Another Goldwork Class...

 
I took another goldwork class from Clara Warschauer (@clarastitching) over the weekend. This class is the Immaculate Heart Goldwork workshop. The pieces above were all stitched by my teacher. l-r: Immaculate Heart (in progress), a Sacred Heart (red), Immaculate Heart brooch (completed), and another heart (likely another Immaculate Heart) in pink. These are the models she shared with our Zoom class as she taught her students how to create our own.

One of the fascinating parts of the class for this Methodist gal, was Clara explaining the three heart symbols in the Roman Catholic church. The one I'm working on is the Immaculate Heart, symbolizing Mary (Jesus' mother), and she explained what the various elements of that heart mean.

The second is the Sacred Heart (red above), symbolizing Jesus. The cross, standing for the crucifixion, and the crown of thorns (stitched as a chain stitch above). The third cross - The Most Chaste Heart - represents Joseph. His bears symbols of tools and lilies. I'm planning to stitch all three because they're all so beautiful, as is their symbolism. I'll also be making a second pink Immaculate Heart, as my sister told me how much she loved it when she saw it yesterday.

The class was held at 7 pm Greenwich Mean Time (in London), so that was 2 pm Central Standard Time for me. The sun was shining, so it was a perfect day to set up my supplies near a bright window, and learn this technique.

It's actually very much like the Lucky Clover Brooch class I first took from her, so as I watched and participated in our Zoom class, I began stitching. By the time class was adjourned, I'd managed to complete this much of the piece. While she included kit materials for framing this piece mounted on navy fabric and placed in an oval frame, my plan is to turn this one into a brooch as she did hers.

I would have completed it yesterday had my hands not acted up, but my little sister also came for a really nice visit. I have an appointment today with the specialist about my hand (specifically my right index finger knuckle), and I'm really hoping to have some answers (and relief) soon. Even so, I'm planning to complete this piece in the next day or so...and I'll definitely be making more.

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