Continuing peace

~ Liz A ~ 11 Comments

I think I first learned of Fiona Dempster and Barry Smith from Mo, perhaps as far back as 2014 or 2015.

Over the years they inspired me to sew/sow peace, so making peace pins for them was especially meaningful.

Barry requested rainbow threads, so I tried two different Deb Lacativa rainbow threads on gray and white linens …

Oddly enough, I liked the gray linen version better from the back, which led to rather a unique solution …

As for Fiona, one of my favorite pieces of hers was Too many poppies, which put me in mind of red … and then red and green …

So of course I sent both … with fingers crossed that the US and Australian postal services cooperate.

I’ve also continued to stitch peace pins for for the good folks at St Liz …

along with altar linens, which I haven’t made for over twenty years. Of course I neglected to take a picture of the completed set, but here are some in-process shots of the hemstitching, which is worked with one strand of 100/3 linen thread over three threads of linen cloth at a time …

which looks like this on the front …

Hemstitching is the most soothing thing imaginable … good therapy in these post-election days.

Last but not least, I also got to do some baking therapy: 17-layer cake for G’s 12th birthday … with the added joy of a full moonrise …

So yes, here’s to continuing … with Juliann and Marianne’s peace pins next on my list.

To a learn more about the project and request your own (free) peace pin, click on this link.

One a day

~ Liz A ~ 6 Comments

It’s going well … stitching one peace pin each day … these three going (or already gone) to Laurie and Wanda at St Liz and to Angie in Tennessee …

The colors in the photos aren’t “true” … but that’s okay. And I’ve added a new bit to the process described in the Peace Pin DIY: putting a bit of card stock behind the stitched side of the pin to give it a bit more stability. Please let me know if you’d like a do-over for any of your pins (although a quick press under an iron also helps).

And for those who have asked, the DIY link also includes information about the split backstitch I use to make the lettering.

Last, but not least: I spied these smile-inducing treasures whilst picking up the mail this weekend …

Tiny pieces of everything …

To a learn more about the project and request your own (free) peace pin, click on this link.

Practice peace

~ Liz A ~ 11 Comments

Over two dozen peace pins have fallen from my fingers, mostly in fits and starts. Others await, and I humbly request patience from Barry, Fiona, Angie, Juliann, Marianne, Wanda, and Laurie … some of whom have been waiting longer than others.

In the wake of the presidential election, I am glad to have this project, which is giving me a safe and quiet place to just be. And so I have decided to embark on a practice of stitching one pin each day.

Today’s pin …

is heading to Marti in New Mexico, joining two other pins which she is sharing with her twin grandchildren. The card is from the Harwood Museum in Taos, purchased when I fell in love with the artist’s work.

Later that same day we found our way to the Ammann Gallery where Laurie Celine Baliet was putting the finishing touches on this painting, a view from her back yard, which now resides with us as a reminder of autumn in New Mexico …

May the enchantment that is New Mexico and the promise of this humble project bring you a sense of peace.

To a learn more about the project and request your own (free) peace pin, click on this link.