Sunday, 21 March 2010

The Dali Llama


The Dali Llama
Originally uploaded by frances.small2
I finished the second piece for the Lavender ladies embroidery of the century panel today. It represents the fleeing of the Dali Llama from Tibet to India, when the Chinese invaded in 1959. The silk was dyed in tea, quilted, embroidered,buttoned and beaded, then the back ground was seed stitched. It is about A4 in size and took two days of constant sewing to complete.Thankfully, I have now finished both pieces,ready to be displayed with the other members of the group, to see where they should sit on the panel.

Saturday, 20 March 2010

Ben Hur 2


Ben Hur 2
Originally uploaded by frances.small2
Ben Hur silk painting, embroidered and beaded

Ben Hur

At long last i have finished one of my pieces for the Lavender ladies panel for the Embroidery of the Century, Ben Hur has at last reached the finishing post. Each group has taken a panel and will represent the year in various embroidered pictures. our group chose 1959. Each group panel will have the year in bold cross stitch and a central piece, ours is the cathedral, surrounded by what we thought were major events of the year. All of the panels will eventually travel the country in an exhibition and raise money for a children's charity. Each panel is over 3ft long and 6ft wide. Ours has, the last spitfire, barbie, a piccasso painting to name but a few. I have done 2 pieces, Ben Hur and the retreat of the Dali llama from Tibet. Ben Hur was drawn of tea stained silk,quilted ,embroidered,beaded etc. It is about 12 by 10 inches and represents the chariot race. It took about 2 years to complete as for nearly 18 months i could not really manage fine things with my left hand.

Sunday, 7 March 2010

cushion buttons


cushion buttons
Originally uploaded by frances.small2
fair trade buttons for the round cushion, so that the cover can easily be removed.

Summer Breeze Cushion

A crotchet cushion is dk cottons, to go into the garden room, inspired by the brighter day light hours.

Tumi. feather and fan shawlette

A simple feather and fan shawlette knitted in a wonderful 100% alpaca yarn and crotchet around with a picot edging in a baby bamboo. This shawl is so soft to touch and it's in my favourite colour. I love it!

My First Ishbel


My First Ishbel
Originally uploaded by frances.small2
This is my first real lace weight shawl taken from a pattern,in Whimsical knits 1. Its made from Opal sock yarn, a present from Julie at Christmas.The knitting of the shawl has taught me to read simple lace charts, i love the colour interplay

A Sunny day

For once the sun is out, the day is light and it feels like Spring,the light is so much better now that it inspired me to finish two projects and make another. Two shawlette s and a cushion.I haven't felt so great this week, so i have sat and knitted, instead of travelling around the country.The dogs have loved having me at home, i have caught up with Lark Rise to Candleford and read a bit. Martin took the car in to have a puncher fixed to find our front tyres were severally worn, 3 tyres later,he came out again,shocked that he had not noticed them. So fellow car owners remember to check your tyres every now and then as we were lucky not to have had an accident.

Monday, 1 March 2010

life is hard for a goldie


Lichen Coat


Lichen Coat
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Wrap around wrap for Ravelry Olympics 2010

Travelling scarf Group 77


P3012299
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Spring has come at last!!!


After many months of not blogging ,due to injured arm, life in general etc, i am back again. After so many months of cold and dismal weather, the sun came out and snowdrops are yo be seen popping there heads above the earth.Lily has spring fever, i have completed two large projects for the Ravelry knitting Olympics and new energy seems to be flowing in the veins. It seemed right to blog again.Today, i went to Ely for my embroidery group, and popped into the new wool shop. There i met Alison Yarninmypocket,selling her hand dyed yarns,i could not resist and my stash has grown by 3 balls. Some beautiful sea coloured lace weight and 1 ball of terracotta sock yarn. i start my pictures with my beloved Simba, who else, and then those of my Ravelry knits and my travelling scarf.