tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66952753682793046642024-03-12T18:57:08.073-04:00The Making of an American Sampler"272 Words" ~ The Gettysburg Address Stitched On LinenLa Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-33171986368266283382012-09-07T16:45:00.004-04:002022-04-24T22:50:37.273-04:00Happy September!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqVL_t5-AlxXHc50pnAcrwjJOqXiBq6JDv-UVWBVTM1G69U0CV4wp59WIzUDyO6pvtGUwbw3iTp9HzmXLafX8QoS1FeIl6pewqu3AEYZzeUaoUwm0SScEzt0Sh1ApaxCr7Qa6D8H0/s1600/Autumn+in+New+York+--+Primrose+Needleworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqVL_t5-AlxXHc50pnAcrwjJOqXiBq6JDv-UVWBVTM1G69U0CV4wp59WIzUDyO6pvtGUwbw3iTp9HzmXLafX8QoS1FeIl6pewqu3AEYZzeUaoUwm0SScEzt0Sh1ApaxCr7Qa6D8H0/s320/Autumn+in+New+York+--+Primrose+Needleworks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Autumn in New York" ~ Primrose Needleworks</td></tr>
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I hope you're all well and enjoying the beginning of September . . . which will deliver us from the Mother of All Hot and Humid Summers.<br />
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A few announcements: we have a new design in the works -- "Stars and Stripes Forever." I started work on it during July 4th, inspired by our nation's amazing birthday parties. I'll announce the finished design and post pictures after it's completed and framed.<br />
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Wow, it's been a busy summer -- full of new work opportunities and "re-invention" strategies. I'm beginning to think that "re-invention" is survival, and vice versa. One of my summer projects (never-ending, it seems) has involved a total re-build of the Primrose Needleworks website. We've switched to a new host, and a Wordpress platform. The new space will offer a more robust environment for expression, photo posting, etc. It'll have a built-in blog, as well. I can't wait to start using it!<br />
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(If you'd like, you can take a peek at the new space.) Same ol' url: <a href="http://www.primroseneedleworks.com/">www.primroseneedleworks.com</a><br />
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As long as there is an internet, <i>this </i>blog will remain in cyberspace. But to keep things simple, I'll shift my new blogging to the main website. I hope you'll join me there when it's finished.<br />
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As for new releases: we've created an ornament ("Three French Hens") for the <i>2012 Just Cross Stitch Ornament</i> edition . . . due out soon!<br />
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Have a brilliant weekend and thank you for supporting us on this journey. Your encouragement made all the difference -- I couldn't have completed "272 Words" without you! Stitchers make the world go round, no?<br />
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xoxo,<br />
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LizLa Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-34401878495094630682011-05-30T14:11:00.010-04:002011-05-30T16:12:24.213-04:00MemoryGood afternoon . . . I hope you're all enjoying the first summer weekend of the year. In ultra-typical New York City fashion, summer arrived -<i>- wham-o</i>! Overnight. After a very cool spring, we're looking at 100-degree days this week.<br />
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Remember the days when we used to put away our summer/winter clothes? Not anymore. You just have to keep your Gore Tex hip-length parka next to the tank tops with the spaghetti straps . . . and dress accordingly.<br />
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I did a wee bit of stitching this weekend . . . nothing major. Just a handful stars, which seemed appropriate this Memorial Day Weekend. Do you find yourself reaching for "patriotic" stitching projects during national holidays?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNmjY9RC1LX9Ozb_vnLRzquVjTXp1zA9ySXzJ7bnZ4J2CwbIQ1KS6jxY8OphlNu3hyphenhyphenNZjTLh7AoVW9pu76jws6NsDtw2qPNILQDo_UyUKkunWyXeVGmXmgPINj1AKyr6sAnuKYmYT/s1600/Crossword+FW+USSNY2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNmjY9RC1LX9Ozb_vnLRzquVjTXp1zA9ySXzJ7bnZ4J2CwbIQ1KS6jxY8OphlNu3hyphenhyphenNZjTLh7AoVW9pu76jws6NsDtw2qPNILQDo_UyUKkunWyXeVGmXmgPINj1AKyr6sAnuKYmYT/s320/Crossword+FW+USSNY2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We managed to see a few ships that sailed into the harbor during Fleet Week. The ship that captured hearts is this one we spotted from our rooftop. The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b><a href="http://www.ussny.org/">USS New York</a> </b></span>(above -- click photo to enlarge) was commissioned into service in 2009. It was forged from tons of steel recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center.<br />
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Is there a floss that color? If so, surely it must be called Battleship Gray!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SSoZXl1JjGqy37Qc4BWmQRKqFLAXnyLZyskubMfqPJOZMzG1tSqIQkGyWVYgrlVh_DMuEmvTW8w3kWuJ6wsxB2QtQul3w4_BhxSQh81VstgLtyENZDW8ql4I56N00iHFSGuqi0E8/s1600/Memorial+Day+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SSoZXl1JjGqy37Qc4BWmQRKqFLAXnyLZyskubMfqPJOZMzG1tSqIQkGyWVYgrlVh_DMuEmvTW8w3kWuJ6wsxB2QtQul3w4_BhxSQh81VstgLtyENZDW8ql4I56N00iHFSGuqi0E8/s320/Memorial+Day+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As you spend this day with your families and friends, I wish you a peaceful Memorial Day. Thank you for remembering the many men and women who have served our country. Warm hugs to you all.La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-15827742729755771482011-03-31T13:48:00.014-04:002011-03-31T19:40:36.956-04:00651 Quilts Take New York City By Storm<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Calling all quilters . . . I'm in awe of your skills!<br />
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I'm not a quilter, but I have enormous respect for this art. This exhibit of 651 red-and-white quilts (a birthday gift to the city of New York from collector Joanna S. Rose), drew massive crowds during its five-day run at the Park Avenue Armory. <br />
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To see millions of hand-sewn stitches in one place made me so darned proud to be a stitcher. I enjoyed watching businesspeople on their lunch breaks (many of them men!) <i>gawking</i> in admiration at the handwork.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">That was the scene caused by<b> </b></span><a href="http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/finally-mrs-rose-and-the-public-can-see-all-her-rugs/" style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">The Joanna S. Rose Quilt Exhibit</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> </span>at The Armory this week. The multi-level, spiral display was extraordinary. My photos don't do it justice, but I wanted to share some favorite pieces.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Afterwards, I walked home inspired, humbled and dreaming of making a quilt some day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqXzeTSfCbkpEngGE__AHdR083nDylyWfZqqMErFRgR0AwRQ8w6_AJH-F8oLmCtT3rPB8A7IpH4JeGaOQfUh0t6XwzU6-Z45imGvgwnHBsM9nw_oUCW1Rbv9aQ7lS946_1eOWl2pXMCA/s1600/Quilts+1+rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqXzeTSfCbkpEngGE__AHdR083nDylyWfZqqMErFRgR0AwRQ8w6_AJH-F8oLmCtT3rPB8A7IpH4JeGaOQfUh0t6XwzU6-Z45imGvgwnHBsM9nw_oUCW1Rbv9aQ7lS946_1eOWl2pXMCA/s320/Quilts+1+rev.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Quilts suspended from the ceiling in a spiral formation</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL0GSUePI-1QbPaD6j6-1WIE8HDVvKDcrzzu9JlWATwCa29zdP8GYrVaQgnkKK09qXxkPSfVcDNtaOUk0Bqn-iR_kVKwwBuSlh3cvURTmGaUCnZbUDQGIMqajQo9-p840UkhAhRlItkA/s1600/Quilts+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL0GSUePI-1QbPaD6j6-1WIE8HDVvKDcrzzu9JlWATwCa29zdP8GYrVaQgnkKK09qXxkPSfVcDNtaOUk0Bqn-iR_kVKwwBuSlh3cvURTmGaUCnZbUDQGIMqajQo9-p840UkhAhRlItkA/s320/Quilts+2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EM73fIUPqFybYeWW1iqinU2cP0rYE7sZWLzf9kzS7-JXU3iw0zgxjKx390FhyphenhyphenK6Y9AA30KNN-ElbveBp6Ngub5RqWZZrK1cGZ4JvjOiOnQjsDqP3D3rfli-XhfsltAWJq1_2aPyZWAQ/s1600/Quilts+3+rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EM73fIUPqFybYeWW1iqinU2cP0rYE7sZWLzf9kzS7-JXU3iw0zgxjKx390FhyphenhyphenK6Y9AA30KNN-ElbveBp6Ngub5RqWZZrK1cGZ4JvjOiOnQjsDqP3D3rfli-XhfsltAWJq1_2aPyZWAQ/s320/Quilts+3+rev.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">A simple rickrack design at eye level</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifJ0kwV-f0nhDynO3s7bWflw3fviPG83g-QmqOHzT3FtKlsR32DiYFQSRofB9zgtaLuY0go87AsKgSqilMpLjimCz-WtjmbtQe6fWqX91oOPxzFoQGM_LmYmt2EzpXkALzln-ESFwRwQ/s1600/Quilts+4+rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifJ0kwV-f0nhDynO3s7bWflw3fviPG83g-QmqOHzT3FtKlsR32DiYFQSRofB9zgtaLuY0go87AsKgSqilMpLjimCz-WtjmbtQe6fWqX91oOPxzFoQGM_LmYmt2EzpXkALzln-ESFwRwQ/s320/Quilts+4+rev.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Flowers, pinwheels, eight-pointed stars</span><br />
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</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The power of the repeated pattern</span><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Closeup of hand-stitched artistry</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltQhU2Op6P4F5_JFpVNQcRmS6Bu5qfeK1vX94XQOFj147RjvSoXy20Iy0SVDN8TXawSlAefSpBFFyWwhml2BXQi2-KaeS_EhMsXECQ3ezVyaOLmyF3hyh4aYrlIt2jj0E10CCFq2ZFjQ/s1600/Quilts+7+rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltQhU2Op6P4F5_JFpVNQcRmS6Bu5qfeK1vX94XQOFj147RjvSoXy20Iy0SVDN8TXawSlAefSpBFFyWwhml2BXQi2-KaeS_EhMsXECQ3ezVyaOLmyF3hyh4aYrlIt2jj0E10CCFq2ZFjQ/s320/Quilts+7+rev.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">See the airplane quilt at the lower left? </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNEa-k_e7WPs7o9Wfpk31y_MQXVgvT7c1SQwucYn2yPla9S0WYbN3MeAKSQljptXzt9-i5CstR2_zajIM273IuMx7c_RcvmgoRoykWj4tk_lKsoofCkPOCDLN2bjjpumqxAGQJJnroNQ/s1600/Quilts+8+rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNEa-k_e7WPs7o9Wfpk31y_MQXVgvT7c1SQwucYn2yPla9S0WYbN3MeAKSQljptXzt9-i5CstR2_zajIM273IuMx7c_RcvmgoRoykWj4tk_lKsoofCkPOCDLN2bjjpumqxAGQJJnroNQ/s320/Quilts+8+rev.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Geometry</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmXgRjIGb8SR565fpQhuxlt1vlL-mlbaoe3TL8TAsTojPCxyULoRm_6g3W3Vg14FNW55WS66LxDzlpDrpjTXoRq6GinoQawsuBp2pjuoebN0auriQ6Yf7u-W9Cnfw_9E7wgMimUZ79u4/s1600/Quilts+9+rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmXgRjIGb8SR565fpQhuxlt1vlL-mlbaoe3TL8TAsTojPCxyULoRm_6g3W3Vg14FNW55WS66LxDzlpDrpjTXoRq6GinoQawsuBp2pjuoebN0auriQ6Yf7u-W9Cnfw_9E7wgMimUZ79u4/s320/Quilts+9+rev.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My favorite quilt: Optical illusion with lush corner details</div></div><br />
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</div></div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-25835023391660496392011-03-10T15:47:00.009-05:002011-03-10T16:09:51.563-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcXDtU5uZ7gTmR5g9fUkddoHhXE9d7vUhGKdhwOK7SW-SSMWTWxnJhn6t0h_o7bNFQgUeZMXnhtG40z_gPliVJSGPg1yU8Lc-IZuge1-GnMOFezzMEmRHkaRQSzENfzr0lWaDIO3h/s1600/Liberty+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcXDtU5uZ7gTmR5g9fUkddoHhXE9d7vUhGKdhwOK7SW-SSMWTWxnJhn6t0h_o7bNFQgUeZMXnhtG40z_gPliVJSGPg1yU8Lc-IZuge1-GnMOFezzMEmRHkaRQSzENfzr0lWaDIO3h/s320/Liberty+Blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Hello friends!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/10/technology/personaltech/10basics.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">An article</span></b> </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">in today's <i>New York Times</i> reports on a photo-editing site called</span><a href="http://photofunia.com/"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Photofunia.</span></b></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIt0Abpom_cqRYIojtMs90XpAtmXY4Dl50yDzxvIsbr_a70Lu80eUBcUHY1gKr7UNykY_8chdewx1-1IVdtIBjPp3zpvSy2MGllRYXOLHx8p-RE7lKOQwXcH3MHJRxdPCfRRIigWqA/s1600/PhotoFunia-14eb35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIt0Abpom_cqRYIojtMs90XpAtmXY4Dl50yDzxvIsbr_a70Lu80eUBcUHY1gKr7UNykY_8chdewx1-1IVdtIBjPp3zpvSy2MGllRYXOLHx8p-RE7lKOQwXcH3MHJRxdPCfRRIigWqA/s320/PhotoFunia-14eb35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This free site allows you to showcase your needlework on Broadway, in a museum, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">on the Great Pyramids </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">or any number of venues. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">"Liberty," as President Lincoln envisioned it, makes a great billboard -- times three! </span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZzE50j1bIB8UhRlq_u8VsT8HYS5m00Vsj3lasQgBQnNiIwXnXht1lWZjMbKOTCXihkbos09yONX9hZ4UuF5VPBm89rg9WRthblus8A4VbguquScqFMinSzQk1ZDKSzj8TsQIuhxv/s1600/PhotoFunia-13f76d_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZzE50j1bIB8UhRlq_u8VsT8HYS5m00Vsj3lasQgBQnNiIwXnXht1lWZjMbKOTCXihkbos09yONX9hZ4UuF5VPBm89rg9WRthblus8A4VbguquScqFMinSzQk1ZDKSzj8TsQIuhxv/s320/PhotoFunia-13f76d_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Pets and children are a natural subject source. It's easy as pie. Simply upload your favorite photos onto their website, and within minutes your dog or cat will be on Broadway.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Quincy the cat is ready to put on a one-cat show, should </span><a href="http://blogs.forbes.com/shenegotiates/2011/03/10/julie-traymors-departure-from-spiderman-should-not-surprise-its-backers/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Spiderman </b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">need some time off to regroup. :) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photofunia.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Photofunia</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> is a cute diversion on a rainy day!</span></div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-5691776996142109762011-03-06T16:36:00.001-05:002011-03-06T16:39:11.132-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">"If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?" ~Abraham Lincoln</div><br />
Can you imagine Abraham Lincoln's Facebook page? He'd probably share tons of pictures of his kids and pets. He'd crack jokes every once in a while. But his main status message would probably be "Reading . . . "<br />
<br />
It's a rainy day here . . . it's nice to stay in, pour a cup of tea and set up an official Facebook page for Primrose Needleworks. I hope you'll come by and say hello. Thanks everyone. Spring is just around the corner . . .<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Primrose-Needleworks/192756550757057?sk=wall">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Primrose-Needleworks/192756550757057?sk=wall</a>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-86437660898400861552011-02-12T13:29:00.012-05:002011-02-12T16:50:27.487-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ltt-BEYGntp4N3dfC7Pw7I2_fIWU-763gzkYPpzBwNYvYnwV7ixygktgjiZNqFuSO_QsZ2xnr6Wi-rtOckmrSyCjoQC8KkPKSiMvqf9O9bZynF3UojLS-BJLejRbmk3EOT_jBqXN/s1600/BF+Blog+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ltt-BEYGntp4N3dfC7Pw7I2_fIWU-763gzkYPpzBwNYvYnwV7ixygktgjiZNqFuSO_QsZ2xnr6Wi-rtOckmrSyCjoQC8KkPKSiMvqf9O9bZynF3UojLS-BJLejRbmk3EOT_jBqXN/s320/BF+Blog+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
"Happy 202nd Birthday, President Lincoln!"</div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">202 years ago today . . . </span>a baby was born in a one-room Kentucky log cabin. Abraham would grow up to be a farmer, rail splitter, store keeper, postmaster, flatboatman, surveyor, lawyer and 16th President of the United States.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4T-9czdSAPjN_JAC2imkcQCd7oOWtrl1-ROibzDOfU0j031WCQ2BN5TwTljR1pqdICCbUwMvbkzlNr0Zee5RBdz6yisxtpCzN7LoKShg4KOzlF0VXYR6cKmzDhFj1ewWWwAqcxtI6/s1600/DSCN4345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4T-9czdSAPjN_JAC2imkcQCd7oOWtrl1-ROibzDOfU0j031WCQ2BN5TwTljR1pqdICCbUwMvbkzlNr0Zee5RBdz6yisxtpCzN7LoKShg4KOzlF0VXYR6cKmzDhFj1ewWWwAqcxtI6/s200/DSCN4345.jpg" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuRek9Td7iKEQt3sWy1hNdS5LkWIosNqOpFDs7i4UY6CRK7d4u2WNswiT9jTmWno4WH-Fw3V8GIS0PvKMNmKzE1tH1JkEeK_2Gg2nh8cIAm7AhMcznEZRyhhIRCc24uBPPthZMOv4/s1600/DSCN4344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuRek9Td7iKEQt3sWy1hNdS5LkWIosNqOpFDs7i4UY6CRK7d4u2WNswiT9jTmWno4WH-Fw3V8GIS0PvKMNmKzE1tH1JkEeK_2Gg2nh8cIAm7AhMcznEZRyhhIRCc24uBPPthZMOv4/s200/DSCN4344.jpg" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEQm6OZl1r8gIsxIx5V1nNcuj5-I9nTyMR6qi8CuSJ1cUAPZUcqDvBCsWcBtXV2fC_Nc7baIeEpENsUkFwKr3ushAW0Epx_h9X3ggw5KgvgdUjjeg47ib1MPDGC_3whmfrpzM-Tzg/s1600/DSCN4347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEQm6OZl1r8gIsxIx5V1nNcuj5-I9nTyMR6qi8CuSJ1cUAPZUcqDvBCsWcBtXV2fC_Nc7baIeEpENsUkFwKr3ushAW0Epx_h9X3ggw5KgvgdUjjeg47ib1MPDGC_3whmfrpzM-Tzg/s200/DSCN4347.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I recently received a lovely note from Lori, who sent in these photos of her <i>272 Words</i> finish (excellent work!). Lori included these thoughts about the Gettysburg Address. It's a wonderful birthday message to honor this day:<br />
<br />
"<i>I think Lincoln couldn't have chosen better words during that difficult period of our History to remind us that those that fell during combat did it to allow us to be free, all of us. I think as time carries on we tend to forget what has happened in the past. I think it's "All together fitting & proper" that we always remember those that gave their lives for our Freedom. The feelings that he spoke on November 19, 1863 remain true today."</i><br />
<br />
Thank you, Lori.<br />
<br />
What's a birthday party without some music? Here's the "Ashokan Farewell" (from Ken Burns's <i>The Civil War</i>). Now, how about a slice of cake?<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="290" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UGqBggXvtDE" title="YouTube video player" width="400"></iframe>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-72518995201756603342011-01-28T15:25:00.012-05:002011-01-29T12:45:32.753-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"The best thing about the future is that it </i><br />
<i>comes one day at a time" </i> ~Abraham Lincoln</div><br />
President Lincoln knew a thing or two about time management. I try to focus on one thing at a time, but sometimes life is overwhelming. My mind goes a mile a minute, and in all directions. Time to stop, make a cup of tea and . . . breathe. <br />
<br />
It is said that the young Yo-Yo Ma learned a Bach cello suite by memorizing one measure per day. Just one measure per day. Breaking down large projects into manageable pieces. That seems to be the trick.<br />
<br />
One thing that inspires me to no end is -- <i>Stitchers Who Finish</i>. I love cruising the blogs, admiring the amazing finishes of other stitching addicts. Their energy is contagious and maybe -- just maybe -- I'll get organized and finish that WIP that's been going since . . (gulp) . . . last March. <i>Give me strength</i>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhel5wI3i_j-72UlrvjdT9HY6oAVlSvHnLmhbUcERHlAc-4oCM9EF-7Fvkx03cJ4p8WpwIz4_jiPKZ_Om6_QlI9wCp46aYbj6__B52MWl6lDXHfeYnFHtsQMwBT3PMaZ0IJR5Tdnlw5/s1600/JK+GA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhel5wI3i_j-72UlrvjdT9HY6oAVlSvHnLmhbUcERHlAc-4oCM9EF-7Fvkx03cJ4p8WpwIz4_jiPKZ_Om6_QlI9wCp46aYbj6__B52MWl6lDXHfeYnFHtsQMwBT3PMaZ0IJR5Tdnlw5/s1600/JK+GA.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZud8ddYWXf0xsb4AADYrddTtw3bQtcWbEMaPg6tHhxoGc2uvT30s40-HmRSs5f7r0HAGRTl9v7Y5SaOpFiC2xpJyHa4oQi3fFrT4RHZMgM72I4hTBmZMr1B5IoIt26A4k_F2EtCt/s1600/JK+GA+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZud8ddYWXf0xsb4AADYrddTtw3bQtcWbEMaPg6tHhxoGc2uvT30s40-HmRSs5f7r0HAGRTl9v7Y5SaOpFiC2xpJyHa4oQi3fFrT4RHZMgM72I4hTBmZMr1B5IoIt26A4k_F2EtCt/s200/JK+GA+2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Last week I heard from Jennifer K., who finished her own version of "272 Words." She provided these pictures of her completed journey. Well done, Jennifer! Thank you for keeping President Lincoln's words alive and fresh in our minds. <br />
<br />
Your "272 Words" finishes are important and ever-inspiring . . . please drop me an email if you've crossed the finish line. Or . . . if you're in the midst of stitching the piece, I'm equipped with bottles of chartreuse-colored electrolyte drinks and high-protein energy bars to vociferously cheer you on from the sidelines. Compression pants and sweat bands are available, as well.<br />
<br />
Having stitched the piece myself, I had my own "commitment" issues! (<i>Maintain</i> your energy levels with chocolate.) It's tough sometimes, but we all complete marathons in our own personal way.<br />
<br />
There's something about stitched words on linen . . . it's magic, isn't it?La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-82290531762880206882010-12-27T17:20:00.013-05:002010-12-30T00:02:44.020-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Everybody likes a compliment." ~<i>Abraham Lincoln</i></div><br />
So true, Mr. President. So true. Compliments reveal themselves in various ways.<br />
<br />
When we create something -- be it a meal, a painting, an article of clothing -- we are gratified to see our work become a moment, however fleeting, in someone else's life.<br />
<br />
And so, I was thrilled to hear from <b><a href="http://carolinastitcher.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Faye</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> </span></b>of North Carolina, who stitched an ornament I designed for the <i>2010 Just CrossStitch Ornament Edition</i> -- "Windows of Faith, Hope and Peace." Faye stitched the ornament a few times, changed the colors and framed it to create a new effect. I am so moved by the loving care put into each stitch. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfZlf6A_lue31FD9Cfb9PT6UPO-gkG84L4UAFLuUHR5ndTWASPadJ0f6Jmo2qt1LmLRO-kLs_HAU4vyQtpws54ylJrfOKWzXm3EIxewEc7BzBIMbDvd6wJ_jAng5QKAkpl1SYYU5Z/s1600/Windows+of+FHP+CS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfZlf6A_lue31FD9Cfb9PT6UPO-gkG84L4UAFLuUHR5ndTWASPadJ0f6Jmo2qt1LmLRO-kLs_HAU4vyQtpws54ylJrfOKWzXm3EIxewEc7BzBIMbDvd6wJ_jAng5QKAkpl1SYYU5Z/s400/Windows+of+FHP+CS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Faye gave me permission to post this photo from her remarkable blog,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><b><a href="http://carolinastitcher.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Carolina Stitcher</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">.</span></b> She has an exquisite way with the needle and thread; you'll see many of your favorite designers (<a href="http://www.littlehouseneedleworks.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Little House Needleworks</b></span></a>, <a href="http://www.lizziekate.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Lizzie Kate</b></span></a>, <a href="http://www.rosewoodxstitch.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Rosewood Manor</b></span></a>, etc.) there, among the charming stories.<br />
<br />
Thank you, Faye, for sharing your passion for stitching.<br />
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And thank you all -- Dear Readers -- for visiting throughout the year and sharing your stitching stories through your own windows of faith, hope and peace.<br />
<br />
May 2011 bring blessings to you and your families.La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-24813618790012384252010-09-11T01:49:00.004-04:002010-09-11T01:52:55.525-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">September 11, 2001</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">New York City</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Shanksville, Pennsylvania</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Nine years.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The heart that truly loves, never forgets</span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UP-j1FsJbLbo1IqhrMMufo_FX3g7mYP5SKsmOYaMm7KSRPJ1jslE1aeZg-VUjKXOeEYf_bhZeQo5utEv9NmD7yBv7WePmZsxnwQarK_GzcbkQKoNjvgbBuWn1oK6x6kaTj4ij55s/s1600/WTC+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UP-j1FsJbLbo1IqhrMMufo_FX3g7mYP5SKsmOYaMm7KSRPJ1jslE1aeZg-VUjKXOeEYf_bhZeQo5utEv9NmD7yBv7WePmZsxnwQarK_GzcbkQKoNjvgbBuWn1oK6x6kaTj4ij55s/s1600/WTC+Blue.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><br />
</i></div></div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-5041788145080451552010-08-17T18:35:00.011-04:002010-08-17T22:47:35.841-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4IwXTaX1d1EBV6KJO3XD660VOX3FP6NySxXWCzY2ZY9gBFp_tr541EeBis0MiZ3GhYUjIKhuljvv9LEHRbN4tP2nLNnYndCExEY-Dyz0O4rwvWWcsfFaVhRJtW0l8M1DGOgh1s2G/s1600/Quincy+2+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4IwXTaX1d1EBV6KJO3XD660VOX3FP6NySxXWCzY2ZY9gBFp_tr541EeBis0MiZ3GhYUjIKhuljvv9LEHRbN4tP2nLNnYndCExEY-Dyz0O4rwvWWcsfFaVhRJtW0l8M1DGOgh1s2G/s400/Quincy+2+009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><i>I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it. </i> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">~Abraham Lincoln</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Abraham Lincoln was famous for his love of animals, and I think he'd approve of Quincy the cat, since he bears the middle name of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Quincy_Adams"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">John Quincy Adams</span></a></b>, our sixth President who was in office when Lincoln was teenager.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">Quincy walked into this household on Friday and with the swish of a tail, promptly made himself at home. I adopted him (or, er . . . he adopted me) through the <a href="http://wahicats.org/default.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Washington Heights Cat Colony</b></span></a>. (<i>Washington</i> -- another U.S. President!) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">Quincy's story is on the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><a href="http://crosswordcity.blogspot.com/2010/08/coming-home.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">crossword blog</span></b></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">. He is a tough little guy, a real survivor.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
I'm counting on Quincy to help with the stitching. His job is to keep all the floss in order, without even<i> thinking</i> about swatting, pawing or twisting it into knotted, amorphous, unrecognizable shapes.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
Right.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-74099154312274012010-07-28T23:00:00.010-04:002010-07-28T23:40:27.204-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzCcf-apbZoNHevl1FJQcVNeQbFsk-itZGCKzAJsM5QK3ldwAzWv1fyFLXF-85K1MaNJnxySsKX4MFexAqXCH3yCaMsMCRKtK-7KQSaBXl07RaCUVRzPR0WMhc_GbmD0ic1RUPCYh/s1600/Ott+Lite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzCcf-apbZoNHevl1FJQcVNeQbFsk-itZGCKzAJsM5QK3ldwAzWv1fyFLXF-85K1MaNJnxySsKX4MFexAqXCH3yCaMsMCRKtK-7KQSaBXl07RaCUVRzPR0WMhc_GbmD0ic1RUPCYh/s320/Ott+Lite.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"My evil genius Procrastination has whispered me to tarry 'til a more convenient season."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">~Mary Todd Lincoln</div><br />
Day after day of pounding heat . . . the result is -- I'm not sure if I'm awake or asleep. My goal is to try to be in-the-moment lucid -- whether I'm dreaming or awake, and just "make it work," as they say on <i>Project Runway</i>. <br />
<br />
Fortunately, none of my jobs require that I operate heavy machinery. Rest assured -- that person with the jackhammer, cracking open the sidewalk at Broadway and 110th Street . . . is <i>not </i>me. It's still safe to visit New York City.<br />
<br />
But there is a problem. It's been a while since my last post. And between business trips and work and other challenges, I'm struggling with the motivation to stitch. I haven't lost my love for stitching . . . what's missing is the discipline to concentrate and finish a project. Yes . . . it's serious.<br />
<br />
Hi, my name is Liz. I have finishing resistance.<br />
<br />
It would be helpful to hear from other stitchers who've been in my shoes. I need your advice. Is this normal? Does it happen to others? Has it happened to you? Will I ever get my mojo back? (I used to stitch speeches made by U.S. Presidents . . . <i>those </i>were the days.) Is an intervention in order? Herbs? Topical applications? <br />
<br />
Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated.<br />
<br />
Signed,<br />
<br />
Sleepless in NYCLa Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-59234160024802445932010-02-12T15:37:00.005-05:002010-02-12T16:16:16.328-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuSF482ysD2U8oE_NVg2TlSWrJKFRYvYGw5RbAKPIPgJw_JFR3zK_EIz3XY9oCe0F_4DaiPYsjWzy05F4vidNOXuzH1Q-kKbm8Tr1HNEONKM36ptxnWzH8CPuMtRWTYhkQ8W-veE-/s1600-h/Lincoln+Birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuSF482ysD2U8oE_NVg2TlSWrJKFRYvYGw5RbAKPIPgJw_JFR3zK_EIz3XY9oCe0F_4DaiPYsjWzy05F4vidNOXuzH1Q-kKbm8Tr1HNEONKM36ptxnWzH8CPuMtRWTYhkQ8W-veE-/s320/Lincoln+Birthday.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"Happy 201st Birthday, Mr. President!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's Abraham Lincoln's birthday, and I have to think that the President would get a kick out of receiving some Hallmark cards in the mail or birthday e-cards. He liked a good joke -- I suspect he'd like the goofy humorous cards over the serious ones.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you, Mr. President, for preserving the Union during a terrible Civil War. If the American House had divided, who knows where we'd be? I might be blogging from another country, writing in another language and there would be no Gettysburg Address to stitch. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Today marks another mini-birthday -- the first stitch of "272 Words" was laid down <a href="http://howtomakeanamericansampler.blogspot.com/2009_02_12_archive.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">one year ago today</span></b></a>. What a year it's been . . . I didn't start out intending to write a chart. I wanted to stitch the great words of Abraham Lincoln during his bicentennial year. It was a crazy dream and I thought I could wing it and improvise along the way.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But a funny thing happened in the weeks following February 12, 2009 -- I started receiving emails and messages from Lincoln fans who proudly recited the Gettysburg Address from memory. Would there be a chart? It soon became clear that I needed to draw a map of this journey, and that made all the difference. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you all, for your encouragement and suggestions. I ripped out more stitches than I stitched . . . but the result was, I hope, a simple and respectful presentation of Lincoln's words. Today marks the next phase of the creative process -- the individual interpretations of "272 Words" based on stitchers' personal choices. I'm thrilled to hear from stitchers who have chosen their favorite linen colors, linen counts and floss colors to make the design. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I look forward to seeing your samplers, as we honor President Lincoln in the coming year. His tricentennial is only 99 years away! I'll set up a gallery to showcase the photos of your samplers. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. You've made a dream into a reality.</div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-46406270542312497622010-02-10T14:46:00.011-05:002010-05-26T09:08:44.731-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtGsgB0Mp4HXAyW4CZOGUhFgn-XpJ9vTt8VWMdulstoPf4DvWW8LWjsiSWm5onkhNPaQV4iKRC46XFStfelUz7xF-AfUe1s4rzUG9X7O5nVeejWVAo3RiwNnUtdXXFqATCJS1Xz01/s1600-h/Lincoln+Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtGsgB0Mp4HXAyW4CZOGUhFgn-XpJ9vTt8VWMdulstoPf4DvWW8LWjsiSWm5onkhNPaQV4iKRC46XFStfelUz7xF-AfUe1s4rzUG9X7O5nVeejWVAo3RiwNnUtdXXFqATCJS1Xz01/s320/Lincoln+Books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"<i>The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I ain't read</i>"</div><div style="text-align: center;">~ Abraham Lincoln ~<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday we heard a collective groan from thousands of parents who learned that New York City public schools would close today, in anticipation of the snowstorm. Mayor Bloomberg's announcement sent parents into overdrive -- scurrying to make arrangements for child care or taking a day off from work. The powerful storm has pounded the East Coast, and we're urged to stay home. The Mayor made the right decision -- it's a blizzard out there.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Snowy days make me want to read for hours on end. Later today, after I make another trip outside, earn a living and tackle the third to-do list of the day . . . I plan to do just that. I'll read a bit of David Herbert Donald's biography on Lincoln (<i>Lincoln</i>). And later, it's <i>The Friday Night Knitting Club</i> by Kate Jacobs. This seems like an appropriate literary one-two punch on a snowy night.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you're planning to visit NYC anytime soon, please check out the excellent <a href="http://www.lincolnandnewyork.org/about.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>"Lincoln and New York" exhibit at The New York Historical Society</b></span></a>. It runs through March 25. My favorite part of the exhibit was the studio set-up that featured the camera Mathew Brady used to photograph Lincoln in his (Brady's) New York studio. We were bowled over by the life-sized hologram of<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Abraham_Lincoln_1860.jpg"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">Lincoln's photographed image</span></b></a>. After the exhibit, you can take a walk in Central Park (it's right across the street) and then repair for dinner . . . what a nice way to spend a winter's day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH36snIkLRxM1zvbvU9BFq0avzdn2b7ZOwRBnnV1VzOCgabFDIIcFGxzWKSHqCrG8pvfxtDYaYSzvY5NnQharJhvowQ8Otx2cR9v8srwrXV-KlNQulLrVIIU74XEn3ovoSSHZSaKOW/s1600-h/Founding+Fathers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH36snIkLRxM1zvbvU9BFq0avzdn2b7ZOwRBnnV1VzOCgabFDIIcFGxzWKSHqCrG8pvfxtDYaYSzvY5NnQharJhvowQ8Otx2cR9v8srwrXV-KlNQulLrVIIU74XEn3ovoSSHZSaKOW/s200/Founding+Fathers.jpg" width="131" /></a>Thomas Fleming is one of the finest writers of books on early American history. He's a rarity among authors; his historical novels are as entertaining as his non-fiction work. Fleming's new book sounds delicious: <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Intimate-Lives-Founding-Fathers/dp/0061139122"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers</span></b></a></i> is about as good a title as they come. I'd love to know what the wives of the Founding Fathers thought of their husbands.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Falling snow. A comfortable chair. Hot chocolate. A good book. Ah . . . </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Stay warm!</div></div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-31037814523542128992010-01-22T17:13:00.025-05:002010-01-22T19:59:31.113-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVRLe_hJ3BAHXKiV9Wf32FEWTciiHhxXFTcfn92EyEGpR9SrpqTM6nVtg_OpW45-G1by0w1r7drMc8617wfHGOUaLJ9TWC9yoq9WQY64EBa4o_riF4yQPp672QyxryvQ4Vuc67Dzp/s1600-h/GA+and+scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVRLe_hJ3BAHXKiV9Wf32FEWTciiHhxXFTcfn92EyEGpR9SrpqTM6nVtg_OpW45-G1by0w1r7drMc8617wfHGOUaLJ9TWC9yoq9WQY64EBa4o_riF4yQPp672QyxryvQ4Vuc67Dzp/s320/GA+and+scarf.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"A capacity and taste for reading gives access to whatever has already been </i><br />
<i>discovered by others" </i><br />
<i><span style="font-style: normal;">~Abraham Lincoln</span></i><br />
</div><br />
I want my handwriting back! My script is a casualty of the Computer Age, its decreasing legibility directly proportional to the number of hours spent at the QWERTY keyboard. The handwriting is on the wall -- my penmanship is awful. If Costco sells Liquid Paper by the gallon, I'm buying.<br />
<br />
Nice handwriting was once my pride and joy. There's even a Penmanship Award in my past. In high school, I loved practicing the alphabet for purely aesthetic reasons. But there was an ulterior motive: beautiful handwriting <i>might</i> eke out some extra points on an English or History test. I'll never know if my illuminated manuscripts helped with the grades, but it's comforting to think that I was conscious about <i>something</i> in high school.<br />
<br />
If Abraham Lincoln had had access to a laptop, we wouldn't have history on paper, namely --<span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span><a href="http://www.virtualgettysburg.com/exhibit/lincoln/feature.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>t</b></span><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>he five known manuscripts of the Gettysburg Address</b></span></a> written in the President's hand. Today we might see presidential signatures, but handwritten documents of this length are a thing of the past. The variations among Lincoln's versions of the Address offer a fascinating dimension to the text of his great speech. While I'm grateful for the Computer Age (we wouldn't have blogs!), I'm glad that Lincoln didn't text, compute or Twitter into the wild blue ethernet. This collection of handwritten Lincoln manuscripts is a national treasure.<br />
<br />
The Electronic Age, of course, has revolutionized the art of research. Today I came across Geoff Elliott's superb blog, <a href="http://abrahamlincolnblog.blogspot.com/"><b><i>The Abraham Lincoln Blog</i></b></a><b><i>.</i></b> Geoff has done the heavy lifting for years; he covers every aspect of Lincoln's life, and more. I'm planning to read it bit by bit over the next few weeks.<br />
<br />
This morning I had coffee with my dear friends Joshua and Jorge, who just returned from a trip to Thailand, Cambodia and Hawaii. They presented me with an exquisite handwoven silk scarf made by <a href="http://www.artisansdangkor.com/"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Artisans d'Angkor</span></b></a> of Cambodia. This consortium is devoted to handmade artisanal arts -- weaving, carving and sculpting. What strikes me about this scarf (featured in the photo) is how perfectly it matches the colors of the sampler. Thank you J & J, for your lovely gift -- I'm wearing it out tonight. Not the sampler -- only the scarf!<br />
<br />
Have a happy and artisanal weekend!La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-89470565029749883842010-01-05T15:23:00.023-05:002010-01-06T17:05:13.321-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Qb7tZysg4JMijBvaG635_uIvTbVHDx5C0UubecvFjMGbsqAexpK3uF50RK8ne777195-iHHweXmdWjDZ0rIOiI1aSRlMY92tr6le0bkLGZhySuMrnRhNkTbZdsDHuU22zKrSeJYX/s1600-h/Pictures+Apple+079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Qb7tZysg4JMijBvaG635_uIvTbVHDx5C0UubecvFjMGbsqAexpK3uF50RK8ne777195-iHHweXmdWjDZ0rIOiI1aSRlMY92tr6le0bkLGZhySuMrnRhNkTbZdsDHuU22zKrSeJYX/s320/Pictures+Apple+079.jpg" /></a><br />
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"<i>I don't like that man. I must get to know him better</i>" ~Abraham Lincoln<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Ott Lite I'd been eying for a while is here. It's a Christmas gift from my brother, Roman, and I just love it. (Thank you, bro!) It's small, cute, portable . . . and pink! My plan was to take it to stitching club events or use it as an extra light source during string quartet rehearsals.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But no . . . the new lamp has become the centerpiece of the worktable. I keep turning it on and off during the day, when there's plenty of natural sunlight -- just to see it in action. I love the illuminated on/off button that doubles as a tiny night light. Under the new little light, mundane tasks became mildly interesting -- paying the first bills of 2010, decluttering the overstuffed recipe file, removing a splinter from my thumb.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In the back of my mind I keep hearing the dialogue between Meg Ryan and Rosie O'Donnell in <i>Sleepless in Seattle. </i>"It's a sign!" one of them would cry, when ordinary events took on special meanings. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Maybe the new little pink lamp is a not-so-subtle sign for the New Year: To look at things in a new light.<br />
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To be thankful for being able to pay the bills . . . for having a kitchen to cook in . . . for having fingers to catch splinters in . . . to, as President Lincoln suggests in the opening quote, be the first to say hello.<br />
</div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-20500802558937375882009-12-26T16:59:00.012-05:002009-12-29T15:18:39.013-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinz9memzm1nQu8devQ2w55JzqLm3UYcUkkD47PCJvKsJTOlF1ICr-_MkCt8p6To958Ppb75816o1qj3TbooaEL1L8gdxm4s9qswxPWwFWAujjAGCDWqkMit5tB5Ug7UFGZNMDMX1Od/s320/Flower+Boxes+animation.jpg" /><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">"<i>Happy In-Between Week</i>!"<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">D</span>on't you just love the week before New Year's? People seem less stressed out, or maybe they're just plain exhausted after the holiday celebrations. I'm moving very slowly today, reaching for plain tea, clear soups and roasted vegetables to offset the effects of some culinary "indiscretions." No more soy gingerbread lattes for a while!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">With gratitude, I wish you all the best New Year ever. Let's make 2010 a year to remember. Last year was personally memorable because of your joining in this Lincoln Bicentennial celebration. As long as there's an Internet, this blog will go on. Lincoln's Bicentennial year is still going strong, until February 12, 2010.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If I may, I'd like to use this forum to announce a new venture. As some of you know, I'm a crossword puzzle constructor in my other life; I've also designed some crossword patterns under the Primrose Needleworks label. This week I launched Crossword City, where I'll blog about puzzles,words, life (and in the future, some stitching subjects). <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Puzzle folks are familiar with ETUI; it's a crossword favorite. For years, ETUI was considered an obscure remnant of crosswordese, until a few stitchers reached into their stitching bags and bopped the accusers' heads with solid evidence. Didn't Caesar the Stitcher really say "<i>Etui Brute</i>?" on the Senate steps? We continue to fight the good fight and I won't stop until AIDA is clued as a stitching fabric, and not only as a Verdi opera.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Crossword City can be found here: <a href="http://crosswordcity.blogspot.com/">http://crosswordcity.blogspot.com/</a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Enjoy in-between week and I hope you'll take time to do the right thing -- stitching is the right thing . . . right? Good tidings to all!<br />
</div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-70783453287289778812009-12-23T01:04:00.012-05:002009-12-23T13:59:38.701-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGLoR3XGoNST8lUGotigNqa-DGmFeCTtFLaPSD6PMFPKucw0zrCKqQbqGKfVmfNNOsXHE8by6uv-dh5k1MElPR-WHT2nipc6coorPrhJpWYfYAmiVfu5cFquAxIVL9bdjE1wusJBD/s1600-h/GA+blog+Dec+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGLoR3XGoNST8lUGotigNqa-DGmFeCTtFLaPSD6PMFPKucw0zrCKqQbqGKfVmfNNOsXHE8by6uv-dh5k1MElPR-WHT2nipc6coorPrhJpWYfYAmiVfu5cFquAxIVL9bdjE1wusJBD/s320/GA+blog+Dec+23.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"I never had a policy. I have just tried to do my best each and every day."</i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Abraham Lincoln<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As I write Christmas cards and reflect back on the year, I see angels. People who help you solve problems, go the extra mile and take time from their busy schedules to lend an ear. Tawny and Don Korty, the owners of Where Victoria's Angels Stitch (a needlework shop), are such people. The Abraham Lincoln quote applies to them -- they do their best each and every day.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shortly after I finished stitching "272 Words" in July, I took the sampler to Don and Tawny's shop for framing. They immediately mobilized into full gear. Don presented a number of frame choices for me to choose from, and this one jumped out. It looks very 19th century-ish. Don suggested this simple, but substantial frame from a huge collection of samples -- too extensive for me to look at without becoming dizzy. The top photo shows the carved detail. I love it! Thank you Don and Tawny for being my angels. Your shop is aptly named. (Here they are in their beautiful shop.)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYILTPllokHL_SUJXdb411Xz8Z7upNhTpDlFigZUwQ5Yd9rE4eEUIbymVNz-PqXhSI7kaBhwTpU5N3TCdXoA7hW4vUqBkuK7GK_QxiJoIxATQbvMU53AXnXuk6aMoycFZYDKf9jX3c/s1600-h/WVAS+photo+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYILTPllokHL_SUJXdb411Xz8Z7upNhTpDlFigZUwQ5Yd9rE4eEUIbymVNz-PqXhSI7kaBhwTpU5N3TCdXoA7hW4vUqBkuK7GK_QxiJoIxATQbvMU53AXnXuk6aMoycFZYDKf9jX3c/s320/WVAS+photo+Blog.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://wvas.net/default.aspx"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Where Victoria's Angels Stitch</b></span></a> is located in Clifton, N.J. -- a short bus ride from Port Authority Terminal in Manhattan. The bus stops in front of their store -- so convenient for NYC visitors and us car-less New Yorkers! I call it New York City's local needlework shop because, though in New Jersey, it often takes less time for me to get to Clifton than to my friend's house in Brooklyn. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPHTGWRDaSmMfahKxufFzCkYmUI1prKGTtbZD5QOpjr1LUi3ZrIV6gunAUSQwwu6-E0zBhZHqXh-lu_bx2EK9W3WJPJ277OxdhmImJXyScjbrxqxp1QQcapthyA-9JvjXCeXUN_u-/s1600-h/Cropped+Angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPHTGWRDaSmMfahKxufFzCkYmUI1prKGTtbZD5QOpjr1LUi3ZrIV6gunAUSQwwu6-E0zBhZHqXh-lu_bx2EK9W3WJPJ277OxdhmImJXyScjbrxqxp1QQcapthyA-9JvjXCeXUN_u-/s320/Cropped+Angel.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And here are the Rockefeller Center angels . . . on a recent night before the first snow. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.<br />
</div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-34240159625967948562009-12-12T14:13:00.028-05:002009-12-13T02:49:49.203-05:00<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVkxhcu-l-Uh5FdpUUp34e15cPoH0rzBS6JXfK19NM79ZjzB96bFtyI8kXlEfR5oGVwDrKgTvZ7JVOmijh2BE2LHGEaWbI1eg4u2A10n2DH0SF0sIuQea_LMjgJhM-OzTePL8wiYY/s400/GA+Final+Stitch.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414432024053388610" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"<i>Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy</i>" ~Benjamin Franklin</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not a beer drinker, and in lacking such first-hand knowledge, I can't attest to the benefits of beer. But I reckon that the folks at <a href="http://www.mcsorleysnewyork.com/home.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">McSorley's Old Ale House</span></b></a> concur with Ben Franklin's "spiritual" observation. McSorley's of East 7th Street began serving ale 150 years ago. It's New York City's oldest continuously-pouring saloon. Woody Guthrie, John Lennon, Teddy Roosevelt . . . and Abraham Lincoln drank there. (Not at the same time, of course!) McSorley's is a short walk from Cooper Union, where, on February 27, 1860 -- Abraham gave his famed speech. Historians believe that the impact of the Cooper Union speech set the stage for Lincoln's winning the Presidential election in November of the same year. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And so, if you drop by McSorley's for a half pint, you'll follow in President Lincoln's footsteps. McSorley's also made history in 1970 when, with a little nudging from the U.S. Supreme Court, it allowed women in for first time. After that, their old slogan, "Good Ale, Raw Onions and No Ladies" would be only two-thirds accurate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some sampler business: I've created a <a href="http://howtomakeanamericansampler.blogspot.com/2007/12/stitching-tips-and-sampler-stats.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Stitching Tips 'n Sampler Stats</span></b></a> page for the "272 Words" chart, based on FAQs, to be updated as needed (see right-hand column).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To answer Laura's question (see previous post) about stitching the piece on other counts, over one, or with one thread -- I can't say whether it would work or not. (Not a great answer, I'm sorry!) It's a very dense sampler; I therefore like the "largeness" of the piece. House guests walk over to the piece immediately upon entering the room . . . the sheer size makes a statement. The large size also makes the Address readable from a distance. I'm nearsighted, and the letters are visible from afar.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The model is stitched on 32-count linen, two strands over two threads. I'm putting out a request to the experienced and talented stitchers on this list: If anyone plans to experiment with different counts, or over-one stitching -- please keep us apprised. I'd love to see the results. Laura, stay tuned!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And to get into the holiday spirit . . . . we snapped this photo last night in Rockefeller Center, on the coldest day of this season. Keep warm!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6ykrv-iu5_525hJjLIH6RDkcEVsxh2MGOpMclPOBDl4BlIUQbQudXuVmBW9lPm7xXklIBM1d56KnHMPiRFixrs93QuZSt0L6DvFo3oqz3xzKs6ne-8k7_3ggRNklr7xMTKDZeEyX/s400/Pictures+Apple+043.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414431241841755026" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-75643663881483814062009-12-04T12:50:00.038-05:002009-12-04T22:11:17.405-05:00<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZOUXkO5BBP3OhMai6VggD0aidOa4CSYfW9M08Y8UzV62dAotM1IEFrNxkQrohc9-LT7PG11-na0k22uxMwLoYvP5-nUILXyfDF0slBAwHEfX-WeAWn_2mvI-hLQ-WL91gfiVnnXa/s400/Cropped+Apple.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411440021529490194" /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Everywhere is within walking distance . . . </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>if you have the time" ~Steven Wright</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now that the "272 Words" chart has been published, I thought it might be helpful to offer some stitching tips specific to this design. Some of these points are based on questions from stitchers and store owners. I'll update this post as questions arise, and bookmark it to the site. Here are some general guidelines:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">~ TECHNIQUE: Technically, this is a very simple stitching project. The pattern calls for full cross stitches only. No backstitching, French Knots or Algerian Eyelets. Nothing fancy. Just plain old vanilla -- full cross stitches. The real challenge, I think, is endurance -- the time involved in stitching a piece that's 349w x 375h . . . roughly 22" wide and 24" high. As Steven Wright says: "Everywhere is within walking distance . . . if you have the time." I am reminded of how Yo Yo Ma first learned the Bach Cello Suites; his father instructed him to learn one measure <i>per day. One measure! </i>A measure here, a measure there -- after a few months, you've got a <i>Gigue</i> and a <i>Courante </i>under your fingers. So to with stitching . . . a word or two per day . . . in a few months you'll have the Gettysburg Address on linen. (Of course, we stitchers know that we can't restrict ourselves to merely one word a day . . . stitching is too darn fun!) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">~ MODEL: The model is stitched entirely in colors from The Gentle Art. DMC equivalents are provided, but, using <i>Mad Men</i> marketing parlance . . . "results may vary" if the piece is stitched with DMC only, or a GAST/DMC combo.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">~ THREADS: The colors are largely localized, with GAST Nutmeg the color of Lincoln's words. The <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkfsZORJJO8HqjvHaWfcce04bAgumlO_cQOWbmLzTlS-XS0VNA1x9-6RVHphFEc2_NI_onNlLDNYNDOMuQGOqJ1CrtMS3Wb5xYmgPPSn9U2octJjZRFRz6jNZVD-pn1rLd1nsBq5R/s1600-h/GA+Sampler+Framed+8A.JPG"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">"Gettysburg" caption part </span></b></a>is stitched in green (Chives). The chart calls for 10 skeins of Nutmeg (I used 5-yd. skeins). This is a generous skein count -- allowing for frogging and adjustments for variance in overdyed thread color values. I used the darker parts of the Nutmeg skeins for the capital letters, as a way to accentuate the beginnings of the sentences . . . especially the opening words, and important capitalized words like "Liberty" and "God."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">~ STARS: The 50 red and blue stars (stitched in Mulberry and Freedom) contain no political message in terms of red and blue states. The aim was to have "<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqagLP-S3hORtfXXGaPJUgsXBPZKd6zCVPJT9f_QVUgsijg78yl3XIhaQ8i4EKR6XwUowIRUGo-ULC75S0fYE-N_CE0Lvf6QUsnt47kfIVqUS5o4ZC8ksQKedpNGswA-dkquCd_tl/s1600/Gettysb+1.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b>ABRAHAM LINCOLN" stitched in an "Chief Executive" blue (GA Freedom)</b></span></a> -- suggestive of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_Of_The_President_Of_The_Unites_States_Of_America.svg"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">The Presidential Seal</span></b></a><b>.</b> The two stars on either side of his name are in Mulberry, to offset the blue. (Okay, so I'm a recovering Political Science major, but politics is a subject for other venues.) :) There's no doubt that our 50-state complement was made possible by Lincoln's preservation of the Union. Each of the 50 stars in the sampler is identical in size; the entire complement is included to show strength in numbers. Again, inspired by the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_Of_The_President_Of_The_Unites_States_Of_America.svg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">Presidential Seal</span></b></span></a> with its 50 white stars in a circular pattern.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll update this "Stitching Tips" list as questions arise. Of course, these are just guidelines. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally -- why is there an apple in the photo? I had a piece of Lambswool left over from the "272 Words" cut of linen. The apple is part of a small new design. Isn't it amazing that the same cut of linen looks completely different against an alternate color palette? It's the miracle that takes place when thread meets linen . . . isn't that why we love to stitch? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a good weekend! "272 Words" recently went on a road trip across town, at the invitation of our local EGA Chapter. More on that next week. Ciao! </div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-22169460654208283002009-11-25T12:22:00.019-05:002009-12-01T00:41:20.371-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEffR-5SZdIThDkYJkjMsT8PS_Tw4K63r_jitWRqUwAkyFmsGlUZm05gb8xSzZUaLpqCLrkFkujQHDlH91GUjvkJaZrnZ7Rq0rof2JKr9B6ABfcNRfo2OjXOW8hXvh7OgFJVn-8ha/s1600/GA+Cover+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEffR-5SZdIThDkYJkjMsT8PS_Tw4K63r_jitWRqUwAkyFmsGlUZm05gb8xSzZUaLpqCLrkFkujQHDlH91GUjvkJaZrnZ7Rq0rof2JKr9B6ABfcNRfo2OjXOW8hXvh7OgFJVn-8ha/s400/GA+Cover+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409012828424831698" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;"><p align="justify" style="text-align: center;"><i>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanksgiving and Abraham Lincoln</span>"</i></p><p align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">We have President Abraham Lincoln to thank for declaring Thanksgiving (first celebrated at Plymouth in 1621) a national holiday to be observed annually on the last Thursday of November. Thanksgiving, in the President's words, would be "acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people."</span></p><p align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">The first national observance took place about a week after The President delivered the Gettysburg Address in November 1863.</span></p><p align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">And . . . it is said that Abraham Lincoln was the first President to pardon a Thanksgiving turkey. </span></p><p align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">November 1863 was quite an historic month!</span></p><p align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Today we're shopping, cooking, cleaning, travelling . . . prepping for tomorrow, the big day. I have much to be thankful for this year, including your visits today, and throughout this bicentennial year. Thank you!</span></p><p align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">In remembrance of Thanksgiving 1863, we present the text of President Lincoln's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation. I'm struck by the beautiful prose, imagery and reverent tone of his words:</span></p><blockquote><p align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the everwatchful providence of almighty God.</i></span></span></p><p align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and provoke their aggressions, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict; while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.</i></span></span></p><p align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.</i></span></span></p><p align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the most high God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.</i></span></span></p><p align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.</i></span></span></p><p align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United Stated States to be affixed.</i></span></span></p><p align="right" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i>PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION</i></span></p><p align="right" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i>(Issued on OCTOBER 3, 1863)</i></span></p></blockquote></span>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-64283826398939701012009-11-19T11:47:00.030-05:002009-11-19T17:10:54.787-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqagLP-S3hORtfXXGaPJUgsXBPZKd6zCVPJT9f_QVUgsijg78yl3XIhaQ8i4EKR6XwUowIRUGo-ULC75S0fYE-N_CE0Lvf6QUsnt47kfIVqUS5o4ZC8ksQKedpNGswA-dkquCd_tl/s1600/Gettysb+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqagLP-S3hORtfXXGaPJUgsXBPZKd6zCVPJT9f_QVUgsijg78yl3XIhaQ8i4EKR6XwUowIRUGo-ULC75S0fYE-N_CE0Lvf6QUsnt47kfIVqUS5o4ZC8ksQKedpNGswA-dkquCd_tl/s400/Gettysb+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405857661677142994" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"146 Years Ago Today"</div><div><br /></div><div>On this day, 146 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln delivered a 272-word address at the dedication of <a href="http://www.nps.gov/archive/gett/gncem.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">The Soldiers National Cemetery</span></a> in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The President arrived at the burial ground on horseback (a chestnut bay) as part of a procession that included members his cabinet, dignitaries, townspeople and war widows. It was a long day for the President. He joined the procession at 9:30 A.M. and made his "dedicatory remarks" in the afternoon, during a ceremony that featured, among other things, prayers, musical offerings and a two-hour oration by former Secretary of State Edward Everett.</div><div><br /></div><div>One segment of Ken Burns' 11-hour <a href="http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><i>The Civil War</i></span></a> documentary (1990) continues to haunt me after all these years. Episode 5 (there are nine altogether) ends with Sam Waterston reciting the Gettysburg Address, with the Ashokan Farewell playing in the background. Waterston's recitation is a voiceover -- on screen we see actual photos from the Civil War battlefield. I was moved to tears hearing the profound beauty of Lincoln's words, as the period photos flashed across the screen.</div><div><br /></div><div>This Lincoln montage features the musical soundtrack of Burns' <i>The Civil War</i>. The beautiful Ashokan Farewell, composed and performed by Jay Ungar, is a fitting backdrop for a recitation of the Gettysburg Address on this day.</div><div><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UGqBggXvtDE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UGqBggXvtDE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"Four score and seven years ago</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.</span></i><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.</span></i><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate...we can not consecrate...we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government: of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> ~Abraham Lincoln</span></i></div></div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-35628653514686298812009-11-11T11:54:00.015-05:002009-11-11T16:56:30.637-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2i7A65p2YkyfU-azgPEySmolAd7brj9Onue4OELIV7EZYf_L25gK53WEPwwCN0uGlxiY2gFTMzkSogVsxx_7K2ijZ2eWtSL2spByzEphmWrkssX2B4Lm7TqUioJAcfXm4o8j5gou/s1600-h/Gettysburg+Wave+GA+blog.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2i7A65p2YkyfU-azgPEySmolAd7brj9Onue4OELIV7EZYf_L25gK53WEPwwCN0uGlxiY2gFTMzkSogVsxx_7K2ijZ2eWtSL2spByzEphmWrkssX2B4Lm7TqUioJAcfXm4o8j5gou/s400/Gettysburg+Wave+GA+blog.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402890976424753170" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"Veterans Day -- Remembering"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A few minutes ago, at 11 A.M., a parade started up Fifth Avenue, in commemoration of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Day"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Veterans Day</span></a>. On this 11th day of the 11th month, and at the 11th hour -- we remember and honor the men and women who serve our country.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you stroll through Riverside Park south of 96th Street (where Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks finally meet at the end of <i>You've Got Mail</i>), you'll see a white marble structure looming from above. I call it my little Acropolis, since it reminds me of the Parthenon perched atop the steep hill in Athens. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldiers'_and_Sailors'_Monument_(New_York)">The Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Monument</a>, </span></b>dedicated to the soldiers and sailors who served during the Civil War. It's a beautifully-situated monument; from the promenade one sees sweeping views of the Hudson River. At night, the lights of George Washington Bridge twinkle in the distance. A perfect place to take a moment to remember.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With gratitude, I thank the Veterans who have served this country with courage and honor.</div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-80806453182876953672009-11-10T15:07:00.017-05:002009-11-11T14:25:03.571-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW_xkZagrA0D5GkJYrtIcKdX3HcYMw9lVmGJ5dm71TFeNZX0yoZOHvuGzh2eqOFmohrk-O-_bm-3VyXhbDAUFHjCeTsfI7VPNF_YTu_DQA6_NHvJxRC__IPpoW4h7LjqGnwDJ49bk/s1600-h/Top+FC+Closeup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW_xkZagrA0D5GkJYrtIcKdX3HcYMw9lVmGJ5dm71TFeNZX0yoZOHvuGzh2eqOFmohrk-O-_bm-3VyXhbDAUFHjCeTsfI7VPNF_YTu_DQA6_NHvJxRC__IPpoW4h7LjqGnwDJ49bk/s400/Top+FC+Closeup.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402929116884252482" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Abraham Lincoln: <i>Thoughtful Orator"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Just popping in to say a quick hello and verify that I am still here. These last weeks have been a whirlwind of work, deadlines, family obligations and dealing with all manner of surprises. I'm catching my breath today, and taking care of business around the office -- happy to write a few words here.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The "272 Words" chart is almost finished, and scheduled for release in a few weeks -- to coincide with the November 19th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you're in the New York area this winter, please drop in on this exhibit "<a href="http://www.lincolnandnewyork.org/new_man_in_town.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Lincoln and New York," at The New York Historical Society</span></a>. It runs through March 25, 2010. I haven't seen the exhibit yet, but it's on the calendar for December, and I can't wait. And dig this <a href="http://www.lincolnandnewyork.org/hate_love.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">on-line depiction</span></a> of Lincoln's popularity among the press -- it brings new meaning to the term "political roller coaster." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper_Union"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">Cooper Union</span></a>, where Lincoln delivered one of his great speeches, is also a good place to visit while in NYC. It places you smack-dab in the Village, not far from one of my favorite restaurants, <a href="http://www.gothambarandgrill.com/content/view/15/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;">The Gotham Bar and Grill</span>.</a> It's not on the "cheap eats" list, but why not splurge once in a while . . . right? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Apres-Halloween Observation: I was surprised to note that not one trick-or-treater came to my door dressed as Abraham Lincoln. Seems like a perfect costume -- after all, a three-foot-long stovepipe hat holds a lot of candy. Anyone dressed as Lincoln would have gotten my entire collection of candy! Well, there's always next year. See you soon . . . </div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-4305386172692187632009-10-17T18:29:00.015-04:002009-10-17T21:37:46.825-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyre-H-fAKupwFCsYgytthNSw7wrcIx65jFjI1gRT_dJ0TtJG4xPNOo1LD3e_Q8zN8awZDgx9kcBqoX-ypyNDpg9btS6Zakk8DPwkbES5dyKS5hKCQp9X9FWV2vX9eolIAW8-iubXp/s1600-h/IMG_2582.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyre-H-fAKupwFCsYgytthNSw7wrcIx65jFjI1gRT_dJ0TtJG4xPNOo1LD3e_Q8zN8awZDgx9kcBqoX-ypyNDpg9btS6Zakk8DPwkbES5dyKS5hKCQp9X9FWV2vX9eolIAW8-iubXp/s320/IMG_2582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393700021558847714" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Whatever you are, be a good one" ~</i>Abraham Lincoln</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's been a while since my last post, and pundits might find it hard to believe that I've been involved in none of the following activities: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(A) A two-week stint on ABC's <i>Wife Swap</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(B) Building a balloon that looks like a Salvador Dali Jiffy Pop container, filling it with helium and then sending it off into the wild blue . . . oh, yes, and then, not being quite sure whether someone is on board. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(C) Filling in as starting pitcher for the New York Yankees in the post-season.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I eschewed all of the above opportunities for some real excitement -- to stay home and work on the chart for "272 Words." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As was the case with this sampler when I stitched it earlier this year -- I totally underestimated the time involved in preparing this chart. Eek! My goal is to have the chart ready in time for the November anniversary of President Lincoln's delivery of the Gettysburg Address. That's the plan.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One crossword-related note . . . if you get tomorrow's Sunday <i>New York Times</i>, (Oct. 18) take a stab at the crossword puzzle in the magazine section. For newspapers that publish in syndication, the puzzle is titled "Ahead of the Curve." It was written by yours truly, in honor of an entity that is near and dear to many of our hearts. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And now, back to the matter at hand . . the chart. I hope the starting pitcher in tonight's Yankees/Angels game, A.J. Burnett, isn't too miffed by my bowing out of post-season play. I'll watch the proceedings on TV, while working on the chart. Until next time . . ciao! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695275368279304664.post-20222793963386642762009-09-24T15:45:00.029-04:002009-09-25T03:45:56.700-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR92dtWVgdZPjqJTOf8jn3fhSz_wEkwz506MZUfAhHX06btNAqKHdruAj8OXy2WASXXEdpTseKTrXukMK6Yo0FX0QRDFZ4Hr1_gA4vykkgZiCcqHMhBjP9S72gNjO4VJ58ZgUCLWc-/s1600-h/272+Words+Frame.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 338px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385122658836607106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR92dtWVgdZPjqJTOf8jn3fhSz_wEkwz506MZUfAhHX06btNAqKHdruAj8OXy2WASXXEdpTseKTrXukMK6Yo0FX0QRDFZ4Hr1_gA4vykkgZiCcqHMhBjP9S72gNjO4VJ58ZgUCLWc-/s320/272+Words+Frame.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><em>"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille . . . "</em></div><br /><div align="left">Scorecards. These days we're deluged with every imaginable stat involving football, baseball, tennis, golf. The U.S. Tennis Open, college football, the NFL season, the World Series. Stats, stats, stats. The first cool breeze of autumn is accompanied by a confluence of sporting events and stats!</div><br /><div align="left">And so, in keeping with the spirit of the season, we present official stats of "272 Words," the Lincoln Bicentennial Sampler, direct from the commentators' booth at The Stitching Network:</div><br /><div align="left">"272 Words"</div><br /><div align="left"><em>Stitch Count</em>: 349 Stitches Wide x 375 Stitches in Height</div><br /><div align="left"><em>Fabric</em>: 32-count Lambswool from Wichelt Imports</div><br /><div align="left"><em>Thread</em>: The Gentle Art </div><br /><div align="left"><em>Design Size</em>: 21-1/2"W by 23-1/4"H</div><br /><div align="left"><em>Framed Size</em>: 29"W x 30-1/2"H</div><br /><div align="left"><em>Frame Info</em>: Professionally Framed at Where Victoria's Angels Stitch (more info to come)</div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">It's tough to capture the true color of the linen in photos. To get a closeup of the frame in the top photo, I notice (sigh) that the fabric appears much lighter than it really is. Lambswool is one of my preferred "light" fabrics - it's a creamy color, but free of intensely-yellow undertones . . . like the color of freshly-whipped buttercream frosting. Lakeside Linens makes a beautiful creamy fabric color called "Magnolia." It's a little lighter, but in the same tonal family. 28-count Magnolia linen was used in <a href="http://howtomakeanamericansampler.blogspot.com/2009_02_24_archive.html"><span style="color:#009900;">this dog sampler</span></a>. </div><br /><div align="left">My mailbox contains some questions about the blog photos -- where are they taken and with what type of camera? Is there special propping? I use a Canon PowerShot A510. The propping usually consists of a few height-adjustable music stands and foam core covered with lace curtains. Through trial and error, I discovered that the best photos occur in "artist's light" -- the clear eastern light of the morning sun. My living room windows face east and this (below) is the home-spun setup. Nothing fancy! Except for cropping, the photos are untouched and designed to show the actual features of the needlework, for good or for ill. </div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 329px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385130457673628866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBNbPq3EC-cCsMwGBNFcrvL0RbJ5QxuudlVUIMhwj9CFXhFwPxmlGdXXZD2E-ct_5_Uks628BClGUeyU593jYcboc4cW6L3zpSefUvg9ny55yD4lCpLXKyl5nukRs0DCFrI7JLIKG/s320/272+photo+shoot.JPG" /><br /><br />And that wraps up this edition of "Stitch Talk." Tune in next time for an action-packed play-by-play of chart making (!). See you at the next tailgate . . .<br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div>La Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10729842242118318215noreply@blogger.com4