Studio Bliss...

 I spent most of the day - and part of the evening - in the studio yesterday. I
concentrated on fulfilling my "creative imperative". You know what I mean...
that feeling you get down inside that causes you to spend time doing that
which makes your soul sing. It doesn't matter what it is, but you have to do it.

I'm friends with Gladys Wright Moreno on FaceBook, and while on vacation,
I saw one of her beautiful projects I knew I'd have to try. She linked to her
tutorial, which I promptly viewed, and I was hooked. I only had to pick up
the wool I wanted at Primitive Gatherings - and then get back home to my
huge stash of ephemera to start one of my own. I planned it in my mind the

rest of the trip. (I'll share links to Gladys' blog and tutorial at the end of my post.)

I started with the various bits and bobs I showed you yesterday, but as I began

to play, I realized that my goal would not be to create another needlebook or 

sewing kit. Instead, I decided to create a memory book, of sorts, of the things

I love about Wisconsin...time spent in the woods and fields, our dogs, hunting...

You get the idea.

Queen Anne's Lace (or Cow Parsnip or Cow Parsley)

I began by stitching Queen Anne's Lace freehand for my first interior page.

I then joined the pages to the cover (per Gladys' instructions), and set about decorating

 each interior page. I fashioned a pocket from a piece of lace, and then I took two 

pheasant feathers I had saved from one of my last Wisconsin hunts prior to moving

 to Florida. (I stitched them into the pocket so they wouldn't fall out.)

 I also added the dog tag that belonged to my Labrador retriever, Bannor, who helped

me harvest that pheasant. Some of my best days outdoors were with my boy, who I still

 miss every, single day. I'll likely add his photo, perhaps on fabric, to the pocket, too.

I don't remember where I got the beaded star. It's vintage and labor intense. I

stitched it onto the wool using fine, silk thread. It represents the North Star, 

which you can't see here in our southern sky. I plan to stitch grass and fireflies

below it to remind me of those little, blinking lights which used to fill our marsh

on hot July evenings. I'm still thinking my way through the design for now.

I also added beaded flower trim to the half-flap...another nod to the plethora of 

wildflowers in the summer landscape. I think that will just stand alone, as is.

Mom Grace taught me how to make granny squares. I made this tiny one in #8 

pearl cotton. Not only will it remind me of her and the hours we spent together 

crocheting, it will remind me of the many afghans made by my grandmother that I 

still have and cherish. Grandma tried to teach me how to make a ripple afghan

and I just couldn't concentrate enough to master the pattern. I now know how to

make them, and she's probably smiling and wondering just what took me so long!

I haven't decided what else will go on this page, so I'll take my time with it. I'll

know when it's right, and then I'll finish that page. This could be an ongoing WIP.

  This is what I've done for the front. I had these ribbon flowers and decided to use them over making my own. You're not surprised to see acorns are you?

Here are the links to Gladys' blog and tutorial for you. If you decide to try this,
I'd love to see what you create. Click HERE to link to her blog...and Click HERE to
view her YouTube "Vintage Needle Book" tutorial for the inspiration for my project.
Her needle books are gorgeous and she also sells them on Etsy under "Collectibles".
Finally, you can click HERE to visit her Etsy shop, gardenofedenlife1. Have

fun browsing her sites. I'm sure you'll agree, her creations will captivate you.

I'll be playing with this on and off all weekend. It's raining most of every

day, so this is just the perfect thing to occupy my time while indoors. Have a great weekend!