Other Than Miniature Needlework

My passion to miniature needlework brought me to another level, or, I would say, direction. I've always been interested in Goldwork. You might want to ask how do they relate to each other?

One day I tried to experiment with Goldwork embroidery in miniature and finish a miniature Or'nue design. My adventure brought me to the conclusion that I need to learn more about metal thread embroidery.

I've signed up with EGA's (www.egausa.org) correspondence course "Metal Thread Embroidery" by Kay Stanis. I was happy to know this course was written by Kay Stanis, an internationally known Master Craftsman, Certified and Graduate Certified Teacher of the Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc. (EGA) and Kurenai Kai Traditional Japanese Embroidery (www.the-gilded-edge.com/about). I was more than thrilled to know that Kay is planning to give classes at the end of April in Spokane and I will have a chance to meet her.

I commited to start my 6 months course on the 1st of April (no Fool's day for me) and today I received my first lesson

The most exciting part about the course is that there is no Supply List. I am allowed to use whatever I want, whatever I find. I've already collected a nice stash of gold and silver metal threads, cords and trims. What you can see on the picture is just a small part of my collection.

I am planning to give a detailed report of my studying process on my another blog that is devoted to needlework in real size www.needleworkobsession.blogspot.com. I use that blog as my diary learning process.

I am also looking forward to start working on beading a little Orthodox icon - St. Natalia the Miracle-Worker.

It will make a nice gift to my little daughter, Nataly.

Thank you for visiting my blog!
Natalia

Dollhouse Area Rug "Istanbul" - New patterns

Today I would like to show you my new dollhouse miniature area rug needlepoint patterns. I called this rug "Istanbul" and there are 3 patterns based on the same design. All 4 patterns are united by the use of the same elements of Turkish carpets: tree of life, birds, stars, dragon, fertility sign... The main theme of the rug is life, fertility and their protection.

Before to present the rugs to you, I would like to give a brief history on it.

Turkish carpets were first rugs to be imported into Europe. Turkish designs owe much to Persia on the one hand and to the Caucasus on the other, often seeming to meld the curvilinear floral arabesques of the former with the geometric shapes and strong colors of the latter to produce style that is truly Turkish rather than purely derivative.

Turkish rugs rarely include human or animal figures, relying instead on such geometrical forms as the star, the diamond, flowers (tulips, carnations, etc...). Turkish borders also show the same blend of angular and flowing lines.

The colors in Turkish rugs are often brighter and richer than those in other oriental carpets.

Each rug measures approx. 5" x 7" if stitch on 40 count silk gauze and has 205 x 275 stitches.

ISTANBUL 1

ISTANBUL 2

ISTANBUL 3

And for those who likes to challenge themselves here is long runner that measures approx. 5" x 11" if stitched on 40 count silk gauze.

This is such a versatile pattern that allows to make different patterns, for example for pillows, chair seat covers...

I hope you like my new designs and will enjoy stitching them.

Have a great day!
Natalia

Source:
http://www.persiancarpetguide.com/

I saw the colors

The day has seemed to be gloomy today. In spite of the fact that Jim had a surgery at the beginning of March and recovery was slow, he can walk better now. Spontaneously we decided to go for a little hike to the Little Spokane River trail, or as we call it, Snake trail.

We never made there. Why? Oh no, not because of snakes we saw last spring, even though that disturbing feeling never leaves me, but because it was me who was leading today, :))) I stopped somewhere on the road where I spotted a path deeply in woods.

It is hard to call it hiking. I mean that path we took today. It was only about 4 miles, but in the area we didn't know. Apparently, no woods, and it appeared that it was a restricted area as well, but we figured it out only on the way back making a loop, where we could see a sign "PROHIBITED. NO TRESPASSING". Oops!

It was a little bit boring as well and I didn't take many pictures as I usually do.

I don't know the name of this little fellow, but he was only alive thing around, so I tried to capture the beautiful colors of his feather.

Beautiful, but boring too, :))) He was sitting still and with his back to me, and I wanted to see him flying, yarning, singing, chasing a worm, whatever... I wanted to see LIFE...

Probably it was too boring for me or so I thought. Closer to the place where I parked the car, we saw a couple escorting their dog not on a leash, or vise versa, a dog was escorting its masters not on a leash. I was so engaged in the conversation with my hubby gesticulating and marching that didn't notice the dog cowardly went around me and bit my left hand. The dog probably didn't like my hand or it looked like a sausage. The bite was light, no traces of teeth or blood, but it definitely took my attention, :)) I could only whisper: "OH, MAMA!". A lady of the dog laughed out loud trying to make me believe IT was playing with me... I need vacation...

Oh, well! back to the hike...

It was afternoon, the spring is definitely somewhere in the air, you can feel it, or see it, :)))

Do you feel it? No? Did you click the picture to enlarge it?

There you go!

Can you see it? There, far away... there is Spring, and it is close, it is coming...

I guess, I can't complain on weather, because I know that many different parts of the world are still covered with snow... At least, it wasn't raining on the trail. It started raining when we drove back home. After rain stopped, we saw huge beautiful rainbow across the road. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to take a picture - I was driving and my camera was on the back seat.

It was nice to get out. Even though hike was not serious, we made our blood pumping, got fresh air, got to experience different emotions, talked to my Mom, and saw the colors...

Any colors in your life?
Natalia

Nothing Is So Beautiful As Spring...

I feel like I fell down of the Earth. I had to take a timeout to deal with some health problems in our family.

I am not going to bore you to death with all details, just wanted to thank those who didn't hear from me for a long time for your patience and understanding. I am slowly returning back to work, my commissions and new projects.

Today I wanted to show you my last work that has been already sold. This is not my design, I stitched it on 40 count with DMC. Frame by Jim Coats.

I had a lot of fun stitching this design, the bright colors brought the sunshine and made the process of stitching fast!

We have an early spring over here, but the days are still grey most of the time. Soon I will enjoy dozens of different colors of tulips that I planted last year. Spring brings colors.

Nothing can be so beautiful as Spring...

Feeling re-born...

Mini hugs,
Natalia