One needlebook cover embroidered.

[liadethornegge]

I think I got a little wrapped up in the stitching, as I now realize it's one a.m. Still, I had to upload the photos and show off my finished embroidery. Compared to the last picture you might see that I did go back to fill in green in the background all over. The back now looks horrible with threads criss-crossing all over it, but it won't show anywhere once I stick it onto some board (cardboard, or other haven't decided yet). I'm not entirely happy with how I stitched the flowers. and none of them are stitched the same way!

Anyway, on the left-hand side in the image we have the knotwork in gold, and two seeblatter in gold. This will be the back of my needlebook. On the right side, the front after it's made up, we have the four stylized elizabethan flowers and in the centre my initials (LT) as I sign it on all my scrolls (hidden somewhere usually).

I'm quite happy with the rose and the heart's ease (I think that's what it was anyway - the left-most pair of flowers) but less happy with the two flowers on the right, in terms of shapes and colours. I mean just look at the red petals on the lower right one; looks like one got torn off and is flopping over the orange bit. Also the shade of green in the leaves of the Tudor rose and heart's ease was a bit light, but it was the one strand of green embroidery floss that was already separated out and ready to use in my bag of threads. I didn't want to pull out and create more loose threads of another colour.

All in all, I've learned loads doing this, and the next one will be even prettier. Now, I'm looking forward to making this up into a useable item and expect I'll make a mess of that too before I'm finished :)

Comments

[mc-cadieux.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, well done!

It looks beautiful :)

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Did you see my red hood? It really is a twin of yours :P

[mc-cadieux.livejournal.com]

Yes I saw, but I hadn't had the time to comment much around here lately :D

It looks very lovely dear and it truly suits you :)

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Perfectly understandable. I was only looking for validation from my inspiration.

and it truly suits you

Thank you for saying so. I'm always nervous when it comes to putting red right next to my face, but I do like this one.

[florentinescot.livejournal.com]

pretty. What is the background stitched in?

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Thanks. The background is done using brick stitch (http://www.threadneedlestreet.com/Brick_Stitch.html). All the threads are DMC cotton (not sure which you meant so you get both pieces of information)

[florentinescot.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Brick Stitch was what I didn't know. Didn't recognize the stitch! I've used DMC for everything to date. I rather like it. I've got some Splendor Silk, but I've not used it yet.

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

By rights I should be using silk. But I don't know a local outlet, and I'd rather not spend too much on experimental projects. I already had the DMC floss in my stash. I've got loads, in fact.

[florentinescot.livejournal.com]

LOL Your stash sounds like my stash! I think I have one skein of every color that DMC makes ..... (and random Coats & Clarks and maybe even some Anchor!) *giggle* I need to make some photos for icons ...

I bought the silk and some linen for some competition pieces.

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

I'm not big on competitions. I'll bring stuff for display, but I don't know if I'd enjoy the experience of entering an A&S competition.

It seems such an odd way to go about judging crafts like that, comparing five different items in five different categories/techniques and then saying one is better than the other.

I won't say too much about it, though, since I haven't attempted it myself as yet. I'm sure I will at some point, and then I will know for sure if it is for me or not.

[florentinescot.livejournal.com]

I've never competed either. I know what judges in my kingdom can do.

On the other hand, I'm fixing to defend a dissertation, I don't think that A&S judges can be anywhere as difficult! LOL

I've also been offered an apprentice belt, and I know that this is something that will be expected of me at that point.

[myralea.livejournal.com]

pretty, i'm impressed.
you are so good with actually finishing things :)

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Thank you! As for finishing - well, these little craft projects I'm alright about finishing. I do have loads more other little started projects too. I just haven't posted about them :)

[florentinescot.livejournal.com]

LOL. That's me -- sortof. I'm good at finishing The Embroidery Itself. I just don't know what to do with the stuff when I'm done! It's like -- ooh, pretty! I'm going to stitch that.

ok. it's stitched. now what do I do with it?

[beths-dress.livejournal.com]

oh really pretty! i look forward to seeing how you make it up. seems like such a useful accessory!

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Hee. Yep, useful accessories are the best kind!

[(Anonymous)]

very beautiful :)
YIS
Racaire

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Praise from the embroideress par excellence - Yay! Thank you :)

[(Anonymous)]

Embroideress par excellence? No - I am only a Klosterstich and Refilsaum geek, perfectionist and crazy nut ;) and you are a really awesome artist because of your variety (calligraphy, embroidery,..) :D

btw - thank you for the photos of your new red hood (I love it and would like to make myself such a nice hood :D)

Best regards
Racaire

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the nice compliments. But, you do illumination and calligraphy too! And your embroidery is gorgeous and always well researched.

The hood really is simple. You see the shape I cut out of the wool - it really is as easy as that. It took me a total of two hours to complete I think.