Tag Archives: embroidery hoop art

Lilacs

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I’ve been waiting to have an outdoor photo-shoot with my embroidery “Summer Lilac” for about three weeks now, watching for the unfurling leaves, and then the tightly-closed flower buds, and finally the fragrant cone on our lilac bushes.

Out in the May sunshine after a day of rain, engulfed in the heavy fragrance, and politely keeping out of the way of eager bees, it was no hardship to take these photos.

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Interestingly, my camera and I disagree on the color of the real lilacs…they are purple, not bright pink!  The photo above is the most accurate representation of their color, and the beads in the embroidery coordinated beautifully with the real flowers.

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If you would like lilacs in your life year-round, “Summer Lilac” is available in my Etsy shop.

Tree in Bloom

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A huge cherry tree grew outside, so close that its boughs tapped against the house, and it was so thickset with blossoms that hardly a leaf was to be seen.

…”I named that cherry tree outside my bedroom window this morning.  I called it Snow Queen because it was so white.  Of course, it won’t always be in blossom, but one can imagine that it is, can’t one?”

~Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

I have my own “Snow Queen”–not a cherry tree like Anne’s, but an apple tree.  It inspired this piece of bead embroidery, “Tree in Bloom.”

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This was mostly created while I sat out on my sunny front porch, watching spring burst to life–and nursing a very nasty spring cold.  I spent the beginning of May embroidering, binge-watching All Creatures Great and Small, and single-handedly keeping Kleenex and Sudafed in business.  It was hard to feel too sorry for myself, though, when the birds and flowers were so cheerful.

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“Tree in Bloom” is worked on cream cotton and is framed in a 10-inch embroidery hoop.  Both wood and glass beads create the tree branches, fluffy flowers and budding leaves.  It was something of an experiment, and although there are a few things I would change next time, overall I am happy with it.

I photographed it on my own “Snow Queen,” which, due to a long-lasting winter, isn’t actually in bloom yet.  “But one can imagine that it is, can’t one?”

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This piece is being raffled off at the library where I work, as part of a fundraiser.  Hopefully it invites a lot of tickets!

Etsy Shop: Lavender’s Blue

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Lavender’s blue, dilly dilly, lavender’s green,
When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen:
Who told you so, dilly dilly, who told you so?
‘Twas mine own heart, dilly dilly, that told me so.

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I’ve finally tried my hand at thread embroidery with this little project, and found myself humming “Lavender’s Blue” all the while.  It brought back memories of piano lessons, where I first learned the song.  It’s a nice way to spend a some time, humming and stitching.

I’ve approached embroidery with a great deal of hesitation–a hesitation which has been met with incredulity by friends who have seen my bead embroidery.  But I have never claimed to be a good seamstress, and sometimes my stitches can be a mess–a fact I feel is easier to hide with bead embroidery.

This little project required only straight-stitch and blanket stitch (for the backing), and the floss was surprisingly cooperative.  The speed with which I completed the embroidery portion also surprised me; without beads to string, count, or chase across the table, it was done very quickly.

You were right, friends.

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This lavender motif was embroidered free-hand, which was enjoyable–like sketching, but with a needle and floss.  It is stitched onto cream cotton overlaid with white floral lace, and is framed in in a three-inch embroidery hoop.  Purple glass seed beads evoke lavender buds, and the bunch is tied with a thread bow.  The embroidery is backed with light purple felt.

If you would like a little lavender and lace in your life, this bit of embroidery may be found at Ash & Acorn on Etsy.