Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Coming clean......


Ok, I have a confession to make. I couldnt wait until September 1st. Since i have never done bead embroidery before, I wasnt sure I would be able to do it, how long it would take, would it look acceptable etc. SO....I decided to do a "sample piece". I had heard how doing embroidery could be a way to deal with emotions or trouble in your life, that it was therapeutic to some degree. I didnt have to think long to decide on what topic I would like to work my first piece in. I lost my Father to cancer early this year after a very short bout with this killer disease. I was with him through chemotherapy, radiation and through the whole death process right until the end. It has forever changed my life, some ways good, some ways bad. I wanted to do something to honor him in some way and this is what I came up with. His favorite color was blue and I modeled the eye in the picture after my own eye. My Dads Birthday was in August so this was the perfect thing to do. What do you think? I am pleased with how it turned out. LOVE YOU DAD.

25 comments:

K Hutchinson said...

This piece is gorgeous! I know what a difficult time it was for you losing your Dad to that horrible disease! I love the colors you used in this piece! I can't wait to see what you do next month!

Erin said...

Wow this is awesome. Kim sent me the link to your blog and you are super talented!!

Tracey Leeder said...

Thank you guys so much! Kim, I appreciate you adding me to your blog as an interesting place to visit. Thanks for the boost to my courage in putting my work out there!

Denise said...

Oh, umm, hmmm. I think you might be able to do this! I think that you might be able to do this really really well!!! As a matter of fact, if this is your practice piece, I can't wait to see all the other ones during the next year! It's beautiful and a wonderful tribute to your father.
Cheers, Denise

Jean said...

Hi Tracey~ I am very sorry to
hear about your dad. I know it
is difficult time for you. Your practice piece is wonderful. I
miss my dad. He passed away about
3 years ago and he was 94 years old. His birthday was in August, too. You asked me where I live
in Wisconsin. I am from Madison.
We went to Rotary Gardens twice.
It is very nice garden. I hope someday to go back to Janesville
to go biking at the bike trail. Maybe someday we will meet.

abeadlady said...

Tracey, if this is your practice piece, the rest of us should look to our laurels. You did a terrific job on what must have been difficult piece for you. Way to go!

Arline

Tracey Leeder said...

Yes, I swear it is a first ever attempt at bead embroidery for me. As I worked this piece I thought alot about my Dad and all the good memories we had. I really did find it theraputic for a time. After awhile though, I wanted it to be done and wanted to work on something happier for me. I did enjoy parts of it, hated some other parts too. Sometimes I thought it looked pretty good, other times I thought it was ugly. Strange how those things work isnt it? I have a pretty good start on this months project and find myself having the same love/hate emotions with this one as well. Maybe thats just my creative process, who knows!

Jean - sorry about your dad as well. Its a part of life I know, but not an easy one. Rotary Gardens is beautiful isnt it? My Daughter Jess was married there July 5th this year and it was a lovely place for a wedding. She was married in the Sunken garden next to the waterfall if that means anything to you!

Denise - Awww thank you! I am not very brave at "putting myself out there" so to speak. I was worried that no one would appreciate what I was trying to say in my piece.

Arline - Thank you!! I am looking forward to the rest of the year too!

Joan Cromley said...

Your piece is wonderful, you've expressed your emotions well. As you continue beading, you may find that there's more love in the love/hate part!

Jackie (Tillie's Daughter) said...

What a lovely, lovely, piece -- and so filled with emotion. It is beautiful -- wonderful beading.
Jackie

Tracey Leeder said...

Thank you Jackie! It was very much a labor of love! Very painful at times and very happy memories too! I am glad its done and eager to move on to my next project which is coming right along. I will post updates on a regular basis and look forward to seeing your work as well. Good luck to you on your projects. Tracey

Tracey Leeder said...

Thanks Joan! I hope you are right about the love part of things. I think maybe because of the subject matter and being my first attempt at the same time, I may have felt more of the love/hate thing than I maybe would have if I had chosen a happier subject matter. Time will tell. I am having fun with the next one (tonight anyway!) Ask me again tomorrow...haha! tracey

Robin said...

Your work is awesome, Tracey! Nobody would ever guess it was your first piece. And what a lovely tribute to your Dad. I understand everything you said about loving it sometimes, hating it at other times, and being glad it was finished, ready to move on to a happier topic... These are normal feelings... and yes, bead embroidery does seem to put us in touch with our feelings. I lost my Dad 2 years ago this July, my parent's wedding anniversary is in August, and Dad's birthday is in September... so these are three back-to-back difficult months for me... Beading always helps me.

Robin A.

Lois2037 said...

This is a beautiful and touching page. You already look like an expert to me! I also feel that love/hate about whatever piece I'm working on. For me, that's just part of the creative process. When I get to really disliking it, I just try to remember to trust the beads -- they will always look beautiful, no matter what.

a2susan said...

What a stunning tribute to your dad. And what a blessing that he had you by his side. I think the different emotions you experienced is just what journaling is about.

P.S. Your granddaughter is just adorable! She's part of the cycle of life, the part that brings smiles and laughter.

MixPix said...

OOOooo congratulations on a wonderful "practice" piece - if that's practice, I'm looking forward to the rest of the year. Very sorry to hear of your loss and pain but in some way this piece shows that he's still with you in spirit. Your granddaughter is lovely.

Jacquie said...

Beautiful piece! For some reason it reminded me of your little grandchilds blue eyes too! If this is your first piece, can't wait to see what else you come up with!

BrenWall61@gmail.com said...

The piece is beautiful and the sentiment is so wonderful. What a tribute and how proud your father would probably be. I am new to blogging too. http://www.nevertoolatetohavefun.blogspot.com/ . Maybe we can learn together.

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

Holy smokes, this is gorgeous. Kim sent me over and wow, you blow me away. This piece is awesome. I look forward to seeing your work more often. I didn't see a way to sign up by e-mail subscription.

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

This is amazing! I think you did an awesome job! And this is your first piece? Wow! Can't wait to see more!

Ellen said...

Tracey, that is beautiful & a wonderful tribute to a dearly loved Dad.... I feel your pain as I lost my dear Mother Dec 31 07, even though we know they are leaving we are never ready for it are we?

birdsandbeads said...

Tracey:
Your piece is beautifully beaded and a wonderful tribute to your Dad.

Tracey Leeder said...

Thanks to everyone who left comments about my first piece of bead embroidery! It really makes me happy to think there are people put there who actually think I have talent!! I am enjoying this so much and all the encouragement you guys have given me truly makes my heart sing!! THANK YOU ALL!!

Midnitecreations - Renu said...

Man, if this is your practise piece, I can only imagine what your other pieces will be!

mel m. m. mccarthy said...

This is a beautiful piece. SO artistic. I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Thank you for sharing your way of dealing with emotions. I find sewing so meditative and think I might have a go at beading.

Timaree said...

Very nice. I really like the tear. I made my first page (last year) for my dad who lived only one month after finding out he had brain cancer. Eight years later, I still miss him terribly.