Meadow Bloom



It is finished! 


I did (almost) manage to finish last weekend and only needed a few very last stitches before I could block it today. Considering how much I struggled with this design to begin with, I am rather pleased with the finished piece. Especially the last flower above... mind you, looking at it here on the screen, I can see it needs just one last finishing touch - a row of white knots to complete the edge of the of calyx and to give it a bit of a lift ... then it is done.

I find blocking my crewelwork gives the best finish. I admit that it was a little scary the first few times I did it, but I don't think twice about it any more. I have a cork pin-up board that I have ruled a grid of lines onto. I cover this with a sheet of clear plastic. Then I pin the finished embroidery onto it, making sure it is straight and very taut. When you do this, always pin opposite sides from the centre outwards. Once it is in place, it is just a matter of wetting it completely with a sponge. After that, I press a towel down onto the work to soak up as much moisture as possible before I leave it to dry. It comes up beautiful and crisp, much, much better than you will ever get it with an iron.
All I have left to do now is to lace the embroidery onto card and pop it in a frame and it is done, ready for class display - well the 'easy' part is done, there is of cause still the instructions to write...


I usually try to be organised and take good notes while I stitch. I make a thread card of all the colours I use as well as record how much yarn I use, so that I can kit the project later. However, it is fare too easy to become absorbed in the stitching and when I begin to write, I usually discover I have left bits and pieces out here and there. I have tried to be particularly organised with my notes for this project because, even though I know I should write the instructions right away, I am unlikely to get the them done this side of Christmas and possibly not for a month or so. Partly because I am itching to get back to, and finish the Or Nue Daisy, but most importantly because my sister is coming to stay with us. It is ten years since we have spent time together and even longer since we have had Christmas together. I am so excited.........

Anna x

Comments

  1. It looks great, Anna. I smiled when you said that working on your blog post made you think of an improvement to the design. The same thing always happens to me too! I think blogging is a great design tool. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is indeed a great design tool. It always surprises me, almost like you see your own work from a completely new perspective - fabulous.

      Delete
  2. It's a beauty! I love the flowers and the three smaller leaves at the bottom are so cute.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you - the leaves were one of those unexpected things that sometimes happen when you just feel like placing a few stitches in the opposite direction to what you normally do :-)

      Delete
  3. Gorgeous design Anna - thanks for sharing the process with us. Hope you have a very happy Christmas with your family and sister and all the very best for the New Year. Trish

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Trish! I can't tell you how much I am counting the days. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas too. Take care, Anna

      Delete
  4. I love it!Especially all the Blue...I think Blue is my new favourite colour....(I think!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Colour is such a funny thing isn't it? It always amazes me how much a shade can change depending on what you put it next to.

      Delete
  5. Hi Anna! "Meadow Bloom" ...so lovely with a nice variety of creative stitches all beautifully embroidered. :-)
    Looking forward to the latest issue of Inspirations. I stop everything to read it cover to cover when it arrives in the mail.
    Thanks to you and the whole team for such inspirating and creative, colorful issues of "Inspirations" mag.
    Roxanne from Minnesota

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the nice comment Roxanne - if only there were more hours in the day to stitch.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts