Spring Activities

Good Morning!  It's been almost a month since I last posted, and what a busy month it was!  I had my final breast reconstruction surgery almost 4 weeks ago, and though I am almost fully recovered, I must admit it was a harder recovery than I expected. . . still I am happy to say that it was the last one, and prefer to look forward rather than behind.  I have not gotten as much done on my latest project as I would like, but it is coming along, and nicely.  I am currently working on a curtain valance for my kitchen window.  It is a small window, but the reticello embroidery work is very entailed.  I decided on a "scalloped edge" for the curtain.  Once all of the reticello embroidery is completed, I will reinforce the needlework with running stitches and buttonhole stitches, and cut around the embroidered lace.  I also plan on adding some more needle work to the body of the curtain . . . perhaps some more reticello, or maybe some satin stitch designs.  

I am using Sotema 20L linen, and DMC coton a broder in various sizes.  It took me a good long while to count the threads to figure out how many "windows" to pull and in what design.  And it also took a good long while to cut and withdraw the reticello threads. lol

I decided I  wanted a reticello diamond in the center of the bottom edge.  I thought about using a uniform lace design throughout but then decided against it.  There is a pattern to the lace, but I use different fillings in each area to achieve the pattern.

And here is a close up of the large center diamond which is not completed yet.

I will probably just mirror the same filling patterns and designs on the other side of the center diamond.  I will take more detailed photos of the finished curtain.  I am hoping my progress will speed up a bit since I have gotten all of my Spring cleaning done, and our brood of ducks and chickens are situated in their permanent living quarters.   The weather did not turn Spring like until this past week, so we had to make sure the birds were warm enough, which meant keeping them indoors.  Thankfully, it is finally starting to feel like Spring, and the birds are enjoying their new found freedom.  We have a large piece of land, so we allow them to free range.  I managed to get some photos of the birds and I would like to share these photos.  The large white duck is a Pekin duck, and the darker ducks are Rouen ducks. 

And here is one of our bantam chicks all cuddled together.

And these are our Rhode Island Red Hens:

Well, it's time to go check on these critters, and make sure they have food and water.  It is a beautiful sunny day, so I may grab my needlework and spend the rest of the morning outdoors.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and until next time. . . 

Happy Stitches!