Saturday, January 20, 2018

ANOTHER ITALIAN PIECE

My next Italian embroidery that I finished was this piece of Casalguidi, the design was adapted from one in Effie Mitrofanis' book Casalguidi Style linen  Embroidery, it is an excellent book and she is an excellent tutor I have done workshops with her on this work on several occasions the first being in 1996.  Casalguidi is a traditional embroidery that lends itself well to modern interpretations.  My favourite piece is my dandelion pocket, which is showing its age ... stitched about 20 years ago.
The guild here started the Italian  embroidery collection last week and hopefully that will prompt me to finish my pieces to date I have shared only seven, two more are well on their way to be completed

Jan and family have arrived home from their holiday in the South Island and brought me a Dodoland kit for  a fantail. It took no time to make up and is on the table by my stitching  chair. It is really very lifelike for a cardboard model.
It is another cool damp day here ... great for stitching, and i hope by next time I post to share my adaption of linen and Stitches 2018 sampler.


Monday, January 1, 2018

Welcome 2018 so much to look forward to......

Its New Years Day here, the year has come in damp and any rain will be welcomed by the farmers who are facing drought situation, for me it means a good day for stitching..... I was up early so I could log on to Linen and Threads to see what  the start of their new mystery sampler looks like, quite different from the 2017 one, which I am not quite finished but I just had to have a new start for the new year! will share when I am a little further on. What I can share is the last of my exchange gift, again I made  hearts.  These are a set of two as there were two piece of lace left from another project that were perfect in size and shape.
I have also heard from Annette in California that her gift has arrived, so another heart to share with you. This one is a needle book, stitched with a combination of hardanger, blackwork and surface embroidery stitched on 40 count permin linen.
The hardanger edge was inspired by something found ages ago on the internet, unfortunately I cant find it again to give credit to the designer.

 the blackwork  pattern is stitch in old gold silk and in this case forms a damask like pattern

 
and don't you just love it when a photo is upside down and nothing you do manages to turn it over.

I have enjoy the hearts so much and there are so many lovely designs out there so I have made my personal challenge for this year, ... hearts in as many different embroidery techniques as possible.

The guild here is stitching My Italian Love affair as their monthly projects, so I must  share with you  the rest of the pieces I stitched .. here is the Punto Antico piece. I love this work and over the years have stitch many pieces using this technique.... more to share when I have uploaded the photos.

 
To all who visit my blog, very best wishes for the new year, may it be blessed with many stitching hours.