Embroidery course contd.

The sun is out and it looks lovely in the garden, perhaps we can have our lunch outside. I have had a lovely Easter weekend. Saturday we dropped our son at Gatwick airport. He was off to Scotland for a geology field trip. We then decided, since we were in the area, to visit Wisley gardens. They looked beautiful in the spring sunshine. The Rhododendrons were absolutely stunning and I took lots of photographs. I hope that some will be good enough to paint from. Last week I finished designing the accessory for the embroidery course. I have designed a handbag based on shells. The next module for the course involves making cords, braids, buttons and tassels so its back to work.

Embroidery course contd.

Hi, Another week has passed and I have been very busy finishing the seven pieces of patchwork for the course. I have also designed a bag which has been submitted for inspection before it is made. I have'nt had much time to do anything else other than sew but I am taking the day off tomorrow. The patchwork pieces worked well. I have a couple of exciting things coming up. I have been asked to paint another painting for a friend which will be great. I cannot wait to get back to painting as soon as I have finished the embroidery course. So its straight on to the next module. I hope to complete this module in a lot less time. The last module seemed to take weeks as there was a lot involved. There does seem to be a little bit of an imbalance between the amount of work required for each of the modules. Take a look at some of the patchwork pieces.

Embroidery course contd.

Hi. I have been very busy finishing the wall hanging for the embroidery course. Like a lot of things it has taken much longer to make than I anticipated, but now its complete. I had a problem when machine quilting the hanging. I stitched it up late at night and thought it had gone well. It was only when I looked at the stitching on the back in the cold light of day that I realised the stitches were all looped. I thought at first, the machine tension was incorrect but in fact it was a blunt needle causing the trouble. I changed the needle and then had to restitch the whole hanging, which was a real pain especially when you think you have finished. It was worth it. The addition of the lemon and mauve tear drop beads, crystal beads and silver and pruple tassels really added that much needed sparkle to the design. Now all I have to do to complete this part of the course is seven different types of patchwork and design a bag. I had better get back to work.