Old Projects part 6

Another unframed but finished project. Bought on holiday in Wales again in the late 1990's along with the Carew Cross. This I did first but then lost it therefor the cross was framed and this not.

A traditional blackwork but worked in different shades of green and highlighted gold thread.

Very simplistic but very effective I think. The unstitched  parts give the piece more depth.

This next piece does not really warrant a post of it's own but I wanted to share so I have added it onto the bottom here.

 A small cross stitch for one of my daughters.

Sew Vala. x

An old love rekindled.

While I have been writing these posts on old projects, I remembered how much I love embroidery. It seems to have sparked a new desire to do more again.

So on came a new internet search while I was supposed to be writing my first assignment on Medusa. I am studying Myth in the Greek and Roman worlds, this year. I would like to share with you what I found.

Here is a site that has some lovely free patterns and a FAQ section.
http://embroidery.about.com/  it is heavy on advertising but definitely worth checking out.

http://www.royal-needlework.org.uk/  the Royal School of Needlework, lots of information. I would like to do a couple of their courses next year if  funds allow. In the meantime I stocked up on books from their on-line shop to learn some new techniques.

I have rotated that picture several times however it wanted to appear sideways each time. sorry.

http://www.embroiderersguild.com/
who have two magazines -
stitch and embroidery , which are both worth looking at.

For those of you who are interested the exhibition below is taking place at the ashmolean museum in Oxford.
On the Saturday 1 December there is a  big stitch event. I also hope to attend.

Threads of Silk and Gold: Ornamental Textiles From Meiji Japan Exhibition | 9 November 2012 – 27 January 2013 | Galleries 57, 59 & 60 | £6 /£4 Concessions Many of us are aware of the beauty of the traditional Japanese kimono: Threads of Silk and Gold introduces the less familiar but equally spectacular ornamental textiles that were made in Japan for the foreign market in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Intricate embroideries and tapestries, dyed silks and velvets entranced Western audiences with their sophisticated designs and brilliant craftsmanship. The exhibition highlights Meiji textiles from the newly-acquired collection of the Sannenzaka Museum in Kyoto, one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of its type in existence.


Wow so many events to do, we also have comi-con/expo (just found out Matt Smith, Doctor Who will be there) and hyperjapan that we want to attend.

How do you decide what to do when there are so many good things going on, On what to visit / do and what not to do. Perhaps we should play Diceman.

Sew Vala. x

Old Projects part 5

Another kit from the 1990's. Not something I would have bought myself, I remember it was a present, and I can not remember who from. If you, the giver, are reading this I am sorry I did not like it, but please read on. This is a printed canvas tapestry and it looked very blocky. I could not figure out how the blockyness (?) could create the smooth hair or the flowing dress fabric. But I was determined to give it a try.

Yeah, close up it is blocky. But I have come to realise this piece is best viewed from a distance. The original dress had some kind of swirly broach at the centre, this I did not like so I just carried on with the dress pattern.

Once it was finished, I thought a little more of it. It was ok.


   

And today when I went looking for it to photograph I have decided I love it.
So whoever you are who bought me this present Thank you very much. And I promise one day to frame it and display it lovingly in my home. That will not be for a while yet, it is quite large and will cost a pretty penny, but one day I will. In the mean time this fair lady is carefully wrapped up and hidden from daylight.

Sew Vala. x 

Old projects part two

Another of the pre-sewing machine projects,

This time a picture I made for my daughters room. She was a toddler in love with Strawberry Shortcake, due to a quiltcover bought at a charity shop. This daughter is now 21 and still asks what happened to her favourite quilt. I have no idea.

This is also hanging in the hall way, although the little girl looks out of place. As this is where I hang all my signed Sci-fi pictures and my signed drumskin of the chili peppers.
And yet I am still proud of her as she made my little girl so happy when I put the picture in her room.



Sew Vala. x

Old projects

While I work away on new projects and try to keep up on the studies, not much of a muti-tasker am I.

I thought I would like to share a few images of previously made projects.
I first started sewings back in the 90's and cross stitch was the order of the day.

In random order of posting dictated by finding and photograping the objects.

Done in black work embrodiary the Carew cross, in Wales.

This is now framed and hanging in the hallway.

More to follow later


Love Sew Vala x