The medieval mirror…
A couple of days before Christmas, I went to the framers to collect my stumpwork medieval mirror. I could barely remember what I chose as a frame although I recall I didn’t want any sort of mount on the assumption that the embroidery itself would form a border to the mirror which would rest in the very centre of the stitching.
Before the embroidery left for the framers, I decided to take some photos, one in particular, to show the three dimensional nature of this seventeenth century art. 
I gave myself a year to complete it but managed it in six months. Summer has never really been a very good time for me to embroider – the long days, the sun, the outdoors life; so it was fortuitously finished just in time.
The medieval mirror finished.
The next piece is a toadstool piece… it won’t take all that long and although I have begun it, it will be spaced out over autumn and winter. No more embroidery now until summer winds down!
Glorious, Prue! I think I really must take up stumpwork – it must be so satisfying. Any advice on where to start? Ann xxx
Ann, Jane Nicholas is coming to the UK in 2012 to conduct stumpwork classes exclusively in historic homes through Scotland and England. Google her website, the detail may be there. She is by far the world’s best instructor, considered a master throughout the world.
It is gloriously satisfying and i can’t imagine what I shall do as my eyesight fails.
Thanks, Prue! I’ll check this out. There are two castles in Broughty Ferry and two in Dundee, but the nearest ‘historic homes’ are in Fife and Perthshire, I suppose, and the House of Dun north of here. If she doesn’t come anywhere within range, are there are books on the subject that you can recommend?
That is utterly delicious! The sort of thing you can sit and look at for hours and always find some new delight. I can’t decide which bit I like best – the berries, the flowers, the magnificent dragonfly… But the little hedgehog has stolen my heart.
I think the peas are my favourites, Giselle. But you are right about looking and finding more and more. Like reading a favourite novel again and again!
Just beautiful! I love all the details–one could spend hours poring over the embroidery and never once glance in the mirror 🙂
Rowenna, you’re so right. The mirror is secondary. I never use it but constantly look at bits of the embroidery!
That is absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you Judiang!
Wow!
Thanks Servetus!!!!
Giselle’s right – the hedgehog has stolen my heart away, too. It’s amazing you got it finished in six months! And I think the framing’s just right. Congratulations Prue! and good luck on the mushrooms – those oak leaves look tedious.
Pat, Jan Kerton’s technique for the oak-leaves is completely different and a much simpler technique than Jane Nicholas’s traditional method, so I don’t think it will be as hard as it looks. I was quite scared when I saw the picture but the instructions make it far less stressful!
That is so beautiful, thanks so much for sharing it with us!
Ooh, that mirror is beautiful!! Thanks for sharing your photos. I’ve got the pattern for that – I might just have to ‘bring it forward’ in the VERY long line of ‘things I will stitch’ so that I can have one too!
I love the beehive best, I think 🙂
Janet, it was wonderful to do… one of the most enjoyable things I have done. I’m quailing at the prospect of next master class with Jane Nicholas. It’s the life-cycle of a particular butterfly, done around the stem and blossom of what looks like Queen Anne’s Lace!