My Beautiful Butterfly...

Brynwood Needleworks - My Completed Royal School of Needlework Class Butterfly

 

I completed my Red Spotted Purple stumpwork butterfly RSN project yesterday. I'm in love with it! I think my tutor's teaching skills are evident in the finished product. Owen was a superb teacher, and the workbook he put together for each of our class members (plus the videos I shot during class) made it possible for me to recollect the steps necessary to properly finish it.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - My Red Spotted Purple Stumpwork Butterfly

 

I shared photos with my sister yesterday, who responded that she thought it was awesome, and added "Now, I imagine that you'll hold it in your hand outside, blow a breath into it, and it will flutter away." I think it was probably the nicest compliment anyone could have given me.

 

I sent these photos off to Owen, and look forward to his reaction. I took his class in July 2018, and I'm thrilled that I finally got it done. I hope he thinks I represent him well. Now to find that perfect cloche!

 

Last Day Of School...

RSN Tutor, Owen Davies With Second Week Students

 

Yesterday was our final class session. We received our last day of instruction from our tutor, shared meals with new friends, and took lots of pictures. I even came away with two, new "adopted" daughters, Pauline and Sarah (both to the immediate right of me in the photo)!

 

Autographs From RSN Summer School

We exchanged autographs like high school kids, and have already made plans to get together again somewhere next year. Our butterflies will be completed at home, and then shared on social media...and we'll start new projects to share, too.

 

Memories and new friends were made this past week, and we'll hold them in our hearts and heads for a long time to come. We were the first to attend a summer school sponsored and taught by the tutors of The Royal School of Needlework. We can't wait to gather again for the next one.

 

My Final Class Day In Lexington...

My RSN Tote Entry

 

It's 2:30 am on Friday as I write this. I just finished stitching out my design for my RSN tote entry. It's not my best work, but I'm happy with how it turned out. I see a few wonky US flag stripes, but I'm calling this done. I can amend it at home, but I'm not going to while I'm here.

We're still stitching on our butterfly parts, and will see how the assembly is done in class. I'll likely finish my mockup at home, and then do the assembly on my practice pieces. Then, I'll stitch out my "real" one in silks...in my comfy chair at home.

I know you'll understand my keeping this post short. I have to be up again at 7:30 so I can get ready to be at the school by 9. I'll be back with tomorrow's post before I pack up to drive back to Wisconsin. Happy Weekend!!

Burning The Midnight Oil...

The Work Table In My Hotel Room

 

I haven't made it to bed before 1 am since I got to Lexington. Each day, I'm up early, shower, gather my things, and then drive to the school to arrive well before my class starts. Last night was no exception.

I have a great Daylight™ LED lamp clamped to the desk, and my supplies and tools are set up for marathon stitching. I'm working to absorb every single second of my stay here, while accomplishing my assignment (my butterfly), as well as an added piece that's part of the RSN Friday night challenge. (I only started it last night.)

I'm not going to show it to you until after it's shown on Friday night, but I will be back tomorrow to show you how my butterfly is coming. I'm heading over to the school early today to finish stitching my name onto the tablecloth. My tutor, Owen was actually stitching away yesterday morning, and as the tutors are all stitching their names in the center of the cloth, I couldn't access my spot without wrestling him - and it was too early in the day for that! lol - so, I'll try again today. 

 

I have a lot of stitching scheduled for today, and a banquet this evening. Its going to make for another long, fun day!

Day Two - RSN Class...

Brynwood Needleworks - Day Two "Butterfly" Class

 

I wish you could be in Lexington, Kentucky with me this week. I'm learning so much, thoroughly enjoying my focused needlework project, learning about the incredible needlework collections at the Royal School of Needlework, and meeting new friends (who are fellow classmates or tutors) each day. 

 

Lexington is a beautiful city, by the way, and I've enjoyed dinners in a few of the local restaurants, as well as visiting a local needlework shop.

To update you about the class I'm taking, yesterday we worked on the preparation for stitching the butterfly wings. In the two photos at the bottom of this mosaic, I'm showing you how we set up the wire to to be able to cover the length with buttonhole stitches. 

 

These wires were 7" long for the bottom wing sections, and the top wires were 8" long (four total wires). I don't even know how many (3-strand floss) buttonholes are assembled to cover each of the four wires. I can tell you that the process has a rhythmic, zen quality about it, making it very relaxing.

One thing that's extremely helpful is that Owen (our tutor) is stitching the piece right along with us. When he's finished explaining technique, reasons for doing things a specific way, and also teaching us some tips to help us work toward the RSN standard of excellence, he then is able to actually show us the steps put into practice.

After dinner last night, three of us were walking back to the Sayre School for our evening lecture, when I noticed a butterfly flying toward us. The blue color caught my attention. One of our group lives in Lexington, and he smiled. He told me, "Yes. That's the butterfly you're stitching in class." Owen designed a Kentucky butterfly species for our class (the Red Spotted Purple), and I actually saw one of the living, breathing beauties! I know Owen will be jealous when I tell him in class today.

All the students from this week's session were asked to sign their names on a table cloth that's set up in one of the work rooms. After signing, we're then asked to stitch out our signatures. The tablecloth will be displayed and then become a part of the permanent collection in Hampton Court Palace to commemorate the first ever US summer school! Isn't that cool? I signed the cloth yesterday, and will finish stitching it out today. I'll take a photo to share with you later this week, after others have had a chance to add their names, too. 

We should finish our practice butterfly today, and then we'll start working on the "good" one. I'll show you updates tomorrow - and the rest of this week, too! Fun times!!

I'm Going To Summer School...

Royal School Of Needlework Image

 I can finally tell you about my HUGE news!

I'm going to be attending a five-day needlework course with the Royal School of Needlework!

These courses are usually taught at their school, located in Hampton Court Palace in England, but they also teach them at satellite schools in other locations, including the United States. I managed to get my name in before the class I wanted was filled, so I'll be attending their first-ever summer school in Lexington, Kentucky in July at the prestigious Sayre School.

Class Description

I'm registered to take this advanced embroidery class over the entire five days, and I can't wait. The raised work (including Stumpwork) is a technique I've longed to learn, so it really is a dream come true on so many levels.

My Tutor

This is the biography of my tutor (from the RSN website). I'm so looking forward to learning from one of the masters of needlework from the school. Our class sizes are limited as well. There will only be eleven other students in my group, so there will be plenty of time for individual instruction.

It's going to be an incredible experience, and although this particular course will not earn a diploma or certificate, I'll still walk away with a new learned technique. And, who knows...maybe somewhere down the line, I'll be able to take one of the certification courses. A girl can dream, right?

For now, I'm completely over the moon that I've managed to get into the course, and be part of this first-ever RSN Summer School Program. I haven't gone to summer school since taking elective courses as a kid. Now, almost 50 years later, I'm heading back to school...and it's going to be grand. Not only that, but I promise to take you with me! I'll be posting as much as I'm able while I'm in Lexington.

Until then, I'm going to make my plans (and perhaps a new project carrier to go with me), and when I can sleep (because I'm so darned excited!), I'll dream about this new adventure. I just couldn't wait one more day to tell you!