A Source Of Inspiration...

I was with "the girls" again at Books a Million last night. My friend, Adele, shared some more of her mother's handwork with me, and I was in awe of her fabulous work.

Adele used to sit with her mother and learn these techniques. This collar was created using threads and silk fabric. It closely resembles Battenburg lace, but is different in its technique. It's so intricate, and believe me when I tell you that it's hard to tell the front from the back. (One of the gals pointed out that I'd originally taken photos of the wrong side. Of course, I knew that! ahem.) You'll remember that Adele made the breathtaking lace edge for the monogrammed wedding hankies we created late last year. Her work really made them special, and the bride love them.

This is the second piece that Adele shared. It's still attached to the hand-drawn pattern her mother created on what appears to be a grocery bag. Once the pattern was drawn, she stitched and shaped and stitched some more to create the collar. This one was never finished.

Adele is one of the women who truly inspires me to become better. Her mother was a true artist, whose mentoring and teaching created another artist in her daughter. Her mother has been gone a long time, and these pieces have been in safe storage for years, but in sharing these pieces with us, Adele's mother lives on through her incredible handwork. I'm so honored that Adele chooses to share her talent and inspiration with me.

Aren't we lucky when God places these amazing people in our path? I count my blessings daily, and Adele and my friends, near and far, including you, are always among them.