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!~

Whitework with Color

Happy (almost) Spring!  It seems as if it has been a long time coming! lol  Though, where I live winter comes early, and it always overstays it's welcome.  I saw the first robin of the season a couple of weeks ago, and the blue jays, as well as various types of ducks have arrived!  Besides needlework, watching the waterfowl, as well as other types of critters in the river is one of my favorite things to do.  Sometimes, I do both. . . I sit out on our deck, and embroider or crochet while listening to the ducks splashing and diving.

And speaking of birds. . . I embroidered a little owl from Trish Burr's book, Whitework with Color.  There are two to choose from in the book.  The one I chose is embroidered using browns and golds and is just adorable.  I have hoop framed him and he is displayed proudly in my living room.  He is embroidered on White Church linen, with DMC embroidery floss.  Here he is:

I believe his eyes are my favorite thing about this piece. 

 I also managed to finish a second project from the book.  A tea cup holding a bouquet of wild flowers.  Again I used white Church linen, and DMC embroidery floss, as well as a bit of Gloriana silk floss, and DMC Floche.

This has also been hoop framed and is displayed in my living room.

There are at least 15 different projects in the book, all stunning and beautiful in their own way.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves needle painting.  Long and short stitch is utilized in this particular technique, but padded satin stitch is the bulk of the work.  I know mine has improved immensely since completing various projects from the book.

At the moment, I am working on a new project, this time Reticello and Punto Antico embroidery.  I was finally able to put an order in at Tombolo e Disegni and stock up on my favorite Italian linen (Sotema) and DMC broder.  I also purchased a book on reticello embroidery.  It is not a teaching book, but a compilation of different works.  Very inspirational if one is already versed in the art of Reticello.

Well, I hear some ducks in the water outside. . . time to get back to nature, and of course, my needlework.  

'Til next time. . . 

Happy Stitches!

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!~

Summer of Miniature Crochet

Happy Saturday!  It has been quite awhile since I last posted.  It's been a busy summer.  I have my preteen daughter home full time, and my eldest is also home from college for the summer.  We also had to move unexpectedly, which was very sad and super stressful.  I loved our farmhouse and the beautiful land it was nestled on, and I miss it very, very much.  We would get visits from all sorts of birds, and critters, including a plethora of hummingbirds, chipmunks, deer, sand cranes, and even a groundhog.  But, we found a temporary place that has (just enough) room for our chickens, ducks, and goats.  It's been a process getting everyone settled into a new routine in a new area.

I did manage to make quite the collection of miniature crochet items.  I have made a few jewelry pieces, and quite a few of the critters featured in Lunarheavenly's second book.  Quite a few of them have been given away to adorn lapels and bookbags, but I managed to hold on to a few.  Some of the items were painted using Rit Liquid Fabric Dye. . . that is until I discovered Higgins Drawing Ink.  I believe there are two different types of Higgins Drawing Ink.  At the moment, I am using the Non-Waterproof or Student Grade, but am anxious to try the other kind as well.  The colors of the Ink are very vibrant, blend well together to make an endless array of shades and tones, and dilute easily with water.  I really don't use anything else to paint Miniature Crochet anymore.  It was difficult with the Dye to make gradients and gradual color changes because the color would bleed, especially on something a tiny as a thread crochet flower.  lol 

Most of the items were made using DMC Cordonnet Cotton Special in size 80, though I used Fincrochet size 80 for a couple of them.  The very tiny,flowers were made using Aurifil lacemaking thread in sizes 40, 50, and 80.  The Aurifil size 80 is thinner than all purpose sewing thread, and takes a lot of patience and care when crocheting with it, but the little flowers it makes are just so tiny and adorable, that the hardship is worth it.

Here are a few critters I made using a combination of embroidery and crochet:

And here are some jewelry pieces I made using cute little findings I bought from Etsy.  One is a miniature hand mirror, and the other is a faux little pocket watch finding.  To the mirror I added a 6mm freshwater pearl.  The faux pocketwatch has some tiny Swarvoski rhinestones.

I also have a couple of flower arrangements I made.  I plan to sew them onto hair combs.  I sewed tiny Rocailles seed beads in shades of yellow to the center of the cherry blossoms.

This butterfly is one of my favorites.  I love the color scheme and plan on turning it into a necklace:

I recently ordered little Glass Globes from Etsy, and plan on putting little flowers into them as shown in Lunarheavenly's first book.  Here is a little Rose I made with that idea in mind:

I really enjoy making these miniature crochet items.  I plan on working on more in the near future.  For the moment, I am working on a new curtain valance for the new house, which has a lot more windows than the old one.  I am working on some needle painted flowers right now and plan to also add a bit of openwork and white work.  I don't have any pictures at the moment, but will get some very soon.

I have also been commissioned to make a curtain for a baby's room.  A friend and neighbor is having her first grandchild - a little girl - and she wants to give her something that will be one of a kind.  So she wants me to make a curtain for a small window in the baby's room.  The theme is elephants.  I will divulge more about this project as soon as I have  more details.

In the mean time, I will continue working on my own curtain.  I also recently ordered a new book. . . Whitework with Color by Trish Burr.  This book has some gorgeous projects that I can't wait to try.  So many projects, not enough time!   I hope you are all having a wonderful, creative and inspired day!  Until next time. . .
Happy Stitches!