Buggers!...

I had PT this morning and needed it in a big way. I woke up in pain, so I finally took an anti-inflammatory and Handsome drove me to my appointment. I'm feeling much better, but that my excuse for this late post - and I'm sticking with it.

I'm sharing a photo of how I decided to preserve and protect my goldwork birds. Handsome purchased this shadowbox frame ages ago for another purpose, but I came across it still unused, so I appropriated it. 

I attached dark-colored, round-head pins and then hung the birds from those. I used similar pins to secure the bottom of each ornament to keep them from twisting. I'm quite chuffed with how it turned out, and the frame now hangs in the hall outside my studio where I can see it every day.

This afternoon is another classmate dinner, but I didn't want to leave again without writing today's post. I'll be on time tomorrow, for sure! See you then.

 

Mockingbird Ornament...

My mockingbird ornament is complete! Rather than add a tassel or nest under this bird, I added three silver beads to weight the bottom of the ornament. 

Now, my new mockingbird hangs next to the blue tit ornament from my first bird class with Clara Warschauer. I think her next bird may be a blue jay, but I'm thinking about a different one that I may tackle yet this summer. I'll draw up a few ideas while I mull it over.

If you're on Instagram, you can click HERE to go to my Brynwood Needleworks page and see the video I shot showing my hummingbird among the hollyhocks. A little bee even stopped to say hello. 

On to the next thing. Your guess is as good as mine right now. I'll be sitting down to peruse my choices.  We'll see together soon.

Time For Me To Fly...

 

 

This is my completed goldwork Blue Tit from Clara's workshop.  I shared a short video on Instagram, so if you'd like to see it closeup - and also see the back - just click HERE. I've hung this in my studio for now with my cardinal and robin wall quilts. (Which reminds me, I should start work on the bluebirds soon.)

I hoped you liked following along as I created this piece. I'll be working on the red roses strawberry sachet today. Handsome has to have a procedure done, so I'll stitch while I wait. I'll show you how far I get with that piece tomorrow. Have a great day!

Red Roses...

 

Not one who enjoys idle hands, I started a new sachet last night. This one will use the colors shown on the project. Red and yellow roses will be the centerpiece of this strawberry, and it will be a small gift.

Today is Craft Day, so I'll be driving to Portage this morning. It's my turn to lead our group so I've chosen something quick and fun. I'll share it with you on Monday.  

I need to be on the road for home by about 11:30 to be back in time for my final goldwork session for the "Blue Tit Workshop" this afternoon. It's going to be a whirlwind day and I'm looking forward to every second of it.

 

Have a great weekend, dearies. I've got to run. I don't want to be late!

 

 

 

Goldwork Progress...

I completed all the goldwork on my class project on Tuesday, so I'm ready for the next and last class session on Saturday. Part of this assignment was to make the legs and feet, so I've finished them, too.

I forwarded this photograph to my teacher, Clara and she said it looks great, so I'm happy. One of the wonderful things about taking these classes is learning the new techniques and becoming comfortable with a new skill. I'm already looking forward to incorporating some of them into designs of my own.

Saturday will be my last session on this project. I have a nest with eggs to yet create, and then we'll be receiving finishing instructions to create the ornament. I can't wait to share the completed project with you next week!

 

Embroidery Progress...

 

 

Whew! This part was harder than it looked. I did the goldwork on the belly of my wee bird yesterday. The class was great, and really, Clara made this part look almost effortless. Have I got a lot more practice to perfect this technique!

 

One thing I learned is that it's easier to see the thread against the gold if I'm not in bright light. I found shading my work with my hand helped me find the previous threads so that I could create the brick pattern required when couching down the vintage Japanese gold and gilt twist threads. Apparently, my new magnifier "glasses" weren't much help in my quest for stitch perfection. I'm not sharing a closeup because it shows all my wonky "less than perfect" stitches. I'll just remind myself that this is my first attempt at that technique, and I'll get better with practice.

The next step is to create the feathers on the upper wing, which I'll begin this week. First, I have to go around the inside of the wing with a green purl, and then the feathers will be created using small flat sequins. This part is going to be fun!

I'll share more when I finish the wing. After that, I'll make the separate feet for my little bird. Then I'll be ready for the final class next Saturday! Tag will see you tomorrow, and I'll be back Wednesday. We'll see how much I can accomplish between now and then.

Aspirations...

 

I shared my progress on my class project on Monday. I thought I'd share a photo of Clara's Bird (the nest was still in progress in this image).

You'll notice that my bird head is slightly different from hers. My bird's cheek is a bit smaller, and the crown and neck "feathers" flow in different directions than shown here. It's one of the wonderful things about needlework, in that we can always make adjustments to make it "ours".

I spent the day following up on insurance claims for our dear Bella, along with transcribing my needlework class notes. I'm going to get back to working on two goldwork hearts I set up a few weeks ago, and then I'm going to finally get to the Tudor Rose goldwork project from one of Clara's previous classes (ugh. I've never even started it.) When I was at the Primitive Gatherings "Purge and Splurge" event, I purchased a beautiful oak Sudberry lidded box. Would you believe it only cost me fifteen dollars? It's roughly 8" square and 2" tall. I'll show it to you soon. My intent is to mount the Tudor Rose on the lid once it's completed.

I admit, I have so many goldwork projects in mind now, that I may just stitch all summer. Won't that be wonderful? My projects will sparkle all winter! Just a little something to aspire to, and I hope you'll join me on my stitching journey. 

 

Little Bird...

 

I started another goldwork class last Saturday with Clara at Clara Stitching. This one is called "Blue Tit Goldwork". The first (of three) session was to begin the basic setup and then do the stitching on the head. I've learned to take notes and watch the process rather than try to stitch along with Clara during the Zoom classes. That way I don't miss any of her steps.

 

 

So, yesterday I sat down late morning and began to make my own little bird. I began by tracing the design onto my ground fabric, followed by cutting out all of the padding pieces. I then stitched them down, filling with padding as called for.

Once that was done, I set about doing the goldwork on the head. I completed this after midnight, having only stopped for tea, potty breaks, and dinner. I just couldn't set it aside until it was finished, although I admit I almost packed it in a few times trying to thread my #12 sharp needle. I could barely see the eye on that darn needle - even with my lighted magnifier! Each time, I reminded myself to lightly wax the thread, take a deep breath - and miraculously the thread went into the eye so I could continue stitching.

Now, I'll work on something else as I wait for Session Two next Saturday. This one is going to be a fun project and a different finishing technique. I can't wait to share more!

 

PS. This blog title is a song from Don Quixote (Man from La Mancha). lol