Be Still and Know

Here is my completed pulpit parament in memory of Lu. Dupioni silk with wool, silk and cotton floss. The work is approximately 22 x 32 inches.

This really WAS a joy to make in memory of a fabulous spitfire of a woman who made all those who met her feel they were heard and valued.

Snowy Paraments

Currently in my workbasket.... white paraments for the pulpit. It will be used for Christmas, Easter, funerals, marriages among other times. I am going to call it "Layers" - the design representing the many layers in our lives, community, family, experiences, diversity, wounds, healings, commitments and teachings among others.

Here it is in raw form before being sewed into the final product.

This is the Day That the Lord Has Made

This joyful stole is now available in my Etsy shop!


www.Etsy.com/shop/MontreatDesigns

A Wonderful Day

Thank you to all of you who stopped by today. It was a great joy to meet so many of you and to see old friends! Thank you for making this day so very special!

Scottish Liturgical Stole

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

A French Knot Butterfly

Dragonfly

Sometimes the most perfect path is choosing simplicity.

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!

Green Liturgical Stole

A circle for eternity, God's constant presence.

A pale grassy dupioni silk, with an embroidered circle of vines, leaves and water on yellow silk. A contrasting tonal bronze dupioni piece is secured with a piece of wood wrapped in silk, embellished with French knots and seed beads.

Detail from Fisher of Men Stole

Here is a bit of a preview.... Coral in French knots.


The rest involves more coral and a batik fish, but the color is muddy due to beading that I added, it's showing up a bit odd on film, but looks pretty in person. I have to work on that!

Less Common Symbols of Our Faith - Bees

The Sweet Word of God ~ Psalm 19:10

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.


Since time began bees have been part of the great myths of humanity and have always been extraordinarily potent symbols.

Bees, in their role as workers, are a symbol of the industrious and prosperous community governed by the queen bee. As organizers of the universe between earth and sky, bees symbolize all vital principles, and embody the soul. Bees also symbolize eloquence, speech, and intelligence.

In Hebrew, the word for bee, Dbure, has its origins in the word Dbr, speech. They settled on the mouth of the child, Plato, “announcing the sweetness of his enchanting soul ” (Pliny) (http://www.lunedemiel.tm.fr/anglais/06.htm)

In the Church, the beehive is a symbol for community of those who work together for the benefit of all. Used modernly as a symbol for the Christian Church, and is one of the best.

There are so many great historical symbols of our faith that I would love to see return in liturgical art with more frequency. Bring back the rooster, the peacock, the ship at anchor, the dogwood, the lobster!!!! :)


“The soul… may have many symbols with which it reaches toward God.” ~ Anya Seton

Going to the chapel...

Completed wedding stole.  Ready for the vows!!!