What does it make you stronger?...

and the poet said to the mountaineer
don’t look at the peak
as a goal to be conquered
look at it instead
as a loved one to be adored
and explored
and it shall be yours
forever

Vijayalakshmi Harish

We spent a wonderful day at the Zion National Park, Utah.

I LOVE HIKING! I didn't know I would love mountains and rocks so much! Probably because I have never seen real ones?

I took a lot of pictures of mountains and rocks. I just stood and took pictures, then made a step, stopped and took a lot of pictures. Just like I took a picture of this rock.

This is how far down at the bottom of that mountain I was. I almost turned around and left, but stopped. With a corner of my eye I saw something moving on the mountain. I zoomed my camera...

Can you see? That blue dot in the middle? I was so intrigued and zoomed more...

and more

and more

Oh, my Gosh! Un-be-lie-vable!

From that little blue dot (please, click on the picture) that is hardly to be seen

to that critical position where a decision can cost life.

I wonder what does it take them to conquer heights? Probably, something I don't have, and I can blame on my fear of heights of course, but probably this challenge for me is something I will never overcome...

to be continued...

The Salt Lake Temple, Utah - Miniature Version

I couldn't not to tell you about visiting the Salt Lake Temple in Utah. We stopped there last month on our way to Arizona.

This magnificent granite structure was constructed over a period of 40 years, from the laying of the cornerstones on 6 April 1853 to the dedication on 6 April 1893. The temple is considered the house of the Lord and is sacred to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rich symbolism adorns the exterior of the Salt Lake Temple, depicting mankind's journey from mortality into the eternal realms.

Unfortunately, the temple is not open for public tours,

but there is a miniature version of it that is on the display in the Temple's museum behind the glass.

The details of the temple's mini version are epic. I spent a lot of time just staring at this magnificent mini temple and, of course, took a lot of pictures...

Some Temple Facts:
The Salt Lake Temple was the fourth temple built in Utah.
The Salt Lake Temple was the only temple dedicated by President Wilford Woodruff.
The Salt Lake Temple took 40 years to build with its highly ornate interior being completed in just a year.
The walls of the Salt Lake Temple are nine feet thick at the base and six feet thick at the top.
The Salt Lake Temple features beautiful hand-painted murals on the walls of its progressive-style ordinance rooms: Creation Room, Garden Room, World Room, Terrestrial Room (no murals), and Celestial Room (no murals).
The Salt Lake Temple was dedicated on April 6, 1893—three years before Utah became a state in 1896.
The Salt Lake Temple was closed on July 29, 1962 for extensive renovation that included demolition of the old annex; cleaning of the exterior stone; replacement or upgrade of all mechanical systems, plumbing, wiring, carpeting, and light fixtures; reupholstering of furniture; and redecoration of the entire building. The temple reopened on May 21, 1963.
On August 13, 1993, the contents of the Salt Lake Temple record stone—a hollow stone in the foundation—were removed 136 years after they were originally placed there by Brigham Young and other leaders. Items placed in the stone included books, pamphlets, periodicals, and a set of Deseret gold coins. Because the stone had cracked, the paper items were severely damaged by moisture. Salvaged materials are now housed in the Church History Library.

Source: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saltlake/

to be continued...

Framed Goldwork Bird

I found a suitable frame and framed my Goldwork Bird. I hesitated to post the pictures. It didn't matter how I turned the picture or where I put it I was not satisfied with the result, but here it is...

I'll keep it, even though I don't like this greyish-bluish background, but it was not my choice of fabric...

Natalia

Big Sky Country - Beautiful Montana

You have to be in Montana to understand literally what it means "Big Sky Country". It doesn't matter what season is, the sky in Montana is always high and big.

It doesn't matter what season is, the mountains in Montana are gorgeous!

Mountains and sky. They will continue to inspire and provoke us with wonder, joy, and fear as well.

to be continued...

Dollhouse Miniature Needlepoint Rug BLOOMING CARNATIONS- New Pattern of the Month

This month of May, when everything around is in blossom, inspired me on creating a new dollhouse miniature needlepoint rug that I called BLOOMING CARNATIONS.

Blooming carnations fill up the medallion of the rug. Apple in blossom surrounds it bringing joy and happiness of Spring. The big colorful roses in the main border symbolises the garden of Eden that is protected by four dragons placed on the corners of the rug.

365 x 530 stitches

It measures:

if stitched on 40 count silk gauze - 9.13" x 13.25" or 23,18 x 33,66 cm

if stitched on 49 count silk gauze - 7.45" x 10.82" or 18,92 x 27,47 cm

This pattern is available at my website

and Etsy store.

Chasing the Rainbow...

Spring has sprung. Finally...

Last April was rainy and cold, but we didn't see it and didn't feel it. Most all the month of April we spent outside of Washington state enjoining warm weather in Utah, Arizona and California. I want to show the pictures of some places we've visited and some things we've seen.

As I mentioned, we left Washington state in rain that was following us through Idaho till we reached Butte, Montana.

It was hard to see through the windshield, this is how hard it was raining. I almost fell asleep sitting on the passenger's seat listening the kid's radio station when I saw something in the grey picture in front of me, something colorful. I grabbed my camera and took a picture. In the grey mass and sky tears' drops I saw a little rainbow.

It was growing up with each mile we drove.

It changed its shape, intensity and length each minute. We literally were chasing it. One minute it was so far from us and

another - so unbelievably close, I thought I would touched it with my hand.

Have you ever had a feeling you are about to touch the rainbow? That was the moment...

... and next moment: what has just happened? It was right here!!! Why the rainbow ran away?

Oh, not a fair! We have to go different direction! May be next time we will catch it. There is always time to chase the rainbow and there is always a hope one day you can touch it!

after summer's rain
God's promise is remembered
glorious rainbow

(Gen 9: 8-17)

to be continued...

New Goldwork Bird Project Is Finished

The whole month of April we spend vacationing and cruising the country. We decided it was the best way to recover from all surgeries and health problems. What a fun it was!

We ended up our vacation in Burlingame, CA where I had my first workshop with RSN on the 19-20th of April - Goldwork Bird - designed and taught by Jacqui McDonald.

During the first day I was able to finish all padding. During the second day we started working with gold thread. Unfortunately I had to leave earlier, because it is a long way to drive to Washington state, and another wonderful class was waiting for me - Japanese Embroidery, but later about it...

Today I finished my Goldwork Bird. It is still stretched on the frame and this is how it looks like now. I haven't given a thought yet how to use the bird, may be I will just frame it.

Jacqui McDonald, who taught the class in goldwork, comes from a background in Conservation and Restoration, showed us 2 different types of padding that are used in Goldwork, a method of applying couched threads, and taught us how to apply Pearl Purl Outlines and Cutwork.

Natalia

Dollhouse Miniature Petit Point Area Rug KAZAK 1/12th scale

Dollhouse Miniature Needlepoint Rug KAZAK 1/12th scale - reproduction of an antique Kazak rug.

Caucasian rugs are the product of the various tribes inhabiting the wild and mountainous district between the Black and Caspian seas.

Most Caucasian carpets use bold, almost primitive, geometric forms, most are bright and colorful, most are small. Many motifs, however, were taken from Persia and Turkey to be rendered in the virale, linear style of the Caucasus.

One of the best-known and popular Caucasian rugs is KAZAK. The geometric pattern of Kazak rugs is bold, often showing more empty ground than other Caucasian carpets. The colors are also bold: red, green, blue, white, brown.

Where does the name KAZAK come from?

First of all, please, do not be confused. Kazak rugs are not woven by Cossacks of Russia or Kazakhs of Kazakhstan. Kazak in it's many spellings refers to a political relationship rather than a tribe. The first use of the term is in the Yuan ch'ao pi-shih which dates to the 13th century. The Kazaks of Kazak were Azeri tribes that tried to maintain their freedom while standing off the Turks, the Persians, and the Russians. When Czar Alexander annexed Kazak, Shams od din, and Borchalu in 1805 the Moslems and Kurds were uprooted. So, When we read Kazak Rug in the rug trade we mean a rug made in what was the Kazak Khanate prior to the Russian capture in 1805.

The dollhouse needlepoint Kazak rug is stitched on 49 count silk gauze with Gloriana silk

Front side of the rug

Back side of the rug

317 x 398 stitches

6.47" x 8.12" or 16,43 x 20,63 cm

Thank you for visiting my blog!
Natalia

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

New Pattern of the Month - Dollhouse Needlepoint Rug VERA

I named this Dollhouse Miniature Needlepoint Pattern VERA to honor my Mom. Translating from Russian into English "Vera" means "Faith".

I started working on this pattern 4 years ago. I charted some borders and corners of the rug. Being impatient by nature, I wanted to see how this rug would look like stitched on silk gauze. I started stitching it.
During last 4 years I kept working on it periodically adding stitch here and there without any inspiration to finish the pattern. This is how my rug looked like last time I touched it in November 2014.

One Saturday at the end of March I picked up the hoop with the framed rug on it and... I knew exactly what to do. It took me about 5 hours to finish charting the pattern: the main border and the field. 5 hours! I've been waiting for that inspirational moment for 4 years!

There are 243 x 421 stitches, Gutermann silk

The rug measures

4.96" x 8.59" if to stitch on 49 count silk gauze

6.08" x 10.53" if to stitch on 40 count silk gauze

If you would like to join me in the stitching progress, you can find the kit available for sale at my etsy store that you can find on the right hand side bar or if you follow the link:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/227958546/dollhouse-miniature-needlepoint-kit-area?ref=listing-shop-header-0

Have a great day!
Natalia

Quarter Scale - Blue Lagoon Cottage

I started working on a dollhouse kit in 1/48 scale from Laser Dollhouse Designs, Inc. The kit is called Little Ann Cottage, but since I see this cottage on the sea shore and in blue colors, I re-named it. Now it is called Blue Lagoon.

Today I'll show a little process. I painted some walls in light blue color

and applied wallpaper

For the floor I used Scale Lumber

I am not sure how to finish the floor yet, but want to have a natural light look.

This is what I have for today after assembling prepared parts together

This is a look from the front side of the cottage

and sides, :)))

I start liking quarter scale!

Natalia