This site is dedicated to my grandmother, who ran away from her Norwegian home in 1915 and arrived in England with nothing but a trunk full of books.
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Saturday, 17 November 2012
Saturday Stitchery!
This week's Saturday Snapshot is a kind of follow-up on Alyce's photos of peacocks last week, because they reminded me that I once did a little peacock embroidery, using blue and green shiny threads, and beads, and a variety of stitches, including eyelet stitch, straight stitch, Rhodes stitch and herringbone. I bought the design and instructions at an embroidery exhibition some years back, and it sat around for a while until I got round to doing it, and it's not all that big - about five inches across. It may not be as spectacular as the real bird, but I had great fun creating my little peacock, because I love messing around with different stitches and threads. Anyway, I hunted it out and took a picture.
And, since Christmas is on the way, I also took photos of some of the seasonal embroideries I have stitched over the years. I never seem to have enough money to have my work framed, so I have dozens of embroideries stashed away in a big plastic box, which is not really the best way to store them, because they get horribly creased, and it seems such a shame not to have them on display. Perhaps I could have a go at framing them myself, but I've always been worried about wrecking them. The photographs haven't really come out all that well. I think a different camera setting may have helped, or scanning might have produced better results.
As you can see, I enjoy stitching samplers - I've completed several for other seasons of the year, and a few traditional 'house' designs, and a lot of Noah's Arks (I like Noah, although it's Mrs Noah I always feel sorry for when I think of all the feeding she must have done, and the cleaning and grooming, and mucking out, and trying to keep the peace between all those creatures).
This Christmas Angel is not my usual style at all. I saw it in a magazine, and it looked so pretty I thought I would have a go, but it drove me demented working on it, and I'm still not happy with it, and I really can't work out why. It's like a book that you don't like, but you can't pinpoint why you don't like it.
For more Saturday Snapshots see Alice's blog at For more Saturday Snapshots see Alice's blog at http://athomewithbooks.net/
I admire your work! I'm not at all creative at needlepoint or cross-stitching. I used to do a little embroidery....I hope you can frame them. They would look gorgeous up on the walls. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog. Glad you enjoyed my photos and understand that each thing tells a story.
These ones are from charts that other people have designed, but I do design bits and pieces when I'm in the mood. I find embroidery very therapeutic, and I can remember where I was, and what was happening in my life when I look them.
I admire your skill and patience in doing all these. They're wonderful, esp. with Christmas in a bit over a month's time. I find it amusing that you have empathy for Mrs. Noah. The first time I hear somebody thinks of her. ;) I don't have a snapshot this time because of the Anna K. read-along wrap up. Maybe next week.
I'm not really a very patient person, and I get very stressed out about things, but I find needlework and crochet very calming. I'm just popping over to see your thoughts on Tolstoy.
You have skill, creativity and patience, and the results are lovely. Thank you for sharing--this may inspire me to get out my "stained glass" poppy crewel project after I finish my holiday knitting.
Oh, do finish it and post a picture - I'd love to see it. My mother used to a lot of crewel work, and I think it's beautiful, but much more difficult than anything I do.
The peacock is gorgeous. I'm a cross-stitcher too so I appreciate how much time and effort has gone into creating these lovely pieces. I've framed a few of mine over the years - you've inspired me to photograph them and perhaps share them one week :-)
Those are so beautiful and intricate! I'm very impressed! I have never been able to get into fancy stitching (and only do the non-fancy sort when absolutely necessary). :)
Alyce, I only do 'useless' embroidery and needlework - I'm no good at all with the useful variety that involves replacing buttons and mending hems. When my daughters were younger I used to repair their school uniforms with safety pins and Bondaweb!
It's the creative bit I love, the actual stitching. I think that (coupled with lack of cash) means I lack motivation you do anything with the finished pieces - I sit and look at them once in a while and think 'oh, I did that...' !
I'm going to try one myself, and maybe try and get one done properly... I'd like to put the Santas up ready for our two daughters and their boyfriends when they visit just after Christmas.
Many years ago we had a little independent embroidery/art shop, which was excellent, and the woman who ran it gave lots of advice, and knew a framer who used to collect things from her once a week, and he was good, but expensive. Now we have a big craft store out of the town centre, but it doesn't do framing.
I go through phases. Sometimes I do lots of embroidery - at the moment I'm crocheting blankets for the campervan, which is great on a cold day because I can work with a part completed blanket across my knees, and I'm all warm and snug.
When you start totting up the hours they do take a while, but stitching is such a pleasure time never seems to matter. What sort of things do you like doing?
Those are beautiful samplers! I used to do quite a bit of cross stitch, but I've had to put it away right now while my kids are little and need ALL my attention!
I'm afraid my daughters got used to me saying things like 'I'll just finish this little bit..' when I was stitching, or 'I'll just finish this chapter...' when I was reading. They used to watch me to check I stopped and didn't try to sneak extra stitches or pages! And I had to remember to hid the scissors, and try not to stick needles in the arm of the chair!
Nice pics. My mum does these. She did special ones for both of our children when they were born. I admire people who have the patience for doing them. Thanks for visiting my snapshot.
After my elder daughter was born my mother (who has much more patience than me) did me a beautiful tree of life, in crewel work. with all sorts of creatures on the branches. I'd love to be able to do something like that.
the peacock amazes me.. i do not have the patience or talent for cross stitching though i did try once years ago.. your post inspires me to try once again
Wow! I love the peacock! You sure do beautiful stitching. Thanks for sharing the photos. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you - I always look at it and think it could have been neater!
DeleteWhat fun to take pictures of all your stitching projects. Here's Mine
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there is a better way of doing the photos so it shows the detail more clearly - I just haven't figured out what it is yet!
DeleteI admire your work! I'm not at all creative at needlepoint or cross-stitching. I used to do a little embroidery....I hope you can frame them. They would look gorgeous up on the walls. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog. Glad you enjoyed my photos and understand that each thing tells a story.
ReplyDeleteThese ones are from charts that other people have designed, but I do design bits and pieces when I'm in the mood. I find embroidery very therapeutic, and I can remember where I was, and what was happening in my life when I look them.
DeleteBear With Me...Love your creations♫♪
ReplyDeleteThat is kind of yu to say so.
DeleteI admire your skill and patience in doing all these. They're wonderful, esp. with Christmas in a bit over a month's time. I find it amusing that you have empathy for Mrs. Noah. The first time I hear somebody thinks of her. ;) I don't have a snapshot this time because of the Anna K. read-along wrap up. Maybe next week.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really a very patient person, and I get very stressed out about things, but I find needlework and crochet very calming. I'm just popping over to see your thoughts on Tolstoy.
DeleteLovely work there, Christine! These should be framed. Hope you can do it someday.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll try doing one myself - I started collecting charity shop frames a while back, then got cold feet!
DeleteYou have skill, creativity and patience, and the results are lovely. Thank you for sharing--this may inspire me to get out my "stained glass" poppy crewel project after I finish my holiday knitting.
ReplyDeleteOh, do finish it and post a picture - I'd love to see it. My mother used to a lot of crewel work, and I think it's beautiful, but much more difficult than anything I do.
DeletePretty! Love the Santas.
ReplyDeleteThey are nice and cheerful aren't they? I always smile when I look at this.
DeleteThe peacock is gorgeous. I'm a cross-stitcher too so I appreciate how much time and effort has gone into creating these lovely pieces.
ReplyDeleteI've framed a few of mine over the years - you've inspired me to photograph them and perhaps share them one week :-)
It would be nice to see your work - please post some pictures.
DeleteThose are so beautiful and intricate! I'm very impressed! I have never been able to get into fancy stitching (and only do the non-fancy sort when absolutely necessary). :)
ReplyDeleteAlyce, I only do 'useless' embroidery and needlework - I'm no good at all with the useful variety that involves replacing buttons and mending hems. When my daughters were younger I used to repair their school uniforms with safety pins and Bondaweb!
DeleteThose are charming! I have a piece worked years ago which I've never got round to turning into a cushion, so you're not alone.
ReplyDeleteIt's the creative bit I love, the actual stitching. I think that (coupled with lack of cash) means I lack motivation you do anything with the finished pieces - I sit and look at them once in a while and think 'oh, I did that...' !
DeleteThese are beautiful. You must save up your pennies and find a way to frame them. Then you can hang them all over your house!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try one myself, and maybe try and get one done properly... I'd like to put the Santas up ready for our two daughters and their boyfriends when they visit just after Christmas.
DeleteYour stitchery is gorgeous! In the US, you can get things framed less expensively at craft stores - do you have options like that?
ReplyDeleteMany years ago we had a little independent embroidery/art shop, which was excellent, and the woman who ran it gave lots of advice, and knew a framer who used to collect things from her once a week, and he was good, but expensive. Now we have a big craft store out of the town centre, but it doesn't do framing.
DeleteThanks for dropping by and visiting!
ReplyDeleteI love samplers as well but haven't done one in a while.
I go through phases. Sometimes I do lots of embroidery - at the moment I'm crocheting blankets for the campervan, which is great on a cold day because I can work with a part completed blanket across my knees, and I'm all warm and snug.
DeleteI absolutely love them. I like to stitch too and can appreciate how much time you spent on each one of these!!!! Gorgeous creations!!
ReplyDeleteWhen you start totting up the hours they do take a while, but stitching is such a pleasure time never seems to matter. What sort of things do you like doing?
DeleteThose are beautiful samplers! I used to do quite a bit of cross stitch, but I've had to put it away right now while my kids are little and need ALL my attention!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid my daughters got used to me saying things like 'I'll just finish this little bit..' when I was stitching, or 'I'll just finish this chapter...' when I was reading. They used to watch me to check I stopped and didn't try to sneak extra stitches or pages! And I had to remember to hid the scissors, and try not to stick needles in the arm of the chair!
DeleteThose are so pretty! Never that the patience for anything that required a needle but I do appreciate the time and skill of others.
ReplyDeleteThank you Eugenia. I really am not all patient - I'm sure that's why I like embroidery and crafty stuff, because it calms me down!
DeleteNice pics. My mum does these. She did special ones for both of our children when they were born. I admire people who have the patience for doing them. Thanks for visiting my snapshot.
ReplyDeleteAfter my elder daughter was born my mother (who has much more patience than me) did me a beautiful tree of life, in crewel work. with all sorts of creatures on the branches. I'd love to be able to do something like that.
DeleteHow beautiful!!! You do wonderful work- I especially like the peacock and the winter days ones. It has been years since I did any cross stitch.
ReplyDeleteThe Winter Days was part of a seasonal series in a magazine. As soon I've finished my crochet blankets I shall start stitchng again!
DeleteHow pretty; love the peacock piece especially.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it!
Deletethe peacock amazes me.. i do not have the patience or talent for cross stitching though i did try once years ago.. your post inspires me to try once again
ReplyDeleteYou embroidered a wonderful collection. You have good eyes, creative hands and commendable patience.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy all your embroideries. I like the angel.