Seeing spots

As you can see I haven't been asleep for the last few weeks, even though the weather might definitely be tempting me to hibernation! We are making progress - but oh so slowly. I'm just glad I'm not doing this on an intensive fortnight.

The yellow felt spots definitely did not work, and in the end I just bit the bullet and embroidered onto the silk. As you can see they seem to look OK (forgive the carpet felt on the photos-it goes everywhere but fortunately disappears when covered up).

So the horse is now nearly complete. Just the front hooves to attach and the ears - one of which is to be free standing so a bit more fiddling with tiny shapes! The saddle cloth has trailing for the stripes and there is the cantle to do in white kid leather

Spots-French knots outlined with chain stitch

I can now move on to the knight. 

Ready to trot on

 His boot will be black leather and his armour is a bit of needlace-single brussels for those who are interested. I've put on a thin layer of carpet felt and will build that up as I work him. I'm just not sure about the face whether to do it a la stumpwork as a slip or just attach it in situ. I'm still thinking about that.

Hooves attached with satin stitch

 Oh and there are more spots...........and more.................and more yet to do. Yep, I really must be dotty!

Just a few spots yet

 But a bit more news about the blackwork. Having been on show at the RSN Exhibition in Glasgow where Helen McCook teaches, she's now off to Chelsea, London for another embroidery show the RSN are exhibiting work at. All I can say is I wish I was as well travelled.

Needlelace Jerkin

Ups and Downs

We all have them. Those days (or weeks) when just about everything you do does not go as you want it to.I seemed to be making progress with the applique. Got the carpet felt and felt on for the horse so he is looking quite good...

Horse motif

and I completed the scroll panel. I does look a little puckered in places but I have blocked it out and will see if that helps, then it is up to Tracy (and me) to see if it meets the RSN exacting standards.

Scroll motifs-fly stitch edging.

Now I have to cover the horse in silk then I can move on to the knight. Except, that before I put the horse silk on I have to do eighteen little spots that will sit on the silk. So, here I am all this week, doing French knots onto felt that I can then cut out and attach before the silk can cover the horse!

French knot spots (say that fast)

However, the crewel work is not going - at all! There is one leaf that at the moment has defeated me and I can't get the angle right. But I won't be beaten. I've put it down and will come back to it later fresh and after some thought and research.

Goldwork flower

In the meantime, I did this little abstract for a class I am holding for beginners. Tried to keep it simple but interesting, so that the students can achieve something - then want to do more.

And finally, I got back my angel from assessment. I got a good mark and should be pleased but the catalogue of errors I'd made made me feel thoroughly depressed. Some I knew of and they will undoubtedly come with experience. Others, no matter how hard I try I can never get right - does anyone mount successfully I wonder or am I particularly stupid? And then there were those that seemed as if a laser had gone in on my work - which I suppose it had.

I am pleased and am on track but should we say the shine went off the goldwork there and then! Still there's always the next module to aim for.