Glorious Morning Glories - Chinese Silk Embroidery

Good Morning!  I hope everyone is having a Happy Holiday Season!  Ours is filled with family, lots of baking and unseasonably warm weather.  It was the first time in a very long while that we didn't have snow on Christmas.

But, even with the hustle and bustle of this busy time of year, I managed to finish my latest project.  It took more than 3 months, but it was totally worth it.  I completed the third project in Margaret Lee's book - The Art of Chinese Embroidery.  The third project is a continuation of the plant phase.  It is a gorgeous print of blooming Morning Glories and the leaves as well as the flowers are quite a bit different than stitching Orchids.

I am very happy with the progress I am making in this beautiful art form and can't wait to get started on the next project and phase, which is insects.  I get to stitch butterflies!

But I digress. . .I have a lot of photos to share today.  Trying to capture the beauty of Chinese silk stitched on a lovely lightweight silk taffeta is very difficult, but I tried. lol 

Here are some photos of the Work In Progress:

I have the project covered in cellophane, as per Margaret's suggestion.  It really keeps the project clean and protected.

Here are some photos of the completed project:

I also added my "signature" to the work.  My given name is Regina, so I looked up the symbol online and the literal translation of the two Chinese characters I used are "Female King" which means Queen, Regina in Latin. 

The next phase after insects are brush or calligraphy technique.  Once I have some practice with this technique, then my "signature" will take on a nicer look.

I haven't framed the piece yet.  I am debating whether to have a custom frame made and frame it myself, or have it done professionally. . . we will see what the budget says. lol  So for now it is carefully wrapped in acid free tissue paper and safely put away.

I must say I really enjoy this type of embroidery.  Margaret's whole philosophy and teachings in the book really give me the inspiration and motivation to do my best.  Whenever I think, oh you can slack a little here, no one will notice, I tell myself "Near enough is not good enough" and I am driven to give my all.  This is just one of the quotes from Margaret's book.  It doesn't just work for embroidery either. lol

If you are interested in this type of embroidery, please visit Margaret's website here.  It's not only her shop, but it also her Gallery and general information on Chinese Silk Embroidery as well as Japanese Bead Embroidery.

I hope you all have a very safe and Happy New Year.  Until next time. . . 

~Happy Stitches~

Chinese Silk Embroidery

Happy Sunday!  It's been a season and a half since I've last posted.  I made quite a few projects from Trish Burr's book Whitework with Color, as well as started learning a new embroidery style.  First things first. . . a little bit of eyecandy. lol

These are from the aforementioned book.  These are not all the projects I have made from Trish Burr's book, but some I have given away as gifts.  :-)  

The hummingbird and lion were made using the materials suggested in the book (DMC cotton floss and Gloriana silk floss).  The Dragonfly was made using Au Ver a Soie silk floss.  I matched colors using my own eye, as well as some help from conversion charts.  These little beauties are framed and gracing my living room walls.  I highly recommend any of Trish Burr's books but I find I had a lot of fun with this one.

As I mentioned earlier, I have been busy teaching myself a new embroidery style and that would be Chinese Su Embroidery.  I purchased Margaret Lee's book The Art of Chinese Embroidery and I wasn instantly captivated by the beautiful projects featured in the books.  It wasn't just the lush and gorgeous pictures of embroidery inspired me. . . it was also her words and approach to embroidery.  I've often thought that fiber artists are just that.  . artists.  Anyone who has seen Margaret Lee's embroidery would also agree.

Not long after I ordered her books, I promptly ordered the practice project kits (which come with EVERYTHING, even needles!) and what I like to call the "set up".  I have the support frame, the trestles, and her special slate frames (which are modeled after Chinese Traditional Frames) and since then I have been practicing and creating.

I have done needle painting before but I had never worked with filament silk.  Yes, it can be finicky, etc, but I love it.  Thanks to Margaret's book, I have learned to work with it without disaster or catastrophe. lol

I have currently finished the first two projects, Rising Star and 3 Sisters.  Rising Star did not come out as well as I would have hoped but being it was my first attempt, I must admit I did better than I thought. lol  

I will say that I am very proud at how my second project turned out.  By the time I worked on the second project, I had memorized Margaret's words and a better handle on her suggested approach to embroidery.

I just love the glow and sheen of the silk thread.  Currently I am working on the next project in the book and it is a beauty.  Morning Glories and while it will be a challenge compared to the first two, I am confident that it will turn out beautifully.

For those of you who are interested in Margaret's book, you can purchase it directly from her website here.  I have made many purchases from her site now, and I must say the customer service is outstanding.

Well, today is my eldest daughter's birthday so I must go now and celebrate.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and until next time. . . 

~Happy Stitches!~

Whitework with Color

Happy (almost) Spring!  It seems as if it has been a long time coming! lol  Though, where I live winter comes early, and it always overstays it's welcome.  I saw the first robin of the season a couple of weeks ago, and the blue jays, as well as various types of ducks have arrived!  Besides needlework, watching the waterfowl, as well as other types of critters in the river is one of my favorite things to do.  Sometimes, I do both. . . I sit out on our deck, and embroider or crochet while listening to the ducks splashing and diving.

And speaking of birds. . . I embroidered a little owl from Trish Burr's book, Whitework with Color.  There are two to choose from in the book.  The one I chose is embroidered using browns and golds and is just adorable.  I have hoop framed him and he is displayed proudly in my living room.  He is embroidered on White Church linen, with DMC embroidery floss.  Here he is:

I believe his eyes are my favorite thing about this piece. 

 I also managed to finish a second project from the book.  A tea cup holding a bouquet of wild flowers.  Again I used white Church linen, and DMC embroidery floss, as well as a bit of Gloriana silk floss, and DMC Floche.

This has also been hoop framed and is displayed in my living room.

There are at least 15 different projects in the book, all stunning and beautiful in their own way.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves needle painting.  Long and short stitch is utilized in this particular technique, but padded satin stitch is the bulk of the work.  I know mine has improved immensely since completing various projects from the book.

At the moment, I am working on a new project, this time Reticello and Punto Antico embroidery.  I was finally able to put an order in at Tombolo e Disegni and stock up on my favorite Italian linen (Sotema) and DMC broder.  I also purchased a book on reticello embroidery.  It is not a teaching book, but a compilation of different works.  Very inspirational if one is already versed in the art of Reticello.

Well, I hear some ducks in the water outside. . . time to get back to nature, and of course, my needlework.  

'Til next time. . . 

Happy Stitches!

Burgundy Roses Curtain

Good Afternoon!  I have completed another project. . . I started this one back during the summer, but put it on hold to complete the baby girl curtain.  It is a simple curtain for the window of our front door.  I used Sotema 38 ct linen in Ivory, and various colors of different DMC embroidery floss for the needle painted roses and rose buds.  For the reticello windows, I used DMC coton a broder in sizes 25 and 30, color ecru.  For the reticello lace I used hand dyed, DMC special dentelles, size 80, which I purchased from Un Petit Fil, especially for this project.  The needle painted rose s and budsare from one of Trish Burr's books, and the reticello roses are from one of Giuliana Buonpadre's books.  The pictures aren't the greatest because I took them early this morning when the light in my living room is poor.

It is a fairly simple piece, but I think it is pretty, and it gives us a bit more privacy from people walking by outside.

I have been very busy with work, and it is about to get busier in the coming month, but I will always find time for my needlework.  I am currently working on a small project from one of Trish Burr's books, and I just recently ordered Lunarheavenly's new book.  I am very excited to see the new flowers and crochet patterns, and hope to recieve it within the next week.  Of course, I will share with all of you what projects I am able to complete from her new book.  
Well, since my free time is very limited these days, I am anxious to get back to my needlework.  I hope you are all having a wonderful day!  Until next time. . . 
Happy Stitches!