Hardanger Tray Cloth

Good Morning!  I completed the small Hardanger Tray cloth that I mentioned in my last post.  It is not a very big project, but I still like how it turned out.  It was a good project to help me become better acquainted with the Sorbello stitch.  I was not too sure about it at first, but it is now one of my favorite stitches and techniques.  What is really great about it is, I can use it to complete cross stitch patterns and charts.

This project was completed using a chart in Giuliana Buonpadre's tenth book, which takes a very interesting approach to Hardanger.   I used Sotema 38 ct linen in Antique White, DMC Retors D' Alsace size 12 in Blanc, for the Hardanger stitches.  For the flowers in Sorbello stitch, leaves and branches, I used thread that I had purchased from Un Petit Fil.  It is hand dyed, DMC special dentelles in size 80, and she really does have some gorgeous color combinations.  I highly recommend taking a look at her shop.

I didn't really have anything planned when I started stitching the project, so I just used a simple Hemstitch border to complete it.

I am currently working on another project. . . a curtain for my front door window.  With work and other obligations, it may take me awhile to finish it, but it will get done.  lol

Well, I hope you all enjoy your day, until next time. . . 

Happy Stitches!

A Christmas Curtain for a Baby Girl

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!~

Hardanger Squares

Good Morning, stitching friends!  I am happy to announce that I have successfully completed the 4 hardanger squares.  I am, however, having difficulty designing a border that is satisfactory.  As I mentioned in my last post, I cut my linen a bit too small for the project as it is designed in the book's instructions.  I have drawn out a few different borders that would fit my piece, but I do not like any of them very much. . . it could be because I had my heart set on making it to look like the book's.  I am on the verge of giving in, and just cutting the 4 squares, and larger centerpiece, and having 5 very nice smaller pieces, and a lesson well learned. (always quadruple check the instructions!!)  I am going to hold off for another week, however, to see if something else will come to me, or will learn to like the designs that I have already come up with. *sigh*

I did take some quick snapshots of the the four smaller squares.  They are very lovely, and showcase many different embroidery techniques and stitches.  If I do decide to make them into standalone pieces, perhaps I will begin this project again, making sure that my linen is cut large enough to accommodate the piece in it's entirety.  In the meantime, I have been doing a bit of crochet.  I had to take a few months off because of wrist and joint issues.  Irish Crochet requires very tight tension and stitches, and also add to that the constant twisting of the wrists, and strange angles, especially when making background netting, and it got to the point where I could barely hold a crochet hook without wincing.  I think it is advisable to take a break from your craft of choice, or every once in awhile to avoid this, and I will certainly keep this mind for the future.  Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of crochet to share, but I should soon.  I am following a project designed and made by the very talented owner and instructor of Irish Crochet Lab, and it is a beauty.

Before I get back to brainstorming, here are the photos of the completed Hardanger squares:

As you can tell from the photos that I have posted of what I did manage to get done of this project, it is very detailed and beautiful.  Even if I do manage to come up with a border that I like for this current Hardanger project, I am fairly certain that I will still remake this piece as it is detailed in the book.

Well, it is back to thinking and stitching for me!  I hope you are all using your creativity and making something that makes you smile.  Until next time. . . 

Happy Stitches!

Hardanger Center Square

Good Morning!  It's been a bit since I've posted.  I've been a busy stitching bee working on my project from Giuliana's latest book.  It is a bit more complicated than I originally thought it was going to be, but I think that's because I do not have much experience with Hardanger.  I have managed to get the center square completed though.  It certainly has a lot of detail and utilizes a plethora of stitches and techniques.  In fact, just the center of this project would make a lovely Hardanger doily.

I am currently working on the smaller squares that surround the center, and each of these 4 squares would also make lovely and elegant smaller projects.  I do have to admit, that I made a bit of a boo boo already.  When I read the instructions for the piece, it said that it was made on a piece of linen that was 70 x 70 cm.  I assumed that this was the size that my linen should be cut.  However, after looking through the diagrams and instructions, I now believe that the finished piece is 70 x 70 cm.  So, I am not going to be able to finish this project as presented in the book.  My piece will be smaller, and the border will be a bit different.  At first, I was a bit upset about this, but after some planning, I have figured out a way to keep a lot of the major components of the original piece in my smaller version.  This has taught me a lesson - always quadruple check the directions before cutting your materials! lol

I have some photos of the center square.  I am using DMC Retors D' Alsace in sizes 8 and 12 (I absolutely ADORE this thread) on 28 count Graziano linen.

I am currently working on the third smaller square and will make sure to snap some photos of them to share when they are completed.

Since the weather is unseasonably warm, and the sun is shining, I think I am going to take a bit of a break from my embroidery project, and crochet some flowers.  Irish Crochet Lab owner and instructor, Larisa, is sharing a new project that she is working on, and has invited her students to join her.  I am very excited for this, as it has been awhile since I have crocheted. . . I don't want to get "rusty", so this small project is the perfect break from my Hardanger project.  What are your plans for today?  Whatever they may be,  I hope you all have a wonderful day and until next time. . . 

Happy Stitches!