Dove with Ribbons in Olive

A detail from a stole placed for purchase in my shop. The last of a gorgeous olive dupioni silk with white silk dove and hand-dyed thread.

A little fisherman...

Here is a hair ornament made for a friend.






And his catch!!

Workbasket Update

So sorry to have been off the radar, blogwise, these last few weeks. Christmas sewing/creating for friends and family has taken over, and I am looking forward to returning to my workbasket!

Currently waiting for attention: a beautiful lavender design.... The chest ornament is one of Anastasia Dolby's from the late 1800's and I am working on the lower panels which will be a lattice pattern that I will create. This is the last of this particular silk.... Just lovely.



Happy Christmas to you all!

Wedding Stoles

In just a bit I will be adding two wedding stoles to my shop on Etsy, and they both come in creamy dupioni. One has a chest detail of hand embroidered 'ribbons' that represent the two partners and a hand beaded circle or 'ring' representing the presence of the Trinity in the relationship.


Next is a simple wedding stole that has hand applied albacon vintage lace (circa 1930s) from France, and hand beading with seed beads as well as crystals, framed in a mass of tiny french (of course!) knots. ;)
This is located on the lower panels of the stole.

I love them both for different reasons... But think both are dreamy...

Christmas Stole

Perfect for Christmas! Cardinal red dupioni silk on a heavy crisp, detailed white cotton, bordered in matching red french knots embroidered tightly. Check my shop out for availability! :)

Ordination Stoles

Here is a collage showing details from three red stoles of my own design. All are in dupioni silk and are hand embroidered and all feature the dove - a traditional symbol of the Holy Spirit.


I have placed them in my Etsy shop if you would like to see them in more detail. As always, I welcome special orders!

This is the Day That the Lord Has Made

This joyful stole is now available in my Etsy shop!


www.Etsy.com/shop/MontreatDesigns

Wedding Ribbons

Here is a detail from a wedding stole design I am playing with. The pearls were fun to bead with and the 'ribbons' are made of two different shades of cream.

Scottish Liturgical Stole

Thistles - representing Christ's suffering, on a day that marks the anniversary of such sadness for our country.

Thistles in my Sewing Basket

Here is part of a stole that I hope to put together later in the upcoming days. I have a beautiful piece of mossy green mohair, and will try my best to marry the two for a stole for ordinary time.

Vibrant Green for Ordinary Time

I wanted to design something cheerful and was fortunate to come across this beautifully vibrant green at my favorite fabric shop. Playing against that backdrop I embroidered a cross freehand, playing with gold, pink and green. On the lower panels, I designed a bit of gathered leaves and very small beading detail on small crosses as visual fill.

A French Knot Butterfly

Inspiration from Mumbai

I have spent time sketching away in the evenings and have been waiting for a packet from India to arrive. Happily, it showed up on Wednesday, in time for me to play around with the choices and lay out thoughts for weekend work.

With Hurricane Irene approaching North Carolina, it looks as though I will have plenty of inside time!

Kimono Silk Accent

I think beauty and meaning are added when vintage fabrics are elements of new art for worship. Here is an example of vintage Japanese silk previously used in a kimono in the 30's added as an accent.

A stole for Ordinary Time

I had fun with the contrast of the apple green and purple/pink dupioni silk. Framed in French knots.

Beaded Baptismal Stole

For this particular stole, I chose to collect a variety of beads in aqua and use the last of my Nicole Miller cotton.

The shell is from a beautiful blue silk that I have been waiting to find the right home for. I finished the base of the hand beading with tiny french knots, which I kind of fell in love with.... :)

I am working hard in creating original designs for my upcoming exhibition, and I think this will be one the audience might favor...we will see!

Belated Blessings

I am slowly working my way through unfinished business... Out in the mail tomorrow goes a late anniversary gift to Oregon. I wish I could add in hugs and smiles as well!


Lots on my plate, but I could not be happier.

Going to the chapel...

Completed wedding stole.  Ready for the vows!!!

Koi Sachet

I hand embroidered this lavender sachet as a housewarming gift for a couple.... One of whom has an affection for asian design and art.

An original design, I used some really neat multicolored thread as accents, and am happy with the dual tones in the dupioni silk, with the satin ribbon as an anchor. A masculine look for embroidery work. It measures about four inches x seven inches.

Celtic Knot Stole

Lovely iris purple dupioni silk on green tone on tone cotton.