Pride and Envy

Maybe I take a little too long to complete projects, but hey, I’m occasionally drawn to other tasks. Like growing a business. And child rearing. And going to parties.

Long before I started my career selling art, I got hooked on needlepointing. My mother had done a great pillow I remember so well from my childhood, but that languished for years needing to be finished. I was in awe when I watched her work on it as a child. It now resides in my guest bedroom with a like-designed pillow my sister Casey needlepointed for me as a gift.

I have completed six pillows, one belt, and one holiday stocking for my husband, and I have been part of the pair of parents that attempted and finished a gorgeous stocking for our son. All this in my short life of fifty years.

I say short because needlepoint takes time. Maybe I take a little too long to complete projects, but hey, I’m occasionally drawn to other tasks. Like growing a business. And child rearing. And going to parties.

 

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To this day, there is no machine on the planet that can needlepoint for you. It must be done by the human hand. Needle up through the canvas and needle back down, all while pulling wool or cotton or silk behind.

 

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So, on Wednesday, I stood in awe at all that my friend Patricia had accomplished. I was transfixed by the artistry of her paintings on canvas and the forms themselves. The birds, butterflies, divers, and fruit held me in place. She had painted many of these canvases herself and had painted an original work to make all others from in the future. To scale and to size.

 

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I felt like I was cheating my work as I stood midday during the work week at what was feeling more and more like an art show. It seemed like my sister and I should leave the small needlepoint store and take a leisurely lunch somewhere. A walk and possibly a nap. Art was all around me, and my friend had made it all. My envy of her talent has no end.

 

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When we entered the store, she was stitching a piece of her own in the quiet. A diver entering a pool was swaddled in her hands. I believe she was working on one of the blue tones, of which there are many. She jumped up to welcome us, but I might have been a tad rude because I wanted to brush by her to see all the canvases tacked to the wall. Of course I hugged her, but it might have been too short, as I was impatient.

 

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For me, needlepointing is quiet handwork. Some can stitch while watching TV. I can not. Some can listen to music. I can not. Some can stitch and talk on the phone. Not me. I do, however, enjoy stitching with others, but my last several projects have been worked on in solitary silence,

 

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My greatest memory of stitching is when my sister and my husband and my mother were all stitching projects during one year. This was over twenty years ago. I had begged my mother to finally finish the pillow she had started in the 1970s, and she capitulated. All four of us would meet at my mother’s loft and stitch in silence, breaking the silence only to talk for a bit about current events or to gossip shamelessly. Then, we would drop back off into the quiet. I am always lulled by the scratch of the wool against the canvas webbing. It is soothing and rhythmic. I remember occasionally we would ask each other for help on the serious things: when to stop with one color and begin another or how to tie off a dwindling strand in a tidy fashion.

 

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I stood in the quiet store and was so proud of my friend, She is a true artist in that she sees a future for herself in handcraft and all that that holds. She understands paint, and thread, and patience. She is excited to figure out the business of art, and it shows in her eyes and her smile.

Needlepointing is not knitting. it is not sewing. it is not cross-stitch. It is not crochet. It is not embroidery. It is needlepoint, and it holds me in its sway.

Sloane

p.s. All artwork seen here is the work of Patricia O’Dell, who is building her needlepointing business under the name Mrs. Blandings. You can find out more here. I am partial to the particular blues she used in the wings on the peacock. Check out the close up below.

 

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p.p.s. You can see her work at KC Needlepoint on Gregory in Kansas City, Missouri.

 

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The “Perfect Storm” Tech Mess

For many years we – The STUFF Sisters – have dedicated August to a month long Rug Sale. It is our way to treat our loyal customers to a great deal on the rugs we proudly sell at our store. But, this year it seems the “Tech Gods” were conspiring against us.

For many years we – The STUFF Sisters – have dedicated August to a month long Rug Sale. It is our way to treat our loyal customers to a great deal on the rugs we proudly sell at our store. But, this year it seems the “Tech Gods” were conspiring against us.

A couple weeks ago we discovered that our email host wasn’t working and our customer emails had not been going out, so our customers missed our colorful emails about our fantastic sale. Then last week our server went down, making it impossible for us function online. Then today, our phone lines went down. And, AT&T still hasn’t repaired them. Sloane was on hold for over 45 minutes (using her cell phone of course) begging for them to come quickly. She only rolled her eyes and laid her head on the desk a couple of times.

Tech MessToday, of all days, the last day of our BIG FANTASTIC RUG SALE.

We have such kind and reasonable customers. One even tracked us down of Facebook to tell us the lines were down. Sloane was able to get his order over her cell phone. And, two more customers were kind enough to let us try and call them after hours to try and help them get their orders in before the deadline. But, what about everyone else? We started to worry.

Then Sloane had an idea…

Sloane Has An IdeaShe turned to me and said, “Let’s just extend the sale.” I immediately went to work getting the extension approved. And, since the whole month of August was a such a tech mess, we decided to just “go big”. We worked to extend the sale for another full month. It was time for an official “do over”.

Starting tomorrow – the 1st of September – we are going to try this again. You will be offered the same 20% off and free shipping deal on all our rugs until September 30, 2015. Wish us luck. Keep your fingers crossed the the “Tech Gods” will protect us this time.

We don’t often talk in our blog about sales and deals. Because we think it is more fun to talk about life, art, family and share personal stories. But, this is turned into a story about small business and what happens when a family owned business faces challenges that are frustrating and can cause our customers to be frustrated too.

Please know we work hard to avoid these situations. But, when life gives you lemons…you have to find a way to make lemonade. We hope you will take full advantage of the extension of this fantastic opportunity to purchase our gorgeous rugs at a discount. If you missed the August sale, you have a second change. If you purchased rugs in August, you have a second chance to buy more at the discount. And, if you didn’t know about the August sale, you now have the chance to go wild buying rugs.

Meanwhile, we will be dropping pennies in every wishing well in town until our luck improves.

Thank you for supporting our small businesses. It matters and we are deeply appreciative.

Casey

PS. AT&T says they are coming tomorrow morning to fix the phones. We could use a few “good luck” wishes about now.

This is us on the way to get donuts to celebrate having survived August.
This is us on the way to get donuts to celebrate having survived August.

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Waves

I tore this image from a magazine last week. Sadly, I don’t remember which magazine, so I can’t give credit to them for featuring this nifty room.

I tore this image from a magazine last week. Sadly, I don’t remember which magazine, so I can’t give credit to them for featuring this nifty room. I pulled it because I really like the wave painting.

I would have wanted the bench to face the painting, but often that doesn’t work in homes. I often have that challenge in my home.

I would like to own a piece of this artist’s work. Maybe I will come across the artist one day.

 

 Meanwhile, I will just have to enjoy having this in one of my many scrapbooks.

Casey

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Twice

When you tear out TWO pages from the SAME magazine for an item you like, should it go to the top of your wish list?

When you tear out TWO pages from the SAME magazine for an item you like, should it go to the top of your wish list?

The tempting piece.

 

Elle Decor magazine page 30.
Elle Decor magazine page 58.

What was humorous to me was that I was going to write a blog about seeing this lovely piece in more than one magazine in the same month, when I realized that I had pulled it from the same magazine twice.

It doesn’t make it any less lovely or deserving. I think Elle Decor was right on target with the double billing. Maybe it means I need two?

Casey

 

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Turquoise Bedroom

I tore this page from the February issue of Spaces magazine. This room is too formal for my lifestyle and taste, but that color. Ohhhhhhh, that saturated color.

I think the turquoise matted framed art is brilliant. And, if you look closely the whole wall is framed in wood and acts like a giant second headboard. Again, brilliant. Because that incredible color would become cloying if the whole room was saturated. To me it is the perfect amount of infused color.

Casey

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On The Issue of Blue

A year ago, a close friend said to me, “Yes. I know about the blue and you.” I retorted with a general, “What are you talking about?” or “What do you mean?” She said, “I read the blog.”

A year ago, a close friend said to me, “Yes. I know about the blue and you.” I retorted with a general, “What are you talking about?” or “What do you mean?” She said, “I read the blog.”

Yes. It’s somewhat true about me and “the blue”. But lately I have been struggling with the desire to actually paint our bedoom a deep, rich blue. Not chalky or grey. Blue. Deep blue.

I attended a show at The Nelson-Atkins museum a few months ago, and the rooms were painted a rich, deep blue with hints of green in it. It inspired me so much that I actually called the offices and asked for the number/maker of said hue. I have since misplaced it because I realized it really wasn’t for me.

My husband isn’t crazy about this idea. He’s challenged me with the knowledge that our bedroom isn’t that large. He’s troubled me with the realization that blue walls are one thing, but what about the large amount of trim that is inherent in our 100-year-old home? And, most importantly, he wonders if I have thought about what our art will look like on blue, since it has always resided on white. He isn’t against the idea; he just seems to feel it’s important to needle me with details that clearly need to be considered before diving in.

The last and most imporant decision that must be considered is that we commissioned an outstanding local artist – my sister Casey – to paint our bedroom windows so that we would never need curtains again. These windows are the one detail I have yet to work around. I would never want to take away from their amazing strength by painting the walls a powerful – yet soothing – hue.

These are my issues with blue right now. Previous musings can be found here and here.

Sloane

p.s. The top three image are from the website of Anthony Barratta. I have mentioned on my blog before that I adore his work and the work of his retired partner, William Diamond. When my ship comes in, his phone will ring.

The bottom photo is of our bedroom windows. They are stunning at night as well.

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Showcase Your Art

I like interior walls filled with art. I just rearranged the art in my own home. I created new collections that reflect some of the styles in this one-page article.

I like interior walls filled with art. I just rearranged the art in my own home. I created new collections that reflect some of the styles in this one-page article.

 

I really like the simplicity of the limited color palette in this next photo, but it is safe to say I don’t collect art in one color palette; it is quite the opposite, I must admit.

I will try and take some photos in my home soon.

Casey

Note: These pages are from Elle Decor magazine, March 2010.

 

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Today Was The Day

For well over 30 years, I have driven past Bothwell Lodge and told myself – and my occasional fellow passenger – that I would visit some day.

For well over 30 years, I have driven past Bothwell Lodge and told myself – and my occasional fellow passenger – that I would visit some day. There was never time to stop on my mad dashes to my father’s lake house and its peaceful embrace. My return home on the Sunday nights of my past found me looking at it from the highway knowing it was locked up tight and holding firmly to its visitor hours.

Today was the day, however. We have had an amazingly lovely fall in Missouri, and a destination is always a good thing when you take off on a day trip with the ones you love. Even after sleeping in, the Bothwell Lodge was in our sights by 12:30 pm.

A friend of mine commented on Facebook, when I posted a few pictures, that he always imagined the King and Queen of Missouri lived there during his trips through this region in Mid-Missouri. The lodge does make that impression from the highway, but, when you get around to the other side, it looks like a large but quaint home. We took the tour from a young and informed tour guide who didn’t have to tell us that Mr. Bothwell wasn’t big on interior decoration. The furnishings were spare and ran to the utilitarian in most rooms. There were things to ooh and aah over – like the scale of the rooms, the wood used throughout the house, and the breathtaking views. The details in the home were what constantly caught my eye.

The best thing about today was being with the two people who love a road trip as much as I do: my son and my husband. We all needed a quick trip out of the city, and this fall day was perfection.

Sloane

p.s. The Bothwell Lodge is a State Historic Site, and the grounds are even sparser than the interiors. Today the trees and their colorful bounty provided all the pomp and circumstance. We, however, provided the circus acts on the lawn.

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Summer Goes

On this, the last day before Autumn officially begins and my favorite season ends, I wanted to share a blog I wrote in August of 2007. I can still see the evening vividly, and the memories are overpowering.

On this, the last day before Autumn officially begins and my favorite season ends, I wanted to share a blog I wrote in August of 2007. I can still see the evening vividly, and the memories are overpowering.

Enjoy. Here it is.

Sloane

 

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Copyright Casey Simmons and S. Sloane Simmons. People who steal other people's words & thoughts are asshats. Don't be an asshat.