Hoping to start another goldwork project some time this month - as I want to mount it on the Millennium frame it will have to wait at least until Orpheus is finished but May do some of the preparation this weekend, attaching the silk fabric to a calico background so it will actually fit the frame. It's a hot air balloon kit which I'm model stitching for Benton & Johnson, and fortunately they haven't given me a deadline!
Meanwhile I've been getting into surface/freestyle embroidery, using some freebie designs and - inspired by Mrs Milky Bar Kid - lots of different silk threads from my stash.
The first one was a Kelly Fletcher freebie, from her series Bloomin' Marvellous (scroll to the bottom of the page)
Then I tried a Mary Corbet design, although it's stitched differently from hers as I was away from the internet while stitching it so couldn't refer to her example. It's a bit wonky here and there but I'm really pleased with it nonetheless, I particularly like how the blue flower turned out as it reminds me of a forget-me-not
And finally a design from an out-of-copyright book Mary Corbet mentioned in her blog, Samplers & Stitches by Mrs Archibald Christie. This is all done in stem stitch, and I like the ffect of it being coloured outlines only (although I was tempted to fill in the strawberries to make the little yellow pips stand out more, but I think that would have unbalanced the overall look)
Last edited by Mabel Figworthy on Fri May 01, 2015 2:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
These are all lovely. Are you planning on designing your own embroidery patterns also? I think you would do a wonderful job. And its also great to hear from you again.
Carole
WIPs
Star Wars Afghan:Chewbaca
HAEDs:
O Kitten Tree
Dancing with the Cat
Everything else "on hold"
2022 Finished: Star Wars Afghan: Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Finn, Rey, Poe, Han Solo,Darth Vader, BB8,Luke Skywalker
There is one main scribble which I'm planning on stitching in more than one way, and possibly make into a SAL at some point - it's a Tree of Life design with differently stitched leaves.
Can't wait, but not asking for when. At least not yet!
Carole
WIPs
Star Wars Afghan:Chewbaca
HAEDs:
O Kitten Tree
Dancing with the Cat
Everything else "on hold"
2022 Finished: Star Wars Afghan: Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Finn, Rey, Poe, Han Solo,Darth Vader, BB8,Luke Skywalker
Love all your embroidery Mabel, your stem stitch is so neat! I downloaded the Kelly Fletcher freebies after you mentioned them on your blog - just need to find some appropriate ground fabric as I'm not sure if 40ct will work. I look forward to any new SALs from you, you know I'll sign up (even though I'm only getting around to SOTW now......!).
Amanda
Band Sampler (SANQ)
Elle Brodes des Lettres Carmin (Reflets de Soie)
Alice (Aury TM)
Mini Tears of Yesterday (HAED)
Miss Cherry Blossom (Mirabilia)
Mabel, they are outstanding and I especially love the forgetmenot one. It would make a fabulous card. Love the colours you have used too. A fabulous update on your lovely work.
I will definitely sign up for any SAL you start and doing an embroidery one would be fabulous. I have not done fancy work for years but one day must get around to the small stamped little doilies from my Mums stash - it is richielo (?sp) work.
Sally in Brisbane Australia
WIPS
Christmas Stocking from World of Cross Stitching mag. 262
Squirrel wrote:Mabel, they are outstanding and I especially love the forgetmenot one. It would make a fabulous card. Love the colours you have used too. A fabulous update on your lovely work.
Lovely work, as always. I think you were right not to fill in the Strawberries. They sit well as you've stitched them, I think they would unbalance the pattern filled in.
BTW Where do you find the time to do all this wonderful stitching????
I don't have nearly as much time as I'd like, Wendy - I snatch some designing and blogging moments at the computer throughout the working day (sorry boss ), but most of my stitching is done after dinner, and with the evenings getting lighter dinner is often not until 8pm.
Sally, I agree the cross would make a lovely card, but it was quite a lot of work and my first real silks shading project so I will very selfishly keep it. I'm going to find a frame for it and use it as an annual Easter decoration.
Mabel that is not being selfish with that lovely cross you have worked so gorgeously. It will look amazing framed and what a great idea to have it out at Easter time. Go for it.
Sally in Brisbane Australia
WIPS
Christmas Stocking from World of Cross Stitching mag. 262
Another Kelly Fletcher flower - I did this one specifically to try out a sample of twill fabric I was sent. The threads are Appleton crewel wools, and I wish they weren't . I'd forgotten how uneven and fluffed they are. Never mind, it's still a decorative flower .
That's very nice indeed! Nice bunch of stitches -- am I spotting coral stitch, buttonhole, stem, long and short and chain?
And don't talk to me about Appleton. It's what was used for Great Tapestry, and it seemed the darker the colour, the thinner and more unpredictable the fibre.
Yes, I must try and find some different crewel wools. Do you have a favourite brand?
About the stitches - nearly right . The base of the flower is padded satin stitch rather than long and short, and the yellow stripes inside the petals are Palestrina knots (with varying spacing - intentional!)
but May do some of the preparation this weekend, attaching the silk fabric to a calico background so it will actually fit the frame. It's a hot air balloon kit which I'm model stitching for Benton & Johnson, and fortunately they haven't given me a deadline!
), but most of my stitching is done after dinner, and with the evenings getting lighter dinner is often not until 8pm.
