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!

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!~

Kitchen Curtain in Reticello Lace Embroidery

Good Afternoon!  It took many hours of work, quite a bit of thread, and more than a few needles, but I have completed my kitchen valance, and the hard work was certainly worth it because I LOVE it!  It really brightens up the window, and there is an indescribable sense of pride and accomplishment whenever I look at my kitchen window.

For this project, I used Sotema 20L linen in cream, and DMC coton a broder in sizes 25, 30 and 35.  I also used a bit of DMC Floche size 16 for the satin stitches.  I did not follow a set pattern but rather took bits and pieces from my collection of books by Giuliana Buonpadre, and also some ideas from different embroidered curtains I saw online.  Since I decided on an elaborate border, I kept the rest of the curtain pretty simple.  I added a butterfly swirl trail using satin stitches, buillion stitches, and back stitches, and also added some satin stitch designs above the reticello embroidery.  I also placed some smaller reticello crosses and a square in the center of the valance.  I reinforced all the edges of the curtain with first a satin stitch using DMC embroidery floss (one strand), and then using white cotton sewing thread, I machine sewed very small straight stitches over the satin stitches. . . this was quite difficult.  lol  The sides were pretty simple, but the constant turning and the corners on the Reticello edge really took some time.  I did manage to complete it neatly, and then finally, using coton a broder #25, I buttonholed all along the edge.

Of course, the valance was not yet completed.  I had to trim all of the excess fabric from around the buttonhole stitches very, very carefully so as not to accidentally cut any of the needlework.  I have a special pair of embroidery scissors that I use ONLY for this purpose.  It keeps the blades sharp and clean.  I soaked my piece overnight in water and gentle detergent, then this morning I rinsed it alternating very hot and very cold water, and inspected it to make sure it was 100% clean.  I used a towel to roll the curtain up in and remove the excess water.  It did not take very long to dry, and then I ironed and steamed it. . . and then steamed it and ironed it.  It was a very satisfying moment when I put my many hours of hard work on the curtain rod and hung it on my kitchen window.

I then proceeded to take a plethora of photos. lol  Many of which I will now share with you.

The Reticello Embroidered edging took the most amount of time to complete of course.  I used the many windows to use a variety of filling stitches, while still trying to keep a sense of uniformity to the piece.

I used filling stitches that I had used on the rest of the border to complete the center diamond.

I added small windows of Reticello Embroidery in between the decorative satin stitches.

The buttercream color of the linen really brightens up the kitchen window.

I love the look of the lace on the window so much, I'm already planning on making more embroidered curtains for my living room windows.

After completing this lengthy embroidery project, I am going to take a break from embroidery and work a bit on crochet.  I recently ordered Lunarheavenly's 2nd book, as well as some new paint brushes, and threads.  Her second book is filled with adorable animals of all types. . . there are also a couple of projects that I have been wanting to complete from her first book.

Well, I hear my crochet hook and threads calling me. . . I hope you are all having a wonderful inspired day!  Until next time. . . 

Happy Stitches!

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!