Good Afternoon, dear readers! It has been a whole season since I've last posted. Since then, we have moved into our permanent residence - which is absolutely beautiful. We are now living in a cozy blue cottage right off the water. Our backyard is literally a river that is home to all sorts of critters, fish and water fowl. The rather large flock of swans that live on the river have decided to stay all winter, to my delight. The different species of ducks, however, have either moved to where the water is not frozen or flown south for the winter. Either way, I hope to see them - and their ducklings- this spring. :-)
I have also started working outside of the home. Not full time, but enough time to take away from my needle work and lace making. I do try to take at least 15 minutes a day to make progress on my current project. It has a way of relaxing me after a long day at work.
Last time I posted, I mentioned a commissioned piece of embroidery. It was from a grandmother who was expecting her first grandchild - a little girl. She wanted something unique that couldn't be found in a store, and on cream linen. The only specification was that she wanted flowers. For this very special, heirloom piece, I used 38 ct. Sotema Linen in Ecru, and of course, DMC coton a broder in sizes 25, 30 and 35, for the Hardanger technique. For the Reticello technique I used DMC special dentelle's, hand dyed in different pastels. Some of the threads, I dyed myself, others I purchased from Un Petit Fil. She has a gorgeous line of hand dyed threads in all types of color combinations. There is pearl cotton, cotton embroidery floss, silk embroidery floss, ribbons, lace and fabrics in addition to the Special Dentelles size 80. I highly recommend her shop. Shipping can be a bit pricey, if you go with the tracking and signed delivery option, but I received my goodies in about a week, so the extra money was worth it to me.
I didn't want to use too many bright colors, because I made this piece with the idea that it would be passed on from mother to daughter, and to be used throughout her life, and not just as a baby or child. I also wanted it to be something very unique, so I used a combination of Nordic Hardanger and Italian Reticello, as in Giuliana Buonpadre's tenth book, Fiordaliso e altri Fiori. Here is what I made:
I started the piece in late August, and completed it in the beginning of December. She had hoped to have it by the time the baby was born, which was October, but I explained to her that every part of the curtain was embroidered by hand - including the hems and edgings. So, she was content to receive it in time for Christmas. She was very happy and excited with the curtain, so I am glad to have exceeded her expectations. I hope her granddaughter enjoys it and cherishes it for a very long time, and her daughters and granddaughters after her.
The "curtain" is actually more of a valance, as the actual size of the window was a yard across, and five feet tall. The actual valance is about a yard wide, and two and half feet long. I suggested they pair the valance with a pair of sheers in a pastel color of their choosing, and she said that was a good idea.
I am working on something small at the moment, which is also a hybrid between Hardanger and Reticello. I hope to have it finished within the next week, as I want to make a small curtain for our new cottage. We have a lovely paned window on our front door, which also makes it very easy for outsiders to see in, so I would like to make a curtain that will give us a little more privacy.
Well, I am going to get back to my needlework, and enjoy the rest of my day off from work. I hope you are all working on something beautiful and are inspired by the magic of the Holiday Season. Have a safe and Happy New Year! Until next time. . .
~Happy Stitches!~
