The blue theme continues with Goldwork

When I started my blog I always wanted it to be about all of my sewing endeavors and that's why I called it Wendy's Quilts and More. Today I want to show you some of my goldwork embroidery.

my Illuminated Initial

I first developed an interest in goldwork about three years ago when I saw some lovely pieces on display at my local embroidery shop. The entry point was a bumble bee class and I made this bee:

He's only 1.5 inches long and 2 inches wide, so is really quite tiny. At the moment he sits quite lonely in the centre of a big piece of silk because I intended to give him some friends, but of course other projects came along and he's remained lonely for three years now.

Once I'd made the bee, I was qualified to enrol in the next class I wanted to do - the goldwork initials. Perhaps I should have chosen a different initial and made a piece as a gift for someone else, but I chose 'W' and kept it for myself.

my framed initial

The lady who created the designs was our tutor and taught us the skills needed to complete a piece like this. We also learnt long and short stitch because the flowers are made that way.  Of course we could choose our own silk and threads, so I made mine in my traditional colour palette.  This piece is framed now and I'm really thrilled with how it turned out.

The following year I went back for more and made a floral sampler. This time I tried to be quite different and I went for silver on a dark background. I love this piece too and it hangs in our bedroom.

Goldwork Floral Sampler

I haven't done anymore goldwork since then, but I am very inspired by a book by Hazel Everett which has amazing designs in it, both for flowers and animals. Maybe one day ...

I'm linking up with Esther this week.

Just a reminder that the voting is now open in the Bloggers' Quilt Festival. There are great quilts in every category and you can vote for your favourite 3 in each category. Just follow this link and click in the top right hand corner of the quilts you want to vote for. Have fun looking at all the amazing quilts that have been entered. Voting is opne until Saturday 8 Nov.