Filigree 'Sunlight Melts ICE'
@filigreemchana.bsky.social
Book artist, sword&planet fantasy writer, bead hoarder, curmudgette https://linktr.ee/mcranehana2
PP: quail scrimshaw with glowing gold eyes, ornate geometric embroidery in red, cobalt, green, black, and turquoise on yellow cloth
PP: quail scrimshaw with glowing gold eyes, ornate geometric embroidery in red, cobalt, green, black, and turquoise on yellow cloth
3/ And a better view of the trim, which I saw first on the Goodwill rack. These two silks and many of the beads are going on a nonprofit commission I'm finishing this weekend.
November 22, 2025 at 2:19 PM
3/ And a better view of the trim, which I saw first on the Goodwill rack. These two silks and many of the beads are going on a nonprofit commission I'm finishing this weekend.
2/ Here's a shot of the embroidery, showing more of the design. These covers were sewn to order, because there are no tags. A few of the big edging beads are missing. Some wear along the edges. A time capsule mix of griege & Tuscan decor, maybe 2010?
I got them for $3.60 each.
I got them for $3.60 each.
November 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
2/ Here's a shot of the embroidery, showing more of the design. These covers were sewn to order, because there are no tags. A few of the big edging beads are missing. Some wear along the edges. A time capsule mix of griege & Tuscan decor, maybe 2010?
I got them for $3.60 each.
I got them for $3.60 each.
1/ Here's a #ThriftFinds cleanse, from July 2025 just just now using it. 3 embroidered silk 24x24" cushion covers with elaborate beaded gimp edging. 80 beads per cushion. Backing is plain dupioni silk, in a soft warm silver gray. The machine embroidery is black, taupe, gray green, and olive...
November 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
1/ Here's a #ThriftFinds cleanse, from July 2025 just just now using it. 3 embroidered silk 24x24" cushion covers with elaborate beaded gimp edging. 80 beads per cushion. Backing is plain dupioni silk, in a soft warm silver gray. The machine embroidery is black, taupe, gray green, and olive...
2/ It's a 60x60 inch Tessitura Pardi cloth in salmon & natural, not sure of pattern yet but similar to this, about $200+ USD new.
At another Goodwill a month ago I found the 6 matching napkins. Nothing wrong with either group, never used (had factory starch).
That's a lot of money.
At another Goodwill a month ago I found the 6 matching napkins. Nothing wrong with either group, never used (had factory starch).
That's a lot of money.
November 22, 2025 at 12:49 AM
2/ It's a 60x60 inch Tessitura Pardi cloth in salmon & natural, not sure of pattern yet but similar to this, about $200+ USD new.
At another Goodwill a month ago I found the 6 matching napkins. Nothing wrong with either group, never used (had factory starch).
That's a lot of money.
At another Goodwill a month ago I found the 6 matching napkins. Nothing wrong with either group, never used (had factory starch).
That's a lot of money.
Matches this mosaic I made about 15 years ago.
November 16, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Matches this mosaic I made about 15 years ago.
Here's a distance shot of it. I really like this house. It reminds me of Hawaii houses circa 1970.
November 16, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Here's a distance shot of it. I really like this house. It reminds me of Hawaii houses circa 1970.
2/ Welp, there it was hiding behind a pink & green percale 70s print Cali King sheet: the linen fitted sheet matching the flat sheet I bought last week. The flat was logged as queen sized, so I didn't even think to look in other sizes. Now I have a full set of linen sheets to try (after laundry).
November 15, 2025 at 10:26 PM
2/ Welp, there it was hiding behind a pink & green percale 70s print Cali King sheet: the linen fitted sheet matching the flat sheet I bought last week. The flat was logged as queen sized, so I didn't even think to look in other sizes. Now I have a full set of linen sheets to try (after laundry).
1/ Re #ThriftFinds and linen sheets.
There I was, back in the Goodwill That Never Fails, looking for big lime green cotton or linen shirt (found it), more embroidery thread (grabbed some, left some as being too old & damaged), beaded candle lanterns (found 2) & thought 'I should check the sheets'.
There I was, back in the Goodwill That Never Fails, looking for big lime green cotton or linen shirt (found it), more embroidery thread (grabbed some, left some as being too old & damaged), beaded candle lanterns (found 2) & thought 'I should check the sheets'.
November 15, 2025 at 10:17 PM
1/ Re #ThriftFinds and linen sheets.
There I was, back in the Goodwill That Never Fails, looking for big lime green cotton or linen shirt (found it), more embroidery thread (grabbed some, left some as being too old & damaged), beaded candle lanterns (found 2) & thought 'I should check the sheets'.
There I was, back in the Goodwill That Never Fails, looking for big lime green cotton or linen shirt (found it), more embroidery thread (grabbed some, left some as being too old & damaged), beaded candle lanterns (found 2) & thought 'I should check the sheets'.
1/ #ThriftFinds This glorious sampler, probably worked between 1998 & 1999, by an unknown but very meticulous person. It's from a kit sold by Attic Needlework in Mesa AZ, which is still around. I found this one in a bag of embroidery at Goodwill.
It's remarkable for size (11x13 inches). No hoop...
It's remarkable for size (11x13 inches). No hoop...
November 11, 2025 at 9:17 AM
1/ #ThriftFinds This glorious sampler, probably worked between 1998 & 1999, by an unknown but very meticulous person. It's from a kit sold by Attic Needlework in Mesa AZ, which is still around. I found this one in a bag of embroidery at Goodwill.
It's remarkable for size (11x13 inches). No hoop...
It's remarkable for size (11x13 inches). No hoop...
7) On the last pass through bedding aisle, going a different direction, I spot a huge folded piece of textured oatmeal linen, horribly dusty where a lower edge has dragged.
So I touch it. The same linen. This time I find a label. It's a king-sized flat sheet.
I look for the fitted. No luck.
So I touch it. The same linen. This time I find a label. It's a king-sized flat sheet.
I look for the fitted. No luck.
November 10, 2025 at 5:04 AM
7) On the last pass through bedding aisle, going a different direction, I spot a huge folded piece of textured oatmeal linen, horribly dusty where a lower edge has dragged.
So I touch it. The same linen. This time I find a label. It's a king-sized flat sheet.
I look for the fitted. No luck.
So I touch it. The same linen. This time I find a label. It's a king-sized flat sheet.
I look for the fitted. No luck.
This was what I did with the 11 inch high wood deer I found last year. Stripped off paint, wood-burned designs in, attached bead tassels and new leather antlers, and hung 3 miniature leather and fabric books from tassel lines. It's called 'Wellspring' and it lives at Chateau d’Orquevaux now.
November 5, 2025 at 11:06 AM
This was what I did with the 11 inch high wood deer I found last year. Stripped off paint, wood-burned designs in, attached bead tassels and new leather antlers, and hung 3 miniature leather and fabric books from tassel lines. It's called 'Wellspring' and it lives at Chateau d’Orquevaux now.
1/ Now that it's in my possession, gotta share this excellent stylized giraffe sculpture. Carved of tan hardwood with a black finish to make it look like ebony. 36 inches tall!
Current plan: strip black paint, fix any cracks. Build a base outta the next cypress burl I find.
Love the lines!
Current plan: strip black paint, fix any cracks. Build a base outta the next cypress burl I find.
Love the lines!
November 5, 2025 at 6:37 AM
1/ Now that it's in my possession, gotta share this excellent stylized giraffe sculpture. Carved of tan hardwood with a black finish to make it look like ebony. 36 inches tall!
Current plan: strip black paint, fix any cracks. Build a base outta the next cypress burl I find.
Love the lines!
Current plan: strip black paint, fix any cracks. Build a base outta the next cypress burl I find.
Love the lines!
Detail of the fabric and bone beads on the side.
I made things exponentially more difficult by attaching the beaded tassels first, *then* embroidering the panels.
I have a caramel linen long dress and matching intricate handwoven fabrics. When I do the dress, I'll decorate the side panels 1st.
I made things exponentially more difficult by attaching the beaded tassels first, *then* embroidering the panels.
I have a caramel linen long dress and matching intricate handwoven fabrics. When I do the dress, I'll decorate the side panels 1st.
November 1, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Detail of the fabric and bone beads on the side.
I made things exponentially more difficult by attaching the beaded tassels first, *then* embroidering the panels.
I have a caramel linen long dress and matching intricate handwoven fabrics. When I do the dress, I'll decorate the side panels 1st.
I made things exponentially more difficult by attaching the beaded tassels first, *then* embroidering the panels.
I have a caramel linen long dress and matching intricate handwoven fabrics. When I do the dress, I'll decorate the side panels 1st.
About 30 years ago I saw an ethnic shirt in a museum, where front & back were mostly plain and heavy detail was on the sides. I saw design possibilities immediately, but didn't play with it until this decade.
The Marigold Shirt was finished enough for me to wear it last night.
The Marigold Shirt was finished enough for me to wear it last night.
November 1, 2025 at 8:33 PM
About 30 years ago I saw an ethnic shirt in a museum, where front & back were mostly plain and heavy detail was on the sides. I saw design possibilities immediately, but didn't play with it until this decade.
The Marigold Shirt was finished enough for me to wear it last night.
The Marigold Shirt was finished enough for me to wear it last night.
4/ My front yard looking east. Orange and purple ribbons! Garlands! Twinkling rainbow lamps!
All leading to the table of goodies: chocolate candy with nuts, without nuts, and a bowl of lit glowsticks.
I thought about bells. I have them. Maybe next year.
All leading to the table of goodies: chocolate candy with nuts, without nuts, and a bowl of lit glowsticks.
I thought about bells. I have them. Maybe next year.
November 1, 2025 at 4:13 AM
4/ My front yard looking east. Orange and purple ribbons! Garlands! Twinkling rainbow lamps!
All leading to the table of goodies: chocolate candy with nuts, without nuts, and a bowl of lit glowsticks.
I thought about bells. I have them. Maybe next year.
All leading to the table of goodies: chocolate candy with nuts, without nuts, and a bowl of lit glowsticks.
I thought about bells. I have them. Maybe next year.
3/ My front yard looking west. This year I added twinkling rainbow LED tea lights to the flickering yellow orange ones, and I'm *never going back*. It's magic. All these multicolored pierced metal or wire lanterns, with as many LED tea lights as I could put into them flat.
November 1, 2025 at 3:52 AM
3/ My front yard looking west. This year I added twinkling rainbow LED tea lights to the flickering yellow orange ones, and I'm *never going back*. It's magic. All these multicolored pierced metal or wire lanterns, with as many LED tea lights as I could put into them flat.
2/ I love my neighbors on Halloween. House west of me has so much dry ice I worry for the safety of low-to-the-ground entities. Houses east of me have
1) Projector in the driveway so they can watch baseball & eat hotdogs.
2) Full charcoal grill in front yard with steaks & hamburgers.
Candy? Yep.
1) Projector in the driveway so they can watch baseball & eat hotdogs.
2) Full charcoal grill in front yard with steaks & hamburgers.
Candy? Yep.
November 1, 2025 at 3:20 AM
2/ I love my neighbors on Halloween. House west of me has so much dry ice I worry for the safety of low-to-the-ground entities. Houses east of me have
1) Projector in the driveway so they can watch baseball & eat hotdogs.
2) Full charcoal grill in front yard with steaks & hamburgers.
Candy? Yep.
1) Projector in the driveway so they can watch baseball & eat hotdogs.
2) Full charcoal grill in front yard with steaks & hamburgers.
Candy? Yep.
1/ The bewilderment of new neighbors who don't know me. Several years of thifting likely decor & on-sale supplies. 3.5 hours of steady work deploying it. Around 35 LED tea lights you can't see yet. 6 pounds of candy. 125 glowsticks.
My front yard in daylight. More pics later!
My front yard in daylight. More pics later!
October 31, 2025 at 10:37 PM
1/ The bewilderment of new neighbors who don't know me. Several years of thifting likely decor & on-sale supplies. 3.5 hours of steady work deploying it. Around 35 LED tea lights you can't see yet. 6 pounds of candy. 125 glowsticks.
My front yard in daylight. More pics later!
My front yard in daylight. More pics later!
One thing about hospital bedside waiting, it offers a lot of time to sew.
These little fabric scrap beads are the 2nd round of this technique for me. I'm slowly settling on 'my' style, project to project.
Red and orange beads are made with scraps from thrifted woven napkins and strips of ribbon.
These little fabric scrap beads are the 2nd round of this technique for me. I'm slowly settling on 'my' style, project to project.
Red and orange beads are made with scraps from thrifted woven napkins and strips of ribbon.
October 30, 2025 at 12:12 AM
One thing about hospital bedside waiting, it offers a lot of time to sew.
These little fabric scrap beads are the 2nd round of this technique for me. I'm slowly settling on 'my' style, project to project.
Red and orange beads are made with scraps from thrifted woven napkins and strips of ribbon.
These little fabric scrap beads are the 2nd round of this technique for me. I'm slowly settling on 'my' style, project to project.
Red and orange beads are made with scraps from thrifted woven napkins and strips of ribbon.
Second page block and back cover, with fold-out needle pages in linen and cotton.
As overdone as this thing is, it's a warm-up to *another* needle book I want to make for me. This one is going in an art show.
But if it doesn't sell, then I will have *3* awesome needle books.
As overdone as this thing is, it's a warm-up to *another* needle book I want to make for me. This one is going in an art show.
But if it doesn't sell, then I will have *3* awesome needle books.
October 24, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Second page block and back cover, with fold-out needle pages in linen and cotton.
As overdone as this thing is, it's a warm-up to *another* needle book I want to make for me. This one is going in an art show.
But if it doesn't sell, then I will have *3* awesome needle books.
As overdone as this thing is, it's a warm-up to *another* needle book I want to make for me. This one is going in an art show.
But if it doesn't sell, then I will have *3* awesome needle books.
Progress photos of the inside. Scissors case sewn into place.
October 24, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Progress photos of the inside. Scissors case sewn into place.
I think this embroidery scissor case worked out well. If the pieces of the needlebook survive washing to get the glue out, I'll attach this to the inside.
October 23, 2025 at 11:38 PM
I think this embroidery scissor case worked out well. If the pieces of the needlebook survive washing to get the glue out, I'll attach this to the inside.
Happy Diwali. Keep bringing light into the darkness!
October 21, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Happy Diwali. Keep bringing light into the darkness!
Front of the needle book, pieced & glued but not yet stitched! Now I'm assembling the inside cover, see-through pockets, needles pages, & scissors holder. More complicated, but I've already messed up on one of these back in 2018. This time I'm making paper patterns.
October 19, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Front of the needle book, pieced & glued but not yet stitched! Now I'm assembling the inside cover, see-through pockets, needles pages, & scissors holder. More complicated, but I've already messed up on one of these back in 2018. This time I'm making paper patterns.
The second dragon, this time on a fragment of 80s cross stitch Dimension kit called 'A Taste of the Southwest' (Miami Vice pastels!). I found 2 of these fully stitched at Goodwill, have seen others.
October 19, 2025 at 11:51 AM
The second dragon, this time on a fragment of 80s cross stitch Dimension kit called 'A Taste of the Southwest' (Miami Vice pastels!). I found 2 of these fully stitched at Goodwill, have seen others.