Hebarium Table Mat

I hope  everyone is having a wonderful holiday and holiday season.  It's been a little while since I last posted.  I've been busy with holiday errands and such.  I also completed another small project.  As I mentioned previously, I was excited to start experimenting with the ideas and projects in Hebarium. 

I made a small table mat.  For this project, I used Sotema 20L linen in white, DMC coton a broder size 25 in Snow White for the stitches and whip stitches around the reticello, and DMC coton a broder in Snow White, size 30 for the whip stitched bars.

For the the Reticello, I used DMC coton a broder size 25, in different colors.  As you will see from the photos, I used different shades of the same colors to add some "shading" and depth to the flowers and foliage. 

The swirls and clovers around it, are also DMC coton a broder 25 in neutral colors.  I just used a simple hem stitch to finish the piece.  It is a cute little mat, and the perfect starter project, I think.  This wasn't a difficult project for me, as a lot of it was very similar to Aemilia Ars, more so than traditional Reticello.

  I plan on making more reticello pieces in color.  Roses, I think, this time.  Well, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!  Until next time. . .

Happy Stitches!

New Punto Antico Tea Cloth

It is so very cold, and so very white outside.  We have gotten about two feet of snow over the past two days.  It is pretty, but a pain to shovel. *sigh*  On a happier note, I finished my latest Italian embroidery project.  It is considered Punto Antico, though there is a bit of Reticello, and drawn thread work, as well.

I used Bright White Sotema 20L (38 ct) linen, and DMC Coton a Broder in sizes 25, 30, and 35 in ecru.  I also used a bit of DMC Cordonnet Special in size 70 for the hemstitch.   The cloth is approx. 57 cm x 57 cm, and the hem is about 3cm wide. The drawn thread and needle weaved hems are from Giuliana's book Punto a Giorno.  Here are some photos of the finished piece:

 I also added some picots to the needle weaving on the drawn thread work, and used a simple four petal woven flower for the corners:

I really enjoyed this project, as it used a variety of stitches, but didn't take too long to complete.  This particular pattern can be found in Giuliana Buonpadre's book, Lessons and Samplers in Punto Antico.

Today I plan on starting a new project from her book Hebarium.  I will choose the linen, project and of course, lush colors for the beautiful reticello flowers.  I haven't gotten around to painting or dyeing threads yet, but depending on what project I choose, I may start today so that I have the appropriate colors for my project.

I hope you enjoyed the photos, and have a wonderful day.  I have lots to do so until next time. . .

 Happy Stitches!

First Snow

Good Morning!  I hope everyone had a wonderful week!  Mine was busy as we got our first snow of the season.  It was hilarious watching the goats play and frolic around in it.  They were a bit hesitant at first to step out onto it, but once they did, they had a grand old time, running and jumping around in the snow.

Even with all of this fun, I still found plenty of time to relax in front of the fire with my needlework.  I finished the main part of my current project, and have started on the hem.  As I mentioned previously, I am going to add some drawn thread work to the piece, and possible some counted thread work.  My source of inspiration and information,  are these two books by Giuliana Buonpadre.

The second book in her series, A Fili Contati is filled with pages of patterns of gorgeous counted thread patterns, all very versatile.  There are also a couple of projects as well.  The fourth book, Punto a Giorno, is full of drawn thread patterns, as well as step by step instructions on finishing an embroidery project with the antique hemstitch and of course, mitred corners.  There are also step by step instructions for a sampler that utilizes a lot of the patterns illustrated in the book.  There were so many to choose from, but I finally picked one.  I'm not certain which designs from book 2 I will use yet, . . I want to get the hem and drawn thread work done first and then decide which will look best. 

Here are some photos of the piece so far:

I have really enjoyed this project, and it didn't take too long to make.  I'm already thinking of where I can put it once it is done.

Of course, since this project is almost completed, I have been thinking and planning on what to make next.  I think I mentioned it before, but I am going to pick a project from Giuliana's book Hebarium - a gorgeous book featuring Reticello in color.  It is not traditional Reticello, however, but flowers and blossoms that are colored and shaded to be more realistic looking. 

Studying this book has given me the motivation I need to start hand dyeing and painting my own threads.  There are a lot of embroidery threads in a plethora of colors that are not readily available here in the States.  While I do not mind ordering supplies overseas, it can be pricey.  I dabbled in thread and crochet painting over the summer and I enjoyed it.  Plus, coton a broder, which I love to use for Reticello, is only available in colors in size 25.  If I dye and paint my own threads, I can have colored threads In any size or brand of thread that I wish to use.   I will make sure to keep you posted on this endeavor.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you all have a great weekend.  I have a project to finish!  Until next time . . .

Happy Stitches!

Irish Crochet White Flower Purse

Good Morning!  I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  We had a good one.  We spent some time outside situating our goats for the winter.  We managed to clean out their stalls, and made sure they have an adequate, safe source of heat for the winter.  They seem happy, so we must have done a good job.

Today I would like to share with you an Irish Crochet Purse I made last winter.  It was my first time working with a Kiss Top frame, and I think it came out pretty well.  I used Fincrochet Cotton in size 40 for the motifs, and size 60 for the background netting.  I also added a bit of Sulky Metallic Sliver thread to some of the elements.  The Romanian Cord was made using Fincrochet size 20. There are also Swarvoski Crystal Pearls adorning the flowers and I used as Czech glass white pearl seed beads, size 11 for the crochet edging.  The body and lining of the purse is Charmeuse silk, and I added some delicate lace edgings for some extra girly frills.  The purse isn't very big, and is perfect for a bride, I think.  Here is the purse:

As you can see from the photos, I did not make both sides of the purse using the same composition.  I really love this little purse, and I think it has a vintage look.  Irish Crochet Lace in white or cream is just so very beautiful and delicate, though it certainly can be a gorgeous done in colors.

I also managed to get some work done on my Punto Antico/Reticello project.  Here are some sneek peaks:

I chose ecru thread on snow white linen so the design would stand out a bit more.  I am also plan on adding some drawn thread work to the piece.

After this project is completed, which won't be too long, I plan on delving into the world of Reticello in color.  I just placed an order to Lacis last week and received a box of goodies - Embroidery threads in a plethora of colors.  I want to make some of the projects from Giuliana Buonpadre's book Hebarium which is filled with ideas and photos of Reticello done in beautiful colors using different threads and linens.  I am very excited for this.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful day.  Until next time. . .

Happy Stitches!

Punto Antico Table/Tea Cloth

Good Morning!  I wanted to write a post yesterday, but I had a doctor's appointment.  Fortunately, now they don't take very long, but it is an hour drive there, and another hour back. . . and since my husband and I were out, we decided we might as well run errands as well.  It wasn't too bad of a day, but I prefer being home with a hot cup of coffee, under a blanket, with my needlework in my hand, especially in the colder weather.

I finished the Punto Antico piece a few days ago, and have taken photos of the completed (and washed and ironed) project.  I used Sotema Linen 20L ( 38 ct) in Ivory for the linen.  The threads used were DMC Coton a Broder sizes 25, 30 and 35 in white.  I also used some DMC Floche size 16 in white, for some of the counted thread work.  I used DMC cordonnet cotton size 70 for the hemstitch.  The pattern is in Giuliana Buonpadre's book Punto Antico in Veneto.  I have all of her Embroidery books and I have to say that I absolutely love them.  It is very difficult to find teaching and project books on Italian Needlework and Embroidery in English, and all of hers have been translated not only to English, but French as well.  If you are interested, you can order directly from her site here.  I believe some of them are also available in stores, but I found it easier to just order a few at a time directly from her site.  The shipping costs are very reasonable, though I will say it took at least a month to arrive. . . totally worth the wait though! 

I also found a wonderful Italian internet shop that delivers to the U.S.  They have a very good selection of Italian Linen in different counts, and the prices are fabulous.  Of course, linen can be ordered locally, but they also have threads and items that are not available here, such as Coton a Broder size 35.  I placed an order yesterday, and purchased some linen and threads that are not available here.  I will post photos of my goodies when they arrive.  If you are interested, you can browse the shop for yourself here.  They carry a HUGE selection of items and books for not just Embroidery, but many forms of lace making, including crochet and knitting.

So without further ado here are the photos of the finished piece.   It is approx. 60 cm by 60 cm in size.

Here are a couple more of the work in progress

I put it on my coffee table, and I have already received a lot of compliments on it.  I hope the piece I am working on currently turns out as well as this one did.

I hope you enjoyed this post and will come back next week as I will be sharing more crochet items.  Well, I have a cup of coffee and some embroidery waiting for me, until next time. . .

Happy Stitches!

Rose Garden Purse

Good Morning!  Today I would like to share photos of the Rose Garden Purse that I made over the summer. . . I actually made two, but the other one was gifted to my eldest daughter.  I loved it so much, that I had to make myself one as well.  I used DMC pearl cotton in sizes 12 and 8, as well as Valdani Pearl Cotton in sizes 12 and 8.  The pearls are of course. Swarvoski Crystal, and the body of the purse is Duchesse Satin, while the lining is China Silk.  I purchased the kiss top frame from a seller on Etsy. 

The motifs for the purse are all available for purchase from the shop at Irish Crochet Lab.  This purse was in fact, inspired by Larisa Chilton who is the teacher/owner of Irish Crochet Lab.  She really is a wonderful instructor, and so very generous with her time and knowledge.  I encourage you to check out her website, and if you have always wanted to know how to make heirloom quality Irish Crochet Lace, her lessons will no doubt get you there. 

To be perfectly honest, this was only the third time that I had made a purse using a Kiss Top Frame.  I was a bit intimidated for a long time to try it.  I looked up tutorials online, and there is a lot of information on how to use these frames, as well as a plethora of You Tube videos.  This particular frame is a sew in frame.  The main tutorial that I used was by Stitching Notes.  This tutorial even teaches you how to make your own template, which is very useful considering there are so many different styles of frames available.  I researched other sites, to familiarize myself with the process, but this one was the best for a total novice, in my opinion.

Here is a sneek peak at my current Embroidery Project.  I am using Sotema 20L linen, and DMC Coton a Broder in various sizes.

I hope you join me again this week as I still have so much to share!  There is another purse, Miniature Painted Crochet, as well as the finished Punto Antico piece.  Have a great day and. . .

Happy Stitches!