Hi All, Sumac and I are back from Ithaca! We had a fabulous time!! Tamara
won't get home for a few days but the rest of us will try to make up for her
silence. I had so much fun! It was great to meet more arachnes and other
lace makers and to see the ones I've met before again.
I took a class in Needlelace and learned so much. Because I've practiced a
lot on Battenberg my tension was pretty good on many of the Brussels
variations. The teacher, Gretchen Allgeier, was very good at explaining the
different tension needed in them. And I have Peas in my Pea Stitch
That's one I've tried numerous times and have always ended up with a snarl
of thread. I had many Eureka moments - one when I realized we were going to
cover the cordonet with three more threads *and* buttonhole stitch. That
looks much better and gives you a little leeway if the cordonet (of two
threads) is a little crooked G. It's so great having a teacher!! Many of
the NL books I have do not have complete directions and, of course, all the
hints can't fit into one book.
I also got a copy of Angela's book on Romanian Point Lace!! A VERY kind
arachne gave up the last copy Holly Van Sciver had on Saturday (she was
about to buy it) G. The book is fantastic!! The history is very
interesting and it is neat to see the arachne list thanked in the beginning
and individual arachnes thanked in the text G. The stitches are amazing!!
Lots and lots of variations I've not seen in the NL and B'berg books
(antique and new) that I have. The patterns are lovely and the different
cords add a lovely touch to the designs.
Holly's DH Gerry was a little surprised at the interest in that book until
I explained that we arachnes have been hearing about it since conception so
we're anxious to see it G.
Pompi Parry's talk on Normandy Blonde and Polychrome de Courseulles was very
interesting on Saturday night. Sumac and I missed Pat Read's talk on
Milanese on Saturday afternoon. We had gone for a quick visit to Border's
Bookstore nearby to look at the magazines and suddenly it was 1:00pm and
we'd missed the start of the talk : ( I did visit that classroom (among
others) and the pieces of lace Pat Read had brought were breathtaking. What
sticks in my mind is the dragon done in white and in colors...lovely!
The lace exhibited on Saturday in the sales room was also quite wonderful.
One of my favorites was a bookmark done by Cathy Belleville. It had an
exquisite Great Blue Heron looking up at a
full moon. And there was also a piece of the Olive branch design
we looked at on the 'net a few months ago. Very special to see
that in person!
I've just been working more on my Needlelace. My class piece is nearly
done and my Fiberarts group meets on Thursday so I hope to have it finished
to show them. Of course, they'll also be interested in seeing a
work-in-progress so I'd better start a new piece right away VBG.
Now I'd better get back to real life. But eating, drinking and sleeping
lace for three days is so much more fun!!
Jane in Vermont who is thrilled with Peas in her Pea Stitch G
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