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Lynn's Prints/Diane Graebner |
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Designer's Name: Diane Graebner |
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Location: Mt. Vernon, OH
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How did your love for the Amish artwork develop?
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When and how did you first convert your artwork to counted cross stitch?
It must be about 15 years ago now. I have 136 cross stitch charts out, and am coming out with quilt designs too. I come out with one a month, and will continue for a long time. My mom, bless her soul, said that my paintings would look good as cross stitch. I did not know how to go about this, so I took off by myself and drove to Charlotte to the needlework show and set up a booth with my paintings in it, and had a sign saying I would like someone to convert these to cross stitch. A company picked me up and did one booklet. When I said, when are we going to do the next booklet, they said my artwork was not popular enough to warrant another booklet. Well, that is all they had to say-------I am stubborn, and I knew that what my mom said was true. I found a great gal only about 30 miles from me, Phyllis Baldwin to do my charting. Together we made a great team. A year ago, we picked up a new member of the team, and Bev Owsley now does most of the charting and stitching for me. They are great gals!!!!!!!
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Would you share a little about your family? My husband and I have been married for 45 years. He has been such a wonderful supporter of my art. If it had not been for his devotion to my passion, we would not be doing what we are doing today. He quit his job in 1987 to help me. I was still teaching high school art, and was trying to run a gallery too, and do my art work. He has been my framer, my accountant, my everything. We make a great team. We have two sons, Tom and Dale, and four grandchildren. Tom, our oldest is about to become a Commander in the Navy on the first of October. Dale makes his living selling collectibles on EBay. We are so very proud of them.
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New From Lynn's Prints... Newborn Chicks is brand new from Diane Graebner. This design captures the simplistic wonder of two Amish children enjoying the wonder of newly born chicks. The stitch count of this pattern is 140w X 70h. See more Lynn's Prints designs by clicking the link at the bottom of the page. |
Where were you born and how did you grow up? I was born in Springfield, Ohio, and spent most of my young life in Rocky River, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. It was a very nice community with a good school system. I did all the things that kids did then without any worries. My friends and I would go on "bike hikes", and play in the dead end street. Hide and seek, red rover, softball, and more. TV was not part of the picture. My mom and dad were very loving and devoted parents and I was blessed with them and a great sister.
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I read a fascinating statement about why the Amish characters in your art do not have faces. Would you explain this? It is against the Amish religion to show any form of pride. They are a very humble people. Therefore, an image of them is construed as being boastful. They do not want to be portrayed with a likeness to them. They do not want photographs taken of them. This is why a true Amish doll has no face. All Amish are as one. This is why my art work shows no face. I want to honor their religion.
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There are many many fans of your work in the cross stitch world. To what do you attribute the success of your paintings and designs? I believe that most of us want to be a part of the simple world, where we can relax and lose ourselves in the beauty of life. This is exactly what I do when I produce my art work.
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What are a few characteristics of your surroundings than bring inspiration to you? Since 1976, I have lived in small-town America. First, Lodi, Ohio, then Millersburg, Ohio. When we moved out west, we found a beautiful mountain valley. We now live part time near Mt.Vernon, Ohio and part time north of Tucson, Az. The natural beauty of our surroundings gives me peace. Then come all the wonderful memories of growing up. As I observe children, I see the beauty and innocence in them. This in turn gives me the SIMPLE BEAUTY. I try to see things as a child would, in doing my art work. I remember my mom saying,"Diane, how do you see so much". Love is all around us if we just see with beauty in our hearts.
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Do you enjoy travel? Yes, I love traveling. As a teenager, I spent summers in Canada as a swimming and Canoeing counselor. I spent a year in Denmark my junior year in college. After we got married, we spent two years in Alaska. It is great to meet and talk with people, and very inspiring to experience nature and all her wonders. Travel opens the mind and expands the soul.
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What are a few hobbies you enjoy? Fishing and swimming are great pass times. I love also to walk. I do this every morning. Right now the weeds are beautiful with all kinds of textures and color. I love to garden, and the deer love my garden too. Oh well!!!
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Would you share a favorite recipe? TEXAS SHEET CAKE Bring to a boil and cool: 2 sticks (one cup margarine) 1 cup water 4 TAblespoons cocoa Add to the above: 2 cups flour 2 cups sugar one half teaspoon salt Mix together 2 eggs, one half cup sour cream, and 1 teaspoon soda. Add this to the first two mixtures and beat well. Pour into a 13 by 9 by 2 inch pan. Bake at 375 fo r 25 to 30 minutes, until a knife into the center comes out clean. FROSTING: In a sauce pan melt: 1 stick margarine 4 Tablespoons cocoa 6 Tablespoons milk Add: One box of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and 1 cup chopped pecans (if you want the pecans) Frost the cake. MMMMMMMMMMM good.------ and so easy to do.
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