Tell us a bit about yourself and your shop.
I grew up in Ohio, but now live in Arizona. I have two grown children, one now in Dallas and the other in Portland, Or. Since they left home I have gained three dogs and three birds. I love chocolate, Stephen King, and off-roading.
I actually opened a shop in the fall of 2006, but didn't realize, like so many others that the named I signed up with I was stuck with. It took me two years to make the decision to open this shop with the name that I wanted. I love creating and was so happy to find Etsy as an outlet for all of the things I wanted to make. It's a nice feeling to think about my creations being worn all over the world.
What or Who inspires you?
Everything around me inspires me. I may look at a group of colors in the paint store and suddenly get an idea. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Or, they need refined a bit. Music....depending on the song it will inspire a picture to pop into my mind. Reading a book...although I haven't really created any embroidery out of my love of Stephen King books....yet.
When you're not doing things for your shop can we find you around the internet?
Blog: waterrosez.blogspot.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/#!/waterrose/
Pinterest: pinterest.com/waterrose/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/waterrose
What's your favorite stitch or what do you like most about needlework?
Well even though it was the first hardest stitch, the French Knot. I love the texture, the depth and how you can fill in and create a picture. Needlework is relaxing. I'm also a quilter and between the two I can get lost for hours creating.
Where do you like to stitch (do you have a cozy spot, a favorite chair, a totally tricked out studio?)
My studio. It contains just about everything I need at any given time. I have a huge, commercial size cutting table. I have two desks from IKEA, one for my computer and the other for my sewing machine that I can scoot between. Huge wardrobes from IKEA that have drawers, shelves, pull out racks, baskets. The only problem is that I keep obtaining stuff and I'm going to outgrow my storage units! My perfect chair sits in a corner with wonderful lighting and whimsical fabric covering. One of the best things, patio doors that are just steps away from the pool!
How did you learn to stitch?
My mom taught me to embroider and she learned from her mom who grew up in Ireland. During summer vacation she would teach me different stitches and I would practice and add to my sampler. Some stitches were harder to learn then others, like the French knot since she was left handed and I'm right handed. I'm so glad we spent that time together...as I sit and do embroidery now I can almost feel the touch of her arm against mine as she sat close to help me learn the stitches.
Do you have any questions you are looking for answers to that you would like to send out to the needlework community?
What do you think is the most difficult embroidery stitch and what is your favorite fabric to embroider on?
(And just for fun) If you were a pizza topping, what pizza topping would you be?
The cheese.
I love her work and am so glad she joined the team!
ReplyDeleteSO lovely to read some more about you and your work.
ReplyDeleteAs to your question - I find satin stitch a real challenge - but I too love to french knot. At the moment I like felt to stitch on. Although I have just bought a piece of linen to have a go at.