Works in progress

I've had a very busy week so far. On Monday we had a Project meeting at our Embroiderers Guild branch to move forward with the 17th century embroidery project we're working on. I have already done my slip for the large tree of life which will be the central piece in the exhibition (if we ever find a venue for it), a couple of pieces of lace and a blackwork tree of life of my own. All of these I believe I've shown you in the past. I'm now working on a hexagonal casket which will have pieces of lace worked for each section of the raised lid. At least, in my head that's what is going to happen. We'll just have to wait and see if I manage to make it look good enough to show to others.

I've also been working on a second kit which my wonderful son gave me as a Christmas gift. This is another Jane Greenoff book, but this time only the front cover is worked in embroidery.

It's really quite tiny but there's a surprising amount of stitching involved and, this time I've really quite enjoyed doing the hardanger section. There is still a border of couched gold thread and then two rows of pulled thread work to go around the edges yet but this little beauty should be completed by the end of the week I think.

Two years ago I went on my holiday of a lifetime to Russia (some of you may remember) and ever since I've been promising myself that I would do some embroideries based on what I saw there. It's taken me quite a while to get started, though designs have been brewing in my head and in my sketchbook for some time. Anyhow, the first piece is now in progress.

A little goldwork icon. When it's completed you won't be able to see any of the yellow felt. That's just there as padding to raise up all the gold wire chippings and beads. The red hands and face will remain, however. We saw many icon frames in the Armouries inside the Kremlin walls and all the paintings had been removed, leaving just the frames worked in precious metals and jewels, so that's why this piece is the way it is.

 I've also been working on my 48th scale cottage stores. There's now a bed upstairs, which just fits in the alcove to the side of the boxed in stairs. The shop has a counter and some shelving, both of which hold items for sale. There's a stepladder and pot of paint in the section to the side, and, if you look really closely, you might be able to see that there's even a paintbrush in the paint pot.

  

There are baskets of fruit and vegetables and some other items on the windowsill.

And I've also made three little hats to go in my Etsy shop - all ready for that spring sunshine, which I know is just around the corner.

Finally ... Willow's birthday portrait ...

Four today. He looks quite cross about me taking his photograph doesn't he? But at least he stayed still for me.

More work on the Cottage stores

I've been working on my little Cottage Stores building again today and have just a few more pictures to show you.

This picture shows the front of the building with its windows in place and the rough coating on the walls. The front of the building is glued to the pavement section and decorating that will be tomorrow's job I think.
That shop window is really beautiful and just begging to be filled with all kinds of delights. I just need to decide what ... yes, still no final decision made and I think it's because I'm not really sure what I am able to make in this scale. A decision will have to be made soon!

Here you can see the inside, complete with the partition walls in place and the doors which lead to the 'staircase' up to the room above the shop. There are decisions to be made here too. Will it be living quarters for the shop owner, or will it be an office where he does his paperwork, or a store-room for additional stock? You can just see, if you look closely, the floorboards marked out with a fine-tipped pen. The walls of the upstairs room are actually painted a pale blue colour though that certainly isn't clear here.

And finally, here is the view of the end wall.