I can’t quite believe it’s time for another happy dance!!! I have been working on this embroidery since last September, a long time for me! Hope you’re sitting comfortably with a cup of tea, as there is a link to a photo book too!
So, three weeks ago my embroidery looked like this…
The final panel includes daffodils, lavender and violas, some of my favourite flowers! First to be stitched was the daffodils. In the book Di has embroidered very blousy, almost plump daffs in a creamy colour, I like yellow daffodils, so I dyed some silk ribbon, perhaps a little too yellow but it will suffice! The trumpet was meant to be in organza with a frilly embroidered edge, I had a look on the internet and found some instructions using silk ribbon for the trumpet with tiny ribbon stitches in a deeper orange for the frill. Whilst it’s not my favourite flower I’m fairly happy with it. The outer petals are stitched with basic ribbon stitch, rather than lazy-daisy. The trumpet was made with several ribbon stitches. I learnt a new technique too, by forming the stitch over the shaft of a second needle, you get a nice flat end to your stitch.
The lavender flowers were made with tiny stitches in silk ribbon on stems of perle thread. The stems are in stem-stitch and the leaves are single lazy-daisies.
Last but not least are the pretty little violas. These were stitched with silk ribbon with a touch of embroidery on the cream petals and a single bead in the centre. A few leaves and a little embroidery for the earth and my final diamond was finished.
Not quite time for happy dance though…
All the lattice framework is edged with two couched threads, first in a soft grey and brown thread and finally in a very fine silver thread. The silver thread is made by Anchor and it is lovely to sew with (unusually for metallic threads in my experience!) It may not look much but it took me a solid day stitching at my Embroiderers Guild meeting and a bit more in the evening.
The last few stitches were to embroider my initials and the date…and it’s finished!!
I was straight down to the picture framers in Otley to get it framed, it’s been triple mounted (with spacers in between as well) in a simple oak frame with a deep revere to give the glass enough distance from the embroidery. I also gave the framers a piece of batting for underneath as I thought it may help with all the wires in the back. Many embroiderers have stumpwork mounted without glass, but having two dogs and a woodburning stove, our house is too dusty to even consider it!
I still can’t quite believe I’ve actually finished it, or even that I’ve managed to embroider it. As they say here in Yorkshire, I’m well chuffed with it 🙂 I’ve dabbled in silk ribbon embroidery over the last couple of years, but I’d not tried stumpwork before this. It’s been interesting as I found I really enjoyed the stumpwork embroidery, probably more so than the silk ribbon, though silk ribbon has the advantage that you get good results pretty quickly!
Thank you for all the encouragement over the last few months. I have to say that if it wasn’t for the stitch-a-long every three weeks this would have ended up being a UFO. It was so way out of my experience or comfort zone that I would have given up, or procrastinated for so long that the effect was the same. As my mother used to say when we were little, “There’s no such thing as I can’t!”
I think it was Anne who suggested making a photobook of the whole project, I was on photobox making a book of our last walk and I decided to have a play to see how it worked. I really like it, so as soon as they have an offer on I’ll order myself a copy. I’ve made it public on the photobox site so if anyone would like to see the earlier posts all in one book or just see how a photobook of a project can work, please follow the link.
Why not have a look what everyone else is stitching in the stitch-a-long, just follow the links to see some stunning projects;
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina,
Kathy, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Catherine, Mary Margaret, Timothy,
Everyone is in different time scales, so if there isn’t a post when you first look, check later in the day. If you fancy joining us for the SAL, just send a message to Avis.
thecraftycreek 
oh it’s wonderful to see this finished and already on the wall! And your photobook idea is a brilliant idea too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Claire 🙂
LikeLike
I can’t believe it’s done already! As my Hebden Bridge friend says “I’ll go to t’foot of our stairs!”. Beautiful work, and I’m really sorry there’ll be no more flower instalments…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kate, it’s all suddenly come together! I’m doing your cross-stitch next and then I’ve another 3 bigger projects lined up 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, thank you! I can’t believe I already have half the ST&D blocks in already.
LikeLike
How wonderful! Amazing work and the stitching on the frame really sets it off! Stunning. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow – that is a very beautiful piece of work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Congratulations! Something to be very proud of. Your simple framing of it really makes the most of your embroidery too. I’m actually going to be sad not seeing this piece each time, I’ve really enjoyed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Catherine, I’m really pleased with the framing, they always do a good job at Artworks.It’s going to seem funny not to be posting about it after all this time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh so pretty! Great idea to frame it, so it doesn’t collect dust.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! That is beautiful, I’m glad you didn’t give up on it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is such a wonderful piece of needle art, congratulations!! I forget, what size is it? I was thinking it was pretty large, but now I’m not so sure! So happy for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kathy, the actual embroidered panel is about 10″ x 14″, so a reasonable size.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s amazing. I’m so pleased you managed to finish it. I always put needlework projects behind glass because needlework is more important than housework. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Avis, have to admit that housework does come pretty low on my priority list!
LikeLike
Yay! Happy dance! Congrats, it looks great all framed up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow congrats on the happy dance! It looks amazing. Great job getting it framed up and on the wall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love that shot of snoopy’s happy dance, lol! Congrats on the finish! You did an amazing job and it turned out beautifully! The framing is perfect and it sounds like they did a great job framing embroidery work. I agree, keeping the glass in to preserve the work is no question! What will you do next?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Christina, I’m doing a cross-stitch centre for Kate Chiconi’s quilt next which I don’t think will take long, then I’ve three projects lined up from an Inspirations magasine!
LikeLike
Nice! Can’t wait to see them 😁
LikeLike
Well done great finish, it looks amazing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on a wonderful finish. it is so beautiful. Can’t wait to see what you work on next.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a fantastic piece of art! I’m glad it has a place of honor on your wall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been blown away each post to see the awesome, detailed work you were doing to create this beauty. The fine couching of the borders sets each diamond off a treat. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Holy cow! It’s done??!!! My goodness, whatever will you follow up with after this? (Or maybe I don’t want to know!) It’s gorgeous in the photos, I bet it’s spectacular in person. Any plans for entering it in an exhibit or show? I’m right there with you in terms of not having tackled a piece like this without the accountability afforded by the group. Even then I’m not sure I would have undertaken such an ambitious project. Well done you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on a successful and beautiful outcome. It’s looks wonderful in it’s simple frame.
I have had the book and pattern for some years but not attempted the work. Your work is inspiring and maybe sometime next year I may tackle the project.
Your daffs are really great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your embroidery is stunning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your work is just stunning! My grandmother had me embroidering pillowcases when I was young…with just simple simple stitches, and that is all that I ever learned. I have a piece from her that I bring out in the fall of acorns and fall leaves where she had fancy stitching and french knots, etc. and I treasure it. Your work and project just leaves me in awe 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I only knew the basic stitches until a couple of years ago, I thought I couldn’t do ‘proper embroidery’!
LikeLike
Beautiful work! And the framing is perfect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic! For sure… “NO such thing as I can’t!” Beautiful hand work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your stitching is breathtaking, just amazing! I found myself staring a couple of the images with my jaw dropped 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations having finish such a beautiful embroidery!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is gorgeous! Totally worth the time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so going to miss this Margaret. I have really enjoyed sharing each step of your journey. The finished and framed piece is nothing less than stunning. I definitely would have chosen glass to cover this too, it maybe nice left open but think of all those who would just want to touch, apart from the fact that even the cleanest of houses gathers dust. Why put all that work in and leave it to the elements. I look forward to seeing your next challenge, although I am sure it will not begin to compete with this one.
Helen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Helen, it’s been quite a journey 🙂
LikeLike
*AWESOME*!!
That was a LOT of WORK! GORGEOUSLY Done!!
Kudos!
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely stunning! Fantastic! I llllllllove it, my friend!!!!!!
LikeLike
Thanks Mia 🙂
LikeLike
What a fabulous project. You should be very proud it is stunning:-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wahay, well done, what a massive success and huge achievement – it’s stunning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely stunning! Congratulations on a gorgeous finish!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is just beautiful, what a work of art.
LikeLike