Patterns of the Orient - Getting There

This morning I finished stitching the gold gingko leaves in the last major stitching area of Patterns of the Orient. 

I still have to apply the Grecian twist, wire bullion, purl perl and tidy up a few things, but the worst/best is over.

Patterns of the Orient Goes on Vacation

Just finished the tiedowns on the lower right quadrant that has gold and blue trellising on top of red silk.  Not as hard as I had expected.  However, there were many anxious moments when I wasn't sure there would be enough blue Soie Perlee for the tiedowns.  It all worked out, though, as there is about a yard left and there are no more areas in the piece that call for it.  Whew! Dodged a bullet there.



But, Patterns has to go on hold for a while as I want to work on this stocking for our grand-daughter.  Isn't it the cutest thing???  Santa will be very busy making those dolls, their house, the cradle
and tea set.  I wonder what's in the unopened boxes.

Patterns of the Orient

This piece gets more and more beautiful with each completed area.

I finished all but the goldwork touches on the upper lefthand border.  It's a very pretty pattern based on a vase pattern used on Chinese sleeve bands.

Now working on the lower righthand border, a pattern from a Korean blouse.  I'm on step 10 of the 12 step process!!!

Patterns of the Orient - Continued

Well, the leaves are done, even if they do look dorky.  Piercing congress cloth while doing ombre' shading is HARD!  I just have to stitch the veins, stems and background in this area.  YEAH!!!   It's the last area that was covered in the first two-day session.  Next weekend we'll learn how to do the rest.  I wonder what challenges face us then.

This piece gives meaning to the phrase "blood, sweat and tears."  I've sweat bullets doing the leaves and shed tears when I pricked my finger with a chenille needle and a drop of blood fell on a completed leaf.

Patterns of the Orient

This is a glorious, though challenging, piece from Tony Minieri.  It's a study in Chinese, Japanese and Korean textiles.  Each area represents a different pattern used in contemporary and ancient fabrics.  I think I'm enjoying it ... some days it's way over my head.

Almost Done!

IT'S DONE and off to the finisher! Whew! Still worried about the beard being too fluffy. But, Lila won't care ... Santa will be very generous this year, to be sure.

Stocking Update

Slowly but surely Lila's stocking is getting done...although mostly more slowly than surely.

I'm really happy with the ribbons at the top. Diagonal Victorian Step going in different directions is very effective to create a sense of movement.

Now working on Santa's sack. Tedious but worth the trouble. I'm not sure what the name of the stitch is...I think it's something like basketweave on top or linen.

Santa's mustache and beard are next.

Red Dress Event for Women's Heart Health

This piece, called "Heart-to-Heart," was designed and taught by Tony Minieri and Judy Souliotis to raise awareness and funding for Red Dress, a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease.

Done on black congress cloth using silks, Japan gold metals, and overdyed fibers, this was quite a challenge and I'm finished as far as I can go! There are supposed to be gold beads and Swarovski crystals in the open areas in the corners, but the crystals are still on back order.