My Buffalo gals, the Millers amazing woodwork accessories and Jackie's Ode...

I began this post after I finished my pre-stitching, before I actually attended Jackie Du Plessis's 'Ode' finishing class, in Buffalo, NY last October of 2016. My Ode is to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of JA's death this year, 1817-2017. Ode is a 'miniature writing desk' box (made by Miller Carpentry Creations) filled with hand embroidered finished smalls pictured below. Note, all the design's shown in this post are copyrighted. Any questions or interest in a project should conclude by contact with the accredited teacher, to determine the 'where and what', of her teaching schedule...Some classes may no longer be available but these talented ladies will be very obliging...

Ode is opened with a fob. I modified Jackie's key design to duplicate the key to St. Nicholas church. The box floor is a miniature sampler, mostly over one thread, no not JA's sampler...but similar in style to English band samplers.

A fabric band of linen edged with Hedebo scallops holds tiny bottles, who in turn hold tiny mother-of-pearl finishing buttons. Mine has included an ink bottle from the Winchester Cathedral gift shop, along with it's matching JA inspired pen and pencil. Note the plaque on the lid in the picture above. It is inscribed with a JA quote from one of her prayers, along with a thread spool holder, housewife, pin keep, sweet bag and needlebook to store inside the box. I tucked in other treasures such as a deck of JA playing cards. It's a very tight fit!....Very fun!!.. I also changed Jackie's housewife a bit with the addition of my dedication and 'signature' below the alphabets depicted in the top most picture...I hope both Jackie and JA approve...

Jackie's class has prompted the following discussion on finishing....Finishing can take on quite a few different meanings to different groups of embroiderer's. To someone such as myself, I enjoy historically inspired embroidered items. After I complete a reproduction sampler, I do not commission a framer. I finish my edges in hemstitching (like early 16-17th century samplers) mount it on a linen covered foam core board and stick it in a frame, myself...The example below is a reproduction sampler from The Scarlet Letter. Note the neatly finished edges around the perimeter, also the background filling stem stitch of the center 'boxer' band. In addition the bands of queen stitch, montenegrin, rice, bullion and satin filling stitches all added to the interest of this sampler originally completed by Rachel Jarrett at the age of eleven. What is even more interesting is that she completed it in 1768, and the band designs were actually popular motifs a century earlier. Rachel's sampler is actually a reproduction sampler in it's own right! I pace myself by working each band over a month or two period. Too long at work on 36 and finer linen causes eye strain. The magnification and lighting investments of some embroiderer's is beyond the scope of this blog...ha ha...

Next, I want to discuss a few of my favorite teachers and finishing classes. Realize, before I consider investing in a class, it needs to be worth my time, money and foremost intellectually stimulating. An example is an Elizabethan sampler class of Nan Tyson Euler. Arbella is a fictitious sampler inspired by the Jane Bostocke sampler (the oldest known 'signed' sampler to date 1598, V & A). Arbella has interesting stitching techniques with Holbein and goldwork but what was worth the two day drive and hotel stay???.... I learned, along with a discussion on ciphers, a tack/lock stitch which anchors the thread used in tiny singular stitch/knot's. I have experience with this stitch in crewelwork but the concept of a different use was eye opening...That tack/lock stitch is invaluable for reversible embroidery work!

Let me describe other classes with wonderful teachers I have taken over the years. More than a decade ago I finished Merry Cox's 'French Bonbon Box', pictured below. This was my first experience with French seams and techniques which employed both linen and card stock in finishing this silk drawstring bag.

Next, Betsy Morgan and her wonderful twisted cord and tassel finishing classes. My 'Four Season's Pin Cube' and 'Edinburgh Sweet Bag' are below. I also attended Betsy's 'Toy Chest Etui' class in 2010, (poop, that's a long time ago). An embroidered etui chest inspired by Pennsylvania Dutch painted motif''s, the sub-title is, 'A big girl's box of toys', and it flipping is.... I have to finish this while I'm still in PA....

Then...Sherri Jones, from my home state of Michigan and her skillfully designed classes, with more of a Victorian flare. Below is the 'Ring of Roses', a bag constructed of rings covered with a silk thread Hedebo technique. Also, pictured below, a Tulip Tray, Hare Box, and Blue Ribbon Sewing Box (woodwork by Miller Carpentry Creations). All are great finishing classes, in techniques I can utilize for my caskets. Sherri also has a 'Button Lover's Brag Book', which became an Ebay crazed pastime for me, I may post that too, once finish!

Barbara Jackson, who has graciously passed on techniques in Crewel embroidery obtained from the Royal School of Needlework in preparation/mounting of embroidery work, combining wool and silks and over all very traditional and professionally appealing designs. Crewel work and punched needle will be my techniques of choice as my eyes age....

Catherine Theron offered a 'huswife/wallet' finishing class with a very traditional Irish stitch design I completed this for my son's High School graduation. Yes real men do sew...!!...

        


Marcia Brown Smith has written finishing techniques for Dr. Tricia Wilson Nguyen's projects over the years but has had great examples of box finishing of her own right. Two of her classes are shown below...

CA Wells taught the first finishing class I ever attended the Acorn Etui. Also pictured below, a Sampler Storage Roll and Sailor's Valentine (JA casket motif???). CA's classes are very entertaining.. She will usually keep you interested by story telling or twisting cord, by hand... I was completely engrossed and deeply concerned to keep up in class, but somehow, tangled my threads on my cardigan buttons and fell behind.. I made a complete mess and distinctly remember the day because of it....

Catherine Jordan, who along with her dyeing and fiber classes has fearlessly crossed the creativity line by combining paint in her embroidery projects. I have two embroidered maps and accessories which utilize this technique. Rae Iverson is a master in etui designs...as I finish her kit's I will post. I have a set of Williamsburg etui's of 'The Needlework shop' and 'Bruton Parish' I am determined to complete before the Williamsburg AGM in 2019...and a Shaker box with a matching herb garden housewife...all so wonderful...add to the masterful written kit texts, quality materials and Rae's accompanying well informed historically inspired lectures they are the icing on the cake!!

Enough contained in this post, which has inspired me to return stitching...

The Men's Club and reflections on the decision to marry.......

This post begins with an admission of what has prevented me from sharing updates of my casket progress. With my children grown and moved on in their college careers, I have been deep in thought of what I would still like to accomplish in the next decade. The casket project, has been top on my priority list for some time, almost six years! The thought provoking study behind this goal has made me completely analyze my life. What was Jane Austen's goal with her novels, other than the cynic's answer, 'to make money'? I have revisited plans I had in my teens and early twenties of what I wanted out of life. As such, I have had a life changing realization. In analysis of my marriage and compared with other couples of my acquaintance over the past four years; I am aware I spent thirty years in an unsupportive marriage. I spent most of 2015 in a terribly hurtful divorce and 2016 recovering and now enjoy complete freedom. I have made many decisions this past year, on my own, which I had been told the past two decades, I was incapable of...

I have settled in, and am very happy in my sweet little condominium. I now have a room for my craft storage I finished for ME pictured below. Something I have always wanted but never had.

A walk-in closet with a sweet faux crystal chandelier light and wall of mirrors, I installed, which has just enough room for my clothes ALONE!

I hung the huge brass light fixture, pictured, in my first floor dining area and installed shelving in the loft area upstairs.

New pots and different varieties of plants adorn my front door.

I love my granite counter tops, and counter stools, I assembled, and amazingly my new dishes coordinate very well.

                                                   

Yes, I love IKEA, and am acquainted and very skilled with a cordless drill and wrenches! It has been crazy moving everything I own, plus my children's belongs in and out of storage (two to four times), in search of a permanent home. It's wonderful to be finally settled in an area with gobs of history, supportive friends, and like minded casketeers! This is enough for now, while I finish my casket and rebuild my life...

All of the female heroines from Austen's novels are caught up in compromise due to societal forced dependence. The male characters patriarchal roles, as in real life, always have their demands met, and in most cases it is for their physical and/or financial benefit. The female characters are forced to compromise and weigh their options to find a 'match' and hopefully a happy life. Discussion from papers and the 2014 JASNA AGM in Montreal incorporated undertones of slavery and misogyny in Mansfield Park, an issue which has made me very uncomfortable at this point in my life. I do believe the last form of slavery in this country is marriage. I do not remember where I heard this first, 'marriage is the one institution so easy to enter into and so extremely difficult to escape'. It's rare to find a marriage where the couple 'are equals'. One person tends to submit to the other in an uncompensated role..... slavery. In most cases it will still be the woman who is left the burden of caring for children. Growing up I questioned why the majority of biblical stories were about men. We are brainwashed into misogynistic thinking in which men are somehow more important than women. Now I realize............... men are simply immature and selfish by nature, and the stories reflect this. A majority of the females show intuitive judgement for the good....my favorite is loyal Ruth. The recent 2016 Presidential election reflects the resurgence of patriarchal control and misogyny. If women were more in control, I'm certain the world would be a better place. Women are just created more perfect and virtuous than men....which I believe is what unnerves men.

I do believe it is best to spend a life alone, rather than with unsupportive people who are hurtful and lack understanding. I decided over the past several years to methodically disengage from negative people as they show themselves. I am towards the end of my struggle and am amazed how peaceful my life is becoming. A vast amount of insecure people have a sole purpose to make all issues, whether great or small, a complete issue of control. Allowing others to have such an influence over your path is in itself a call for elimination. Now as I evaluate my future back into the workforce I hope I can avoid an unsupportive role and find a place that I can enjoy, contribute and benefit from.

My story....I grew up in the 70's when women were just beginning to, we thought, 'encouraged' to, enter into more non-traditional career paths. I always enjoyed 'fine' and 'industrial' arts, and believed Architecture would be a great career path for me. I actually won an 'honorable mention' in a Detroit Free Press sponsored competition in High School for an Architectural submission. Years previous to this, before I was allowed to enroll in drafting, unlike the boys, I was forced to the Principal's office to make my case. I was labeled a 'troublemaker', to enroll in drafting rather than the traditional 'home economics' classes. I'll say it's ironic that I actually do enjoy home sewing and fine hand embroidery, incidentally, most technically educated women do. An education should, however, broaden your knowledge and challenge you. Or look at it this way, baking is chemistry and I had that class. I dream in color, can easily read a blueprint and tell you what parts of an engine are rotating and which are stationary, my brain just works that way. At the time, I foolishly, wanted to belong to 'the men's club' and be considered an equal, a partner, a team player. I ended up with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, had just a bit of savings, and thought I would work and put myself through a Masters degree in Architecture as time and money would afford. My father's concern was that I would put a MAN out of a job. He belonged to 'the men's club', not exactly a more abundant life thinker. Perhaps he just wanted me to consider how insecure average men may feel. On many occasions I would explain, 'I had the degree' and if they didn't 'have a degree' they did not deserve the job. Now, here is the ugly reality which every woman my age or older knows too well..... We always made less money than our male counterparts. We intentionally were paid less so the possibility of living an independent life and affording tuition or a down payment for a home was not easy. Women were constantly forced into a life of dependency, always some excuse of why we as women deserved less. The recent election I fear is a return to this narrow minded patriarchal past.

So what, you ask, has this to do with Jane Austen and the concept of virtue.... I believe the original quote may have been Madeleine Albright, but here is my interpretation. Very average men can get along in life, but women are always held to a higher standard, it's the double standard. My point is, the pressure of society to force people to seek a permanent relationship for life is completely unreasonable, and I'm talking about the treatment of women. I feel marriage limits an individuals growth and should be abolished. Marriage if created for 'the procreation of children' and ease in care of them, is not accomplishing this goal. Almost 41% of US births in 2012 were in single family homes, from a 2013 pole by National Review. The institution of marriage only benefits men and should be eliminated if women are to be treated as equals...Marriage is the harbinger of misogyny and male dominance.

I'm happy I have the freedom to share my thoughts on past relationships between men and women and my personal reservation as I reenter the workforce after 25 years as a 'stay at home mom'. I admit my decade of work experience was in the 80's, in a society I resented, where most institutions were geared toward men. I can only hope I have a place in the now......

Jane's Birthday and Reflections on English Country Estates

I spent last weekend in Detroit, my hometown visiting friends, family and various appointments. Detroit has wonderful places for families, like the Zoo, Detroit Institute of Arts, The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village. Due to snow my Sampler Guild Christmas party was cancelled. Although disappointing it turned out to be a special day. My close childhood friend, who I was staying with, and I decided to visit Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, Michigan to view the Christmas decor. The last time I remember visiting was a wine tasting event almost 20 years ago. Before that my family would make random holiday visits for car shows, etc. on the estate when I was in grade school. I loved Meadow Brook's Knole cottage (as any child would) and the Tudor styling of the great houses', 88,000 square feet with its' 110 rooms, as the website now boasts. In reflection of the day, I realize this is probably where my love of the English Country Manor House and literature began. Built by Matilda Rausch Dodge Wilson, in the English style of the 16th and 17th centuries, and finished just before the depression of the 1920's, it is a feast for the eyes. All constructed of American materials, Tiffany glass and Rookwood tiles, (no Pewabic, surprisingly). Matilda was insightful, intelligent and created a wonderful legacy of the pioneering history of Detroit. I found in the library, the carving of her favorite author, of all people Mark Twain, one author I simply can not make through more than one chapter....what a disappointment...
but wait...........
on a shelf, eye level to the left of Twain's likeness....and left still of his book....
Jane Austen's entire leather bound and embossed canon......
How frustrating, no pictures are allowed and nothing touched, everything as Matilda and her family would have left them...I'm dying now to know who's edition's were they? Did Matilda enjoy Jane Austen too? Or were they Frances or Barbara's, her daughters. Actually Matilda's story reads almost like an Austen heroine....What a wonderful delight to find JA, in a familiar location from my past, just waiting to be found..........Happy Birthday Jane.........

Thoughts on Women and Virtue in Austen's novels

I wrote the following, on Virtue, almost two months ago but did not post because I have been hurt by comments I have received or heard criticizing women who embroider. I need to set the record straight. It has been my experience that some of the brightest women (and men) either embroider, tailor their own clothes, fashion drapery and bedding for the home, are involved in woodworking, or have some sort of creative outlet. It is an art to view something in your minds eye and then create it with your hands. I personally am deep in thought, relaxed (extremely focused), and usually planning the rest of my day in the early hours of the morning, five or six AM with my needle in hand. In a way it is a bit like yoga, a complete concentration on the present where you are experiencing a peaceful time of meditation. I currently am finishing Barbara Jackson's teatime basket and a matching sewing pocket 'Sweet Heart of Mine' to carry my tea service and stitching project(s) to a friends home or a local Jane Austen meeting. The pocket's verse is, 'Count that day lost whose low descending sun... views from thy hand no worthy action done'. I suppose even writers, like J.A., could find comfort in that verse. Several comments have been made in papers and at the recent AGM focused on Mansfield Park concerning Lady Bertram. The comments usually equate embroidery with sloth or a useless pastime, but as any embroiderer would know, she is escaping. At some point in the past she simply relented to the overbearing nature of her sister, Mrs. Norris, and constant interference with her family. She introverted into her thoughts and it has become a bonding time with Fanny who sees all. There......a load off my mind! I personally consider critics of embroidery ignorant of the deep connection of expressing oneself with the needle, whose roots span thousands of years. Fine embroidery is cherished in museums! Like literature, it is what binds us to who we are and where we came from. Now I can post again........ but I have updated some of what I wrote previously........

Next on the agenda..... I am looking forward to attend an event with the Eastern Pennsylvania Region of JASNA this coming weekend (June 6th, D-Day). They are hosting Sara Emsley author of a fascinating book, 'Jane Austen's Philosophy of the Virtues'. Her talk will be on women and ambition in Jane Austen's novels and whether ambition is a virtue. I came across her book, by accident, almost two years ago while planning my Austen themed 'Seven Virtues' casket. I googled Jane Austen and Virtues, hoping for some papers on the subject, and Sara's book and blog popped up. The book is a college text book, as such a bit pricey, so I requested a copy from a local college before actually purchasing it. I was floored and have to admit it did change my original plan. At the time, I was struggling with two virtues and their corresponding heroine. My second time through her book, I realized the real story is a heroines struggle with a particular virtue, anything if taken to an extreme could deceive a persons perspective and deprive them a connection in a personal relationship and true happiness. In reality today, I wonder if behaving in a virtuous lifestyle is not a handicap and cause for ridicule, but perhaps that has always been the case. The time in which you live dictates the values of your society, and you will do your best to compete in what the venue dictates.

Once I followed the struggle concept everything fell into place and my only criticism of Sara's book is that she does not give Jane Bennett enough credit for extreme temperance. Jane is so severely temperate and under control, it has enabled her to be too trusting of others. It prevents Jane to advocate for herself and as such readers and academics do not take Jane Bennet as a serious Austen heroine. Jane's extreme temperate character is unconvincing as a stand alone, her power is her ability to reign Elizabeth in and balance each other, which is the real story. Almost everything we are told about Jane's perfections are from the conversations of others. My proof is that Darcy, who we are told is critical of everyone, can only say, "she smiles to much", I believe he is actually a wit. Mrs. Bennet places Jane into an awkward position with regard to the invitation to Netherfield. The Bingley sisters bully her into the belief that Bingley does not care for her. Even when she visits her Aunt and Uncle in London, when urged by Elizabeth, she does not find an excuse to conveniently 'run' into Bingley (something Lydia would have figured out once she had arrived..... ah Lydia). I could go on and on...

Again the extreme genius of J.A. takes another form from the Greek virtues of Prudence and Fortitude (Marianne and Elinor Dashwood), and Temperance and Justice (Jane and Elizabeth Bennet). I find the coupled virtues, balanced between the sister duos, extremely interesting. Imagine J.A. toying with the concept of sister pairs, then pairing Greek virtues to decide which would make a better story-line/conflict. Next, we have the three Theological virtues from St. Paul, Faith, Hope and Charity. Each with a character who is struggling solo, Fanny Price, Anne Elliot and Emma Woodhouse. Until the Montreal AGM I did not feel that Fanny Price was a good example of Faith but if you consider she is struggling against the Sins of Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride each symbolized by a character in the novel, she does keep the faith. In fact each sin appears to have a male and female counterpart, they all have a role to play!

Another interesting observation, the earlier novels written in Steventon deal with the strong sister relationship and balance of two Greek virtues, where the later novels written in Chawton are focused on the struggle of theological virtues and the heroines long standing relationship with a man. My Proof, are Fanny and Edmund, Anne and Captain Wentworth and Emma with Mr. Knightley. Each of the men are a symbol of the the virtue the heroine is struggling with. Edmund a theologian and Faith, Captain Wentworth a sailor (an anchor) the symbol of Hope and last Mr. Knightley ('Knight' symbol of chivalry and valor), the gentry and charity to his fellow man. The evolution from the investigation of the close sister relationship of Elizabeth and Jane in Pride and Prejudice and bro-mance between Darcy and Bingley. Gradually evolving into the investigation of the open/friend relationships between Elinor and Colonel Brandon and also Marianne and Edward. In contrast to the relationships between Elinor and Edward and Marianne and Colonel Brandon which are so strained and hopeless due to sexuality. Is she subtly pointing out the gradual change from immaturity where the closest relationship is one of same sex and maturity where it evolves to one with the opposite sex. When you consider how each heroine seriously struggles, eventually to find balance in learning about themselves, they do become more desirable because they have found happiness.

In case you are interested the conclusion of the Emsley talk was.... modest ambition can be considered a virtue....

My Double Casket and its finished drawer interiors..............ideas for the drawer fronts...

The past month I achieved some short and long time goals. I finally sent a load of furniture to Ohio to be auctioned. Almost filled an entire truck, very releasing. Most of the pieces I purchased three decades ago, my taste has changed from what it was in my twenties! I am currently focused on keeping only reproduction and antique pieces from J.A.'s time period, English and 'Williamsburg'/Early American, which should keep me happy well into the future. I am only a few short months away from the end of sorting through stacks of things I no longer want or need. I have reached the realization that realistically I will not live long enough to finish all the crafts and junk in my stockpile. I will simply focus my efforts to finish my caskets, some reproduction samplers and historically accurate pieces and call it a lifetime well spent!

I had to move my double casket and finishing supplies twice, due to the loss of staging tables, but it forced me to finish the drawers which completely covered the drying space of one table before it was sent away. Below are pictures of the finished interior drawers and secret compartments, followed by the inset trays and removable storage of my double casket. What fun deciding what areas would be finished in marbled paper, silk fabric or silk velvet.

The drawers with details of the embossed edging and a front view of the casket with drawers inserted.

     

The finished 'secret' compartments in the two upper portions of the casket and a removable tray. At this point I admit I am in awe of the quality workmanship of the cabinetmakers.

             

The secret compartments in their 'cubbies' and a view of the removable 'tray' in place.

           

 

Below are a few extra views of pieces as I finished them.

The marbled paper I used was purchased from John Bielik at a summer JASNA event in Louisville. The blue and green hues of the paper compliment the blue-green of the silk, the same is true of the ocher with the gold embossing. Over 26 feet of embossed edging strips were required. I found preparing the silk fabric by mounting it to archival paper similar to wallpapering. It occurred to me that this process must be the same in historical homes that boast silk wallpaper in Dining and Boudoir intimate spaces. Which brings me to another favorite past-time, wallpapering! Note the 'Williamsburg' wallpaper used as a background for this blog? I love projects like this, calculating the amount of surface area to cover, applying the adhesive (which as anyone knows....... timing is everything) and matching the pattern so seams are invisible. Finally, smoothing the paper to remove air bubbles and excess adhesive, very focused and relaxing work. Its wonderfully satisfying to see the elegance of a finished room and how much well placed color can change a persons mood.

The casket exterior looks quite different now the wood surface has been sealed and covered in archival paper, the silk embroidery will be mounted to this surface. Gimp edging has been ordered and will probably arrive after the drawer fronts are complete. I am planning to use a historically accurate technique of wrapping silk fibers over card-stock for the drawer fronts. Each drawer will represent one of six major books of J.A's. to be filled with memorabilia from the book.  I will be working on more details in the next few weeks and culling my collection of antique needlework tools to equip my casket. I am relieved to have completed this part of the project. The casket is useful and it will help in the motivation aspects of finishing the embroidery!

I probably should end this post with a picture of Dr. Tricia Wilson Nguyen, Richard Oedel and his crew at Fort Point Cabinetmakers in Boston, MA. This was taken during our East Coast Casket Tour last October and it really added to the whole significance of the experience of taking on a project like this. The concept that a threshold of interested people in the 'fine hand embroidery world' was met, to actually get to the point of manufacturing hundreds of these pieces, is in itself historical. I am so happy to be part of it!

I begin finishing the interior of my casket(s)...yes, plural...my recent trips...and beaded jewelry from South Africa and Hawaii....

Again, I find myself negligent in keeping up to date with the blogging scene. This does not mean I have not been working on my casket project. In fact, the opposite is true. All I have been focusing on, when home and traveling, for the past three + months, is my casket. I am treading very deep indeed, emotionally, financially, and have an absolutely huge time investment at this point...

Since my last post in October, I attended the 2014 J.A.S.N.A. A.G.M., Winterthur's 'The Diligent Needle, Instrument of Profit, Pleasure and Ornament' Needlework Seminar and the 2014 East Coast Casket Tour. I hosted a J.A. event in my home, finished payments and received my second (flat top) casket carcass, calculated and purchased finishing supplies for both caskets (one huge mess rather than two big ones) and decided I will use the Italian duchesse silk satin background rather than the 1750 linen for my double casket. May not sound like much, but probably a 300 + hour investment... seriously!! Then, spent the holiday's and my 55th birthday in Hawaii which was nearly a month to reconnect with my son and daughter, observation...they are moving on in their lives, and I need to also! Very relaxing atmosphere, some very serious hiking (not to be attempted in regency attire), sea bathing, lots of stitching, reading, shopping and plenty of time to think and reflect on what I want to accomplish while I am still able.

The JASNA AGM was a blast, my college roommate, Marcia and I had lots of fun at the Regency Dance workshop, Banquet/Ball and Eastern Counties/Winery tour. Lectures were very informative, and I did actually purchase a copy of Fordyce's 'Sermons to Young Women' (paperback, I'm not that serious in following his ideology, I mean really....), but I do plan on knowing enough to be dangerous!! Extremely good lectures, which may have a different effect than the presenters had anticipated. I was pleasantly surprised by more cynical commentary than I would have expected. Below is a picture of Marcia and I and the dance itinerary (which we tried to memorize to no avail). The picture makes me feel extremely middle aged, but... I have written so much about my dress, I feel obligated to post me in it. I purchased my wrap in South Africa, wonder if one of Jane's sailor brothers would have done the same! Please excuse my smirk, I have about 4 months left to my orthodontics and I'm in the power chain phase.

     

The 'Casket Tour' from New York City to Boston was mind blowing. From possibly eight to over a dozen of the finest examples of English 17th century caskets and embroidery at every stop. A very diverse collection of satin stitch, couching, stumpwork, beading and wrapped paper techniques, fabrics, palettes and natural materials, plus silk and metal threads. Unfortunately, I can not share any pictures of the collections with the blog due to copy right issues. I do have a favorite, which certain aspects of couching, satin and stumpwork I will adapt in my J.A. theme. I had a very heart warming moment while waiting in line for the M.E.T. in N.Y. Mary Lynn, a very thoughtful woman, from North Carolina read my blog (she's the one!!...) and brought me, what I believe is an out of print copy of Penelope Byrde's, 'A Frivolous Distinction', 1979, Bath City Council. It is chock full of fashion and needlework pertaining to Jane Austen. She wanted to give it to someone who would appreciate it, and bless her heart, I flipping do! Because 17th Century attire is quite different than Regency, my casket will need to adapt, fashion and scene's to better describe my heroines and their story. Let's see 1979, I was freezing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, my freshman year at Michigan Tech, or later in the year, in summer, busy surveying and laying out a curve in the stamp sands of the Portage, a very naive 19 year old. So far removed from the place I find myself today. I did, however, encounter probably the only English Professor at Tech who observed that I 'clicked' with the English genre, and recommend I read J.A. Sadly, I was too 'busy' at the time, and C.B. was more in vogue....

I spent most of November getting caught up/reviewing Dr. Nguyen's first casket class (probably 1200 pages) and completed all five sample embroidery projects. Below is the pincushion pillow and scissors case on duchesse satin and the butterfly pin pad in tent stitch on the 1750 linen.

I find I work more efficiently if I hold off working small sample technique projects until I'm ready for the big one. I take very detailed notes in class, in the hope small details will be fresh in my mind when I work both sample and big project together. Sometimes, I work several rather large projects in parallel or series if they primarily contain a specific common stitch/technique, just so the rhythm and focus is continued from project to project. My staging area is set for completion of both casket interiors. They will transport and store my supplies as I focus on the exterior stitching phase of  the project in the months ahead. I have recently spent a considerable amount of time packing books and projects which I feel I will have no need for in the next few years. I have also finished over a dozen unrelated/unfinished smalls and clutter no longer pertinent to this empty nester...

Another project Tricia has promoted is a 17th century inspired beaded basket competition. Some caskets and baskets, of this time period, covered in beading could become quite elaborate. What is exciting about this is that beading is still being done in South Africa and Hawaii. Below are examples of jewelry, I purchased in the past year, which I absolutely fell in love with for everyday use. These wonderful pieces were very reasonably priced. I giggle to myself when I see an E.G.A. beaded jewelry class offered which costs the student over an order of magnitude greater than what I have paid, not to mention the addition of your own labor! The beaded bowl and set of necklace, earrings and bangles are from South Africa and the last picture of three varieties of bracelets are all from Hawaii.

     

Next time, I will show my progress in the caskets interior finishing and hopefully get back to the UK J.A.S.N.A. tour and discuss other wonderful classes and teachers I have been lucky enough to be part of.

My Casket arrived....What I have been up to for the past few months....

I can hardly believe I have not posted for several months.... I will return to the UK trip soon, but I have been very busy organizing for two important trips I will be embarking on in October. The first, is the Jane Austen Society AGM in Montreal, where I will meet a college room mate, fellow intramural hockey team mate, and .....the rest is not open to public comment....so excited! This AGM will be focusing on 'Mansfield Park', published in 1814, and Fanny Price, the heroine. What was my least favorite of Jane Austen's novels (and I very much hate to admit this) has been growing on me, since reading papers on the subject from the volumes of 'Persuasions' publications. Still a very dark story, in which I really can not get past what I consider the incestuous relationship of the main characters. All I can say is, Fanny really needs to get out more, you must be extremely desperate if your cousin starts looking that interesting! A week after returning from the AGM, I will be traveling to Winterthur for the 'Diligent Needle' Symposium and then on to New York for Dr. Tricia Wilson Nguyen's 'East Coast Embroidered Casket Tour'. I viewed a traveling British collection of embroidery in 2002/2003 at the Detroit Institute of Arts while attending an 'Art Appreciation' training session for my children's elementary school. Included were several caskets in stump-work which would knock your socks off. That day I decided, I do not know how, but I need to have my own...period... I remember a discussion about interest in caskets, while attending one of Tricia's embroidery classes. She, of course, was very interested in teaching one, if there was enough interest to support the venture.  A few years later she was working out the details, finding cabinet makers, hardware and locksmiths, negotiating contracts and surveying her students interested to sign on to a new class...the rest is history.

Excitement of all excitements my first casket arrived. I could not have just one, both designs have their own character, and this opportunity may never be repeated. The pictured double casket below is the skeleton for my future cabinet which I have designed with a theme of J A's heroine's and the seven virtues. I am a very happy woman! The plan, two heroine's each for the front and back and one each for the two sides and top. Just to follow my train of thought the sides and top are themed Faith, Hope and Charity, the back, Prudence and Fortitude, and last.. the front will be Temperance and Justice. I am also considering 'two ideal men' for inside the doors, just considering at this point, I'm a bit off men......Can you guess the Heroines for each Virtue? Below are pictures..

My secured casket with it's individually packaged historically accurate brass hardware...

        

    

The top lid and front doors removed to show compartments which students traditionally finish in paper, silk fabric and velvet.

 

  

The drawers removed and a 'secret compartment' shown!

Tomorrow I leave for Montreal and below are a few of the items I completed for the occasion....My Cassandra Austen sampler which I mounted to a silk bag of my own design. The sampler really is very drab, I think the duponi silk with matching embroidered band make it a bit more interesting!

Next, I made several hand embroidered 'pockets' to hold the current Persuasions and a few small books. Mine has a vintage brass button. We will talk button collections at a much later date but, others have vintage pressed glass or Mother of Pearl. I enjoyed making them and I hope I may find a good home to some of them at the AGM.

      

But what I am very excited to show is my second Regency style dress of which most is hand sewn. I embroidered the ribbon on the cuff and as time allows I will add ribbon to the bottom hem. This is it for now, also note I have my 'Edinburgh Reticule' a class I took in Williamsburg last December with Betsy Morgan. Very enjoyable and the back matches the blue of my dress quite well.

 

Well time to get some rest! I hope to post again before November...