Friday 18 January 2019

Gingerbread Retreat Cottage - and the Peacock Party

When I was choosing a name for my blog, I wanted something that reflected my love of embroidery as well as my love of quilting.  Five years ago I probably spent more time on embroidery than I did on quilting.  Now the tables have turned and quilting takes up the majority of my spare time, but I do still like to do embroidery, knitting, tapestry, and crochet etc.

This week I was finally putting away my Christmas presents, and I thought that I may as well "kit up" (and embroidery term I discovered on Instagram) my two newest Gingerbread Village patterns.


I've had the Retreat cottage pattern since April 2018, but hadn't made a start yet.  I split the bundles of threads, and put all the threads onto pieces of cardboard with labels.  This what is known as "kitting up". 


I then cut out the required pieces of linen and zig zagged around the edges so they don't fray while I'm stitching.


Then I couldn't resist the temptation of starting the pretty roof sections for the Retreat Cottage.  I haven't done hardanger for a while, so I was a bit nervous about cutting the threads. But everything was fine, and I remembered how to do it.

I'm using brown linen for the roof sections because I want the white snow to show up even more! I'll put a piece of fabric behind this section once it's finished.


I've also got the Flower Shop pattern waiting for me now! It's going to be a busy year! You can read all about my Gingerbread Village on the tab at the top of the page.  The patterns are all by Thea Dueck of The Victoria Sampler in Canada. 



Now for the Peacock Party.  What's everyone else been up to?  Feel free to link up a recent blog post below.  I'm enjoying visiting new blogs each week.  Thank you to everyone who has been taking part.

Inlinkz Link Party







8 comments:

Created by Kathi said...

oh Wow Wendy... your post this week for the Peacock Party took me back to doing pulled thread work myself... most of that work got burned in a house fire but my mom still has one framed piece I did for her many moons ago when my hands and eyes could do such exacting work not to cut into the next thread etc... your work is amazing! I love that these little houses will adorn your tree during Christmas. I look forward to learning what you put inside them to hold their shape :) Lovely choices on the dark chocolate colored cloth and all your colors of thread and extra bits you will use all kitted together :) Have fun! I will link up Sunday morning my time! Been a busy week here so lots to share :) Kathi

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

love your kits I haven't done that kind of work in awhile

FlourishingPalms said...

I once did a lot of the same sort of handwork. Embroidery, counted cross-stitch, Hardanger, needlepoint, along with tatting, candlewicking, huckweaving, and chicken scratch. (I owned a stitchery shop in Iowa, in the Midwest US, for several years.) I bet you're familiar with all of those. I admire that you're multi-talented, and are already taking on this retreat house! It looks to be adorable. Thanks for the Friday link-up. You're the best peacock in the bunch!

Cathy said...

That hardanger is gorgeous. That's one thing I've wanted to try but never have. I can't see very well to do cross stitch anymore but I still embroider and crochet but, like you, mostly quilt.

Janice said...

I love the kit idea. I think it would help me get started on my wool felt applique/embroidery project. Thanks!

Serena @ Sewgiving said...

I always love seeing your gingerbread village, I look forward to seeing this one come together over the year to come :)

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Your hardanger stitching is beautiful. What a wonderful design that is. I too came to quilting late...worked needlepoint for many decades and then cross stitch and now added quilting to the group. Jack of all trades but a master of none! Happy Stitching!

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

Years ago I started a cross stitch project that I never finished and have done one small needlepoint project. I love the look but guess I don't really enjoy the handwork. Yours is so lovely.