Glorious Morning Glories - Chinese Silk Embroidery

Good Morning!  I hope everyone is having a Happy Holiday Season!  Ours is filled with family, lots of baking and unseasonably warm weather.  It was the first time in a very long while that we didn't have snow on Christmas.

But, even with the hustle and bustle of this busy time of year, I managed to finish my latest project.  It took more than 3 months, but it was totally worth it.  I completed the third project in Margaret Lee's book - The Art of Chinese Embroidery.  The third project is a continuation of the plant phase.  It is a gorgeous print of blooming Morning Glories and the leaves as well as the flowers are quite a bit different than stitching Orchids.

I am very happy with the progress I am making in this beautiful art form and can't wait to get started on the next project and phase, which is insects.  I get to stitch butterflies!

But I digress. . .I have a lot of photos to share today.  Trying to capture the beauty of Chinese silk stitched on a lovely lightweight silk taffeta is very difficult, but I tried. lol 

Here are some photos of the Work In Progress:

I have the project covered in cellophane, as per Margaret's suggestion.  It really keeps the project clean and protected.

Here are some photos of the completed project:

I also added my "signature" to the work.  My given name is Regina, so I looked up the symbol online and the literal translation of the two Chinese characters I used are "Female King" which means Queen, Regina in Latin. 

The next phase after insects are brush or calligraphy technique.  Once I have some practice with this technique, then my "signature" will take on a nicer look.

I haven't framed the piece yet.  I am debating whether to have a custom frame made and frame it myself, or have it done professionally. . . we will see what the budget says. lol  So for now it is carefully wrapped in acid free tissue paper and safely put away.

I must say I really enjoy this type of embroidery.  Margaret's whole philosophy and teachings in the book really give me the inspiration and motivation to do my best.  Whenever I think, oh you can slack a little here, no one will notice, I tell myself "Near enough is not good enough" and I am driven to give my all.  This is just one of the quotes from Margaret's book.  It doesn't just work for embroidery either. lol

If you are interested in this type of embroidery, please visit Margaret's website here.  It's not only her shop, but it also her Gallery and general information on Chinese Silk Embroidery as well as Japanese Bead Embroidery.

I hope you all have a very safe and Happy New Year.  Until next time. . . 

~Happy Stitches~

Chinese Silk Embroidery

Happy Sunday!  It's been a season and a half since I've last posted.  I made quite a few projects from Trish Burr's book Whitework with Color, as well as started learning a new embroidery style.  First things first. . . a little bit of eyecandy. lol

These are from the aforementioned book.  These are not all the projects I have made from Trish Burr's book, but some I have given away as gifts.  :-)  

The hummingbird and lion were made using the materials suggested in the book (DMC cotton floss and Gloriana silk floss).  The Dragonfly was made using Au Ver a Soie silk floss.  I matched colors using my own eye, as well as some help from conversion charts.  These little beauties are framed and gracing my living room walls.  I highly recommend any of Trish Burr's books but I find I had a lot of fun with this one.

As I mentioned earlier, I have been busy teaching myself a new embroidery style and that would be Chinese Su Embroidery.  I purchased Margaret Lee's book The Art of Chinese Embroidery and I wasn instantly captivated by the beautiful projects featured in the books.  It wasn't just the lush and gorgeous pictures of embroidery inspired me. . . it was also her words and approach to embroidery.  I've often thought that fiber artists are just that.  . artists.  Anyone who has seen Margaret Lee's embroidery would also agree.

Not long after I ordered her books, I promptly ordered the practice project kits (which come with EVERYTHING, even needles!) and what I like to call the "set up".  I have the support frame, the trestles, and her special slate frames (which are modeled after Chinese Traditional Frames) and since then I have been practicing and creating.

I have done needle painting before but I had never worked with filament silk.  Yes, it can be finicky, etc, but I love it.  Thanks to Margaret's book, I have learned to work with it without disaster or catastrophe. lol

I have currently finished the first two projects, Rising Star and 3 Sisters.  Rising Star did not come out as well as I would have hoped but being it was my first attempt, I must admit I did better than I thought. lol  

I will say that I am very proud at how my second project turned out.  By the time I worked on the second project, I had memorized Margaret's words and a better handle on her suggested approach to embroidery.

I just love the glow and sheen of the silk thread.  Currently I am working on the next project in the book and it is a beauty.  Morning Glories and while it will be a challenge compared to the first two, I am confident that it will turn out beautifully.

For those of you who are interested in Margaret's book, you can purchase it directly from her website here.  I have made many purchases from her site now, and I must say the customer service is outstanding.

Well, today is my eldest daughter's birthday so I must go now and celebrate.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and until next time. . . 

~Happy Stitches!~