My path to Japanese Embroidery came in a somewhat round about way.  As a very enthusiastic stitcher, I knew no fear and tackled just about everything that came my way.  When I saw the piece "A Bouquet For EGA" designed by Audrey Francini, listed in the catalog for the EGA National Seminar in the mid 90s, I knew that was my next challenge.  Never having "framed up" or worked with flat silk, I soon realized I had met my match.

After many frustrating attempts at stitching this piece, I put it away.  Four or five years later, I received a catalog from the Callaway School of Needle Arts and found Japanese Embroidery 1.  Shay Pendray taught this class along with much of the history associated with it.  For the past few years, I have studied with Jennifer Ashley Taylor, completing Phase 1, Seasons, Phase 11, Cascading Chrysanthemums, and at present working on Kimono Ribbons.  And, yes, my "bouquet" has been completed.

My motivation towards Japanese Embroidery, runs at a very high level.  Coupled with the beauty of the silk, the achievement of that "perfect" petal or leaf is highly rewarding.  I look forward to each new piece with the many challenges it represents.