My Life, In Pictures

As you know, I'm an avid needlepointer.  Even though I have a stash of canvases, including 15 belts I haven't stitched, I'm always in search of something new. Enter custom needlepoint painter, Linda Daliege.

Linda is in Illinois so we did this all via email and phone.  After giving her my measurements and telling her the type of belts I stitch, finished with d-rings instead of traditional leather tabs, she graphed out the canvas to let me know how many illustrations she could paint.  I sent her my list and was thrilled with her excitement!  She'd done several of my choices before but some were new to her.  She sent me links to make sure she knew to what I was referring and I clarified any questions she had.

About two weeks later, she sent me the picture of the finished product.  Now it was my turn to be thrilled!  It was even more spectacular than I imagined.  When it arrived I was speechless.  The designs were all so much prettier in person and now I could envision what they'd look like stitched with my luxurious Silk and Ivory thread.

My monogram and a blue crab to represent my Maryland heritage.

Cardinals were Big Daddy's favorite birds and whenever I see a cardinal I always say hi.
One of my favorite things about spring is all the cherry blossoms in bloom.  I get up at the crack of dawn (literally) at least once during the peak blooming period to photograph the trees.

'Dog people' each have their favorite breed, and without a doubt, Cavaliers are mine.  I will never be without another.  I didn't want to show favorites by having a tri or black and tan on my belt, so I asked Linda to paint a Blenheim.
A vintage camera to represent my love of photography.

I'm proud to be a Republican and I'm not afraid to wear it on my waist.
My love of shooting and the shotgun sports is well illustrated by the over/under.  Ready...PULL!

As long as I've been a University of Richmond Spider (gulp, almost 20 years), I've always preferred our shield over the spider.
I love the skein of thread and think it's the perfect way to represent my love of needlepoint.

And last, but not least, jockey silks.  But these aren't ordinary silks.  This little beauty is painted exactly like the racing silks of our family Thoroughbred farm, New Horizon Farm.  I always smile when I think of the white background and grey cross belts and grey helmet cover.

Hop, Mario Pino, track official, Annie, Vernon (our old trainer)

After my shooting tournament on Saturday, I'll be at The Point of It All to pick out threads.  I can't wait to get started!