Wedding wreath in pink

Last week I showed you EdMar's Wedding Wreath done in their suggested color scheme, today I am showing you the same pattern in pinks and creams to match my cousin's wedding colors. This one took me 6 days, and approximately 16 hours to stitch.

I've included my color pallet below:

• Leaves and branches: Iris 167
• Fine growth: Glory 167
• Maria's Rose: Lola 018
• Bullion Rose: Lola 229
• Peach Blossom: Nova 000 & Lola 135
• Cast-on Rose: Lola 169
• Japanese Violet: Lola 135
• Geron Daisy: Lola 233 & Lola 229

I used Lola for the French knot centers of the peach blossoms and daisy and added pearls to the Japanese Violets. In addition I used 4 colors of size 11 seed beads--pink, silver, white and clear to add a little sparkle to the pattern. I think my cousin will love it.

Which do you like better? The classic white, or the color version?

 

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A New England Wedding

Last weekend was my husband's youngest son's wedding. We had a glorious New England Indian summer day, with temperatures in the high 70s. Perfect for a wedding on the lawn overlooking the salt marsh. Kyle and Kristen were married by Roger's eldest son, Ben, and I kept from crying at the sweetness of his words only by reminding myself that my mascara wasn't waterproof.

The reception was in an old stone barn on the Crane Estate--low key, yet quite beautiful, with good food, family, and lots of dancing. You couldn't ask for a better function.

My husband with his brothers and nephew.

 

And although my wedding gift to them wasn't quite done, it was at the framer's with a promise to expedite the process. And here it is all framed up and ready to present to them--a Brazilian wedding sampler all in neutrals.

The pattern is called "Wedding Wreath" from EdMar and is deceptively simple. In fact, it would be a wonderful beginner piece because it uses only eight basic stitches. This one is completed following the recommended thread colors, but I have seen it done in purples. I am almost done stitching another for my cousin in pinks to match her wedding colors. I'll show you next week.

In the meantime, I hope Kyle and Kristen enjoy their wedding sampler and have many happy decades ahead of them.

 

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So many projects, why do I need more?

I have so many projects going--three that I have been actively working on this weekend, and two more set up to work on before the end of the year. I have so much, in fact, that I made absolutely sure to do a bit of stitching each day this week and promised myself that I would go to my Brazilian embroidery guild so that I could have a few hours of uninterrupted stitching time. And it was so fun. I love the ladies who stitch at the shop, many of whom I haven't seen for months because of my peripatetic lifestyle. Guild was just the inspiration I needed to make progress on my step son's wedding present. I didn't have time to work on it in August, but I know now that it will be done before the end of September, although it likely won't be framed until after the wedding.

 

Of course there is a downside to going to guild, and that is that it is in the middle of an embroidery shop. I swore I wasn't going to buy anything, and I did pretty well until I caught sight of this little kit.

 

These Calla Lilies by DK Designs are only 3x3", but how gorgeous are they? Debbie Kelley has the most fantastic designs and such interesting stitches. The lilies are done with something called "interwoven cast-ons." I have no idea what they are, but I HAVE to try it. I love learning new stitches. And, of course, it looks so stunning on the black background, that I had to buy black trigger. Unfortunately, it comes in 1-yard cuts! I hope I am inspired to do other things on black trigger, or that my friends are inspired to try their own calla lillies on black trigger after I finish mine. I can't wait to stitch this pattern, but I will save it until October.

Unfortunately, the pattern, fabric and thread for this project weren't all that I bought. As I rummaged through the bins looking for this pattern, I (of course) ran across another pattern I had not seen before. Berry Bouquet is advertised as an advanced piece and it looks advanced, but so much fun to stitch! I purposely did not buy the thread for this project because, although I have just about finished the wedding present for my cousin, I want to make her a wedding sampler before the year is out as well. Berry Bouquet will have to wait until the Christmas holiday, but what a treat it will be to work on--especially in the dead cold of a New England winter!

 

I also loaded myself up on a third project-- raiding our crazy quilt group stash for some fabric to make a few hexagonal blocks so I can keep up with our project while I am away. I'll try to get them sewn up before I go home. At least this project didn't cost me anything (although only because I bought the pattern book the last time I stitched at the shop).

So what's up?! Obviously I have no will power. Good thing I am only in Colorado for 3 1/2 weeks this time. Any more and I would be sure to go broke!

 

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Start of a design

Last week I talked a little about my desire to design my own embroidery and how the piece I was finishing was inspiring me. But, if you look back at my stitching resolutions for the year, you will find two more design projects I wanted to complete this year. One was for a competition for Piecework Magazine soliciting needlework inspired by literature. A photo of the worked piece was due this month, but you haven't seen anything related to my design yet, have you? Sigh.

 

I have been so busy working on Christmas and birthday presents, that my design piece has lagged behind and won't be anywhere near done this month. Additionally, although I got a giggle from the thought of a wedding ring pillow inspired by the Pride and Prejudice quote "a truth universally acknowledged", I started thinking that others might not get the joke--especially not modern, independent brides. I definitely cannot see my step son's fiancé wanting such a thing anywhere near her wedding!

 

But this sad story has a silver lining. The more I thought about it, the more I thought that my idea, minus the quote, would make a perfectly wonderful wedding or anniversary sampler. So, with renewed energy, I have begun, very slowly, working on some ideas.

 

I am starting with a blown up version of a monogram wreath I found on Mary Corbet's website. You can find the original pattern here, but I think when I am done, only the barest outlines will remain of that design.

 

Here are my scribbles in thread so far. You can ignore the colors. The blue will undoubtably be in the finished version, but there will be other colors as well. I am looking forward to getting back to this after I finish the project I am working on now (half done already), but since I intend to move most of my furniture back to Rhode Island in April and downsize in Denver, I may not get too far. We'll see!

 

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A WELCOME farewell

At last the WELCOME has come home, stretched and framed to hang on the wall. I have to admit to being disappointed with it though because of all the wrinkles in it. My husband picked it up last month, but I only saw a photo of it last week. I may have to take it elsewhere and have it redone--even if it means pinning it. At least we have it for Thanksgiving. Here are a few final photos to document the completion of this project and the start of our enjoyment of it in our every day lives.

 

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November celebrations

November is my big month for celebrations. I have four friends with birthdays in November, my sister, sister-in-law, step son and nephew are November babies, and my sister, I and another friend all have November wedding anniversaries. Needless to say, I have been stitching madly trying to get birthday and Christmas presents done--although I think I have hit my limit for what I can do this year. If it isn't done by Thanksgiving, it will turn into a "next year" gift.

 

But, the November trend isn't over. My friends are now having their own November babies. It seems to be a perpetual cycle! Because I can't show you gifts that have yet to be given, I am instead going to show you gifts I made several years ago.

 

For a first birthday gift for a good friend's first child, I decided to experiment with laser printing on fabric, and I was was quite pleased with how it turned out. I printed Isabel's name and birthdate on pre-treated fabric and then back stitched around the letters and sewed it into a pillow. Quick, easy, fun and, I think, particularly cheerful. I'd like to do more with technique, although I need to experiment with treating my own fabric. I think it could be a lot of fun to use other colors or types of fabric in this way.

 

Here is another birthday gift made a few years ago, after I moved to Colorado and started learning Brazilian embroidery. This pattern by Anna G Brazilian Embroidery is called "Christian" and measures 6" by 8". When I had it framed, the turkey work at the center of the daisy was so hight it almost touched the glass.

So happy birthday to all those Scorpios out there! The world wouldn't be the same without you.

 

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A WELCOME finish

I did it! The Brazilian WELCOME was finished in time for my husband's birthday. It isn't framed yet, but the frame is ordered and my finisher is lined up. My husband calls it my "masterpiece", which is very flattering. I'm glad he never saw the version my teacher stitched, which is so much more perfect! I actually think my stitching was better on my crazy pillow, but I am still quite pleased with how the WELCOME turned out.

 

Below are all the letters with their beads and bobbles, trimmed and fluffed as appropriate. Once it is framed I'll post a final photo, but that won't be for a few more weeks.

 

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WELCOME progress

My husband and I just bought a house in Rhode Island. It was built in 1850, but has been well kept. I saw it for the first time when I was back east at the end of August, and it really didn't take long to feel at home--even though half the rooms are empty and there were boxes everywhere. My husband has taken on everything--buying the house, moving, and house repairs--without my help since I am still in Colorado, and I am really grateful.

 

I'm trying hard to find a job so that I can move home soon. In the meantime my husband has identified the location where the Brazilian WELCOME will hang.

 

I've promised not to start any new projects until it is finished and have been working on it constantly this week. I've actually completed enough that I went to A Stitching Shop yesterday to buy the pearls and beads that will embellish the letters and flower centers. They won't be sewn in place until I finish the stitching and wash the piece, but I expect that will be during my next trip home in October.

 

This week I finished the "O". The blue peach blossoms were fun to make. My detached buttonhole petals are far from perfect, but I am quite pleased with how ruffly they look. I also like the frilly rose. I've made enough Bossa Nova Roses on this piece that it was fun to change it up with the cast on frills.

 

Only the W is left and I've already finished the gold, which is the hard part. I may have the whole WELCOME completed for my husband's birthday on October 5th. Cross your fingers that my Massachusetts framer will still consider framing it even though she has closed her shop. I want this one done right!

 

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Brazilian embroidery--finishing a project

This week I finished by Blumen Needle project and did all the finishing except the framing.

 

The first step is to soak the embroidery to remove any visible pattern lines. I let mine soak for an hour, but the lines were still visible, so I add some Biz to the water, which quickly removed the rest of the lines.

 

After a good rinsing, I quickly rolled the piece in a thick towel once or twice to get rid of as much water as possible. I don't really squeeze or twist the work during this step because I don't want to crush my embroidery, but some water has to be pressed out in order to dry the piece as quickly as possible.

 

Step three is drying. This is essential. Red and purple Brazilian threads have a tendency to run if they aren't dried very quickly and thoroughly. I do this with a hair dryer. Prior to this week, I would stand and hold the hairdryer over the piece until the threads seemed dry, but I have learned that this approach can lead to problems. If there is water left in the corners or the seams where you edged the piece, then that will slowly move back toward the center and a piece that you thought was perfect, will all of a sudden have red halos around the flowers. Because of all the red in this piece, I hung my hairdryer on the wall and let it run back and front for about 45 minutes until the whole piece was dry. There were no halos a few hours later, but if there were, boiling is supposed to be effective in removing them. I haven't yet gotten that desperate, but after washing and drying my last piece several times, I know now to make sure it is completely dry before turning off the hair dryer.

 

The final steps were clipping stray threads on the back and tacking my vines where I wanted them. It felt almost sad to tack them down since, as you can see, the vines with the flowers and leaves were completely free to move around. But, without tacking, the vines crowded each other, so tack I did.

 

The piece is all ready for a frame. I'll need to look for a deep one. Once it is framed, I'll hang it in my office at work as a reminder of a tranquil summer day.

 

To see my introductory post about this pattern click here.

 

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"All that white"--great projects that drive you crazy

I recently had an online exchange with a woman who had just finished an adorable cross stitch picture. It was three sheep bottoms and one sheep face beautifully stitched on dark linen. She was rightfully proud of it, but it took her several years to finish because of "all that white."

 

I think every stitcher has had the "all that white" experience. Cross stitchers may be more prone to it because they are locked into one stitch for the majority of their work, but all of us have felt it. My "all that white" project was, in fact, an extremely colorful Brazilian project, which like the sheep, looks fantastic stitched up, but caused excessive boredom while stitching.

These hibiscuses by DK Designs look lovely worked up. The frilly leaves were fun and surprisingly simple to do, and the brilliant flowers pulled me in like a bee to honey. The petals are composed of a variety of cast-ons, knotted cast-ons, combination cast-ons and bullions, topped off with a three-color drizzle for the stamens. The stitches are ingenious and pop off the fabric. It is everything a Brazilian project should be.

 

When I started stitching, I was so enamored of the pattern that I resolved to stitch two--one for me, and one for a friend. But as the months passed and I was still stitching the same string of cast-ons, I decided that maybe I could live with a photo of the finished piece. In fact, by the time it was done, I couldn't wait to ship it off to my friend in Finland. As pretty as it was, I never wanted to see it again.

 

So, despite the fact that my hibiscuses are full of eye-popping color, I so understand how all that white could drive someone crazy. What's your "all that white" project?

 

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Home is where you stitch

I've been in Denver for four years now. When I moved here, my husband-to-be came back from Afghanistan to drive me from Massachusetts to Denver. We weren't even engaged at the time. We took two weeks, not only to move (four days in the car) but to unpack and get oriented to the new city. I hadn't even seen my apartment before I arrived, although my things had arrived several days before me.

 

It was fun--almost like a vacation--except when Roger left, I was going to be alone in a new city far from anyone I knew. The day before he was scheduled to go, we checked out the cultural center. It is quite nice, offering plays, music, and art classes. I picked up a brochure and there it was--a class in Brazilian embroidery starting the very next day.

 

I immediately signed up. I had wanted to try Brazilian embroidery since high school when my parents gave me Rose Montague's Brazilian Three-Dimensional Embroidery, but I was intimidated by the stitches and didn't know where to find the thread. This class, I felt, would take the sting out of being so far from home and I would get to know some people.

 

During my first class, there were three students, me and two women in their 70s--but they were a riot. We worked basic stem stitches and bullions. That was fine, but the stitches didn't have the three dimensional look I craved. I finished that little kit so fast, that the instructor suggested that I try something more challenging.

 

Here it is, my second ever Brazilian embroidery project--a basket full of geraniums. I learned cast-ons, cast-ons with detached buttonhole and a fancy drizzle stitch. Immediately I was hooked. I've taken many classes with Christine since that first June evening and progressed to many more stitches, but this is the piece that hangs in my living room--my first true Brazilian embroidery, the piece that made Denver home.

 

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Brazilian embroidery--Blumen Needle project (pattern #5002)

On Saturday I showed you how I set this project up and promised to update you on how far I've gotten since the beginning of the month. I decided to start working this piece when my April trip home to Boston was cancelled. Since I couldn't work on my WELCOME, I wanted to do a small Brazilian project, and I had had this one in my embroidery basket for several months.

 

It is a fantastic pattern by an independent designer. The directions are easy to follow, but if you decide to tackle it, be sure to have a Brazilian embroidery stitch reference with you. The stitches aren't hard, but there is no stitch instruction.

 

I didn't know when I started, but this lovely project is a study in cast ons and drizzles. The designer is very clever in using these stitches in unexpected ways and with unexpected effect. She makes it possible, for example, for vines to snake in, out and through fence posts. It is a 3-D effect that is wonderfully realistic.

 

The design utilizes cast ons, double cast ons, and several types of drizzles. It is eye opening how tiny variations change how these stitches work up. For example, just one little change makes the drizzle vines round in cross section rather than ribbon like. It is a lovely effect. Even the little roses are a cast on variation--something that really surprised me. And isn't the Victorian gingerbread on the birdhouse a cute way to use regular cast ons?

 

I'm really enjoying this project and have been learning a lot. But at long last, I'm back in Boston and taking up my WELCOME again. So this project gets set aside for now, and I'll update you on the WELCOME in a couple of weeks.

 

 

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