and not in opulent threads?  I'm getting what I asked for.  This is fun and opulent!!  I'm sure it will take me a couple of days to put all the glitz on once I get all the regular stitching done.

Off to the races.
Happy Stitching.
Jane

Every now and then, I sign up for private tours of artists' studios or galleries with limited time exhibitions.  A wonderful lady in town, who used to be a high school art teacher, and who has contributed tremendously to the art scene here conducts the tours. 

As an aside, this lady was very instrumental in the founding of an organization called Say Si, http://saysi.org/ which is an arts center made available to underserved children who have a desire to learn an artform (or more than one).  The organization provides supplies, instruction, a safe place and lots of positive support for these kids who might otherwise be on the streets or at a minimum not pursuing and growing their talents.  Many of them go on to college on scholarship - at least one went to the Art Institute in Chicago - they do amazing work.

Today we saw much of the private collection of Linda Pace (now deceased, but who was a very wealthy woman after selling her family's company, Pace Foods - of Pace Picante fame - to Campbell's - as in tomato soup company).  She bought and refurbished a beautiful industrial building south of downtown and claimed the top two floors for her own living quarters and art gallery.  Her contemporary art collection was amazing, as I would have expected, and the views from the roof of her building were unbelievable.

She bought the property across the street from her building and turned it into a wonderful park, dedicated to the memory of her son.   The bamboo growing there was at least 20 feet tall and so dense and lush - just unbelievable. 

I'm still working on the BK Magi, and I'm making some progress, but wanted to share this fabulous view I was lucky to see today.

Happy stitching,
Jane