Mendofleur

This photo as part of my banner, in some ways, could be the symbolic poster of my life. I have loved animals, and particularly cats since I was small. The cat in this photo has a tender story. We were living in upstate New York in Massena near Cornwall, Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway. [...]

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The quintessential I at Farm Sanctuary in Northern California. It was taken on a visit awhile back to meet the cow we adopted, Dawn. We are supporters of this non profit because they rescue and provide a home for farm animals that have been abused and neglected. Other than textile related subjects, it is my [...]

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Reaching deeper into my past is a little intimidating. What lurks behind the door? the lid of the cedar chest? the drawer too difficult to slide? Memories. Nearly 18 years ago. What prompted my imagination to conceive this? I think it might have been the mundane job combined with a fertile imagination, the two for [...]

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Many moons ago I created this jacket and put in my own label. I had been inspired by a columnist for the New York Times who traveled and wrote on the world of fashion. Her name escapes my memory, but a photo of her in a petal jacket (my name for this) still arouses the [...]

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Our new turtle is already trying to become friends with our youngest cat, Willie. Shortly after this was taken Willie jumped down to get away from this multi-colored creature. I haven’t decided what to name it, but I think it should be a girl since I am trying to identify with her life these days. [...]

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What is it about the animals in our lives that seems to take us to another realm of thinking. I defer to my cats, all three of them. They manage to choose the best seat in the house, the most precious quilt, and the most current project that I am working on. Could it be [...]

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Yesterday I began the process of taking one of these antique garments apart, and as I did it became the ultimate treasure hunt.  Since I have sewn most of my life since as far back as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by clothing constrution, how a piece of flat, unstructured cloth can [...]

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A few years back while visiting my mother in San Diego, I was browsing in an antique shop.  In the back they had a collection of very old pieces of clothing and accessories.  Of the three articles of clothing I purchased, these two were in pretty bad shape.  Both were done in silk and the [...]

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This is the back of the cat piece.  The fabric is a vintage silk brocade.  The butterfly is cut from a hanging that I purchased in an antique shop.  It was very long with sleeves on each end for the dowels.  Butterflies were stenciled in random areas.  I felt the image fitting for the title [...]

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I have this wonderful coat from Paris with a “Worth” label in it.  The cat was made from a small piece of this.  The coat was not salvageable, but worth the value of its beauty and possibility.  I drew the cat on paper, but the image was so pathetic that I simply started cutting from [...]

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