Needle n’ thread…
The embroidered mirror frame continues to grow as A Thousand Glass Flowers wends its way across a reading population. 
This last couple of weeks, I’ve embroidered a couple of figs and an owl. Each segment was embroidered on a calico slip in a much smaller hoop, then cut out and attached to the main embroidery with little stab stitches and stuffed to give it dimension. The beads for eyes and seeds are added last.
My little owl decided to lean slightly sideways which I thought was apt as the stitcher (me) has a habit of occasionally leaning sideways. Life sometimes looks better from that angle. The raspberry stalks were stitched and the hedgehog had his eyes and nose added. It’s the little detail that begins to give the frame a life and idionsyncracy all it’s own.
I’m currently doing the little bees flying a round the hive and am still working on the twelve separate wired leaves that are required. And tonight I picked out the Au Ver A Soie silks for the heartsease flowers. There’s still a lot to do. Two more beetles, a flower in the top right arch, two heartsease in each of the bottom corners, applying the dragonfly wings and then finishing the body… lots and lots, but it grows every time I pick up a needle and takes me to the faraway places of the mind… meditation with each swoop of the needle.
That sweet little owl is trying not to believe that a giant bee is heading straight for him. But you can tell from his expression he’s not happy about it.
Well Lexi, I think he’s been on the turps, but there you go!
Oooooh, I luv embroidery. I remember buying, not cross stitch, but embroidery kits from Woolworths in the sixties. Do you remember Erica Wilson? I thought of her as the Embroidery queen. The embroidery above is just lovely.
Hallo Tea, I thought i didn’t know who Erica wilson was till i googled her and then some of her kits reminded me of times past. The original of the above design was created by a world famous needleworker, Jane Nicholas. Google http://www.janenicholas.com She’s not only the person who taught me stumpwork but I’m proud to say one of my closest friends.
Beautiful work.
Thank you, Stuart. It takes the pressure off life sometimes.
The litte owl is absolutely adorable. Athena’s wise owl, blessed with a touch of whimsy.
As always, I am in awe of the skill of your fingers, Prue. You have a whole little world there on your canvas.
Now I’m off to find my scrubbing brush 😉
It IS a whimsical piece, isn’t it Giselle? I did laugh when you said you were off to find your (floor) scrubbing brush. I wonder why????
That is gorgeous! I admire the skill in such intricate work.
Judiang, thank you. But you should see the end result from one of the ladies in our embroidery group. Mind-blowing. Not a stitch out of place, nor an owl leaning sideways and the back is as perfect as the front. Don’t you just envy people like that? Me? I’m a bit ‘laissez-faire’ with my work.
Doing tangerine cotoneaster berries at the moment.