As well as writing stories and articles I enjoy travelling, both at home and abroad, the excuse being that it's all research.
This year all my planned journeys had to be cancelled, for the reason we know.
That left swathes of time for another longtime hobby - metallic embroidery.
I love all types of embroidery and marvel at the infinite variety of invention to be seen in different countries.
My Woodbine chainsmoking great-aunt Hannah taught me my first embroidery stitches, as well as Making The Back As Neat As The Front.
Thank you, Aunt Hannah, embroidery is a still a pleasure.
Making pictures with beautiful silken threads fascinates me. The brighter the colours, the better.
I also adore sparkling jewellery, so discovering how to do metallic embroidery with all the gold thread, sequins, beads and pearls was like having a private Ali Baba's cave. There is no such word as 'overload' in my vocabulary for my various pieces. There is never too much Bling. My aim is for the finished item to sparkle, shine, gleam or glow, preferably all at the same time.
This one is called 'East-West'
It represents all the intrepid explorers and travellers in times past.
This one was inspired by a Turkish song about a town near a mystical mountain. I modelled the town on Safranbolu, an ancient trading centre on the Silk and Spice Road through northern Turkey.
You can read my article about Safranbolu on Page 62 in the December issue of
A résumé of my French friend's life in her large house.
The wine bottles symbolise the family's winegrowing business. The trellis loaded with grapes is for shelter from the sun. The pictures because she's an artist. Her ladder and tools as the old house needs constant repair. Oh, and her grandmother's pompom rosebush and mother's bougainvillea.
The chaise longue for the essential siesta.
Close-up of the 3-D grapes on the trellis vines
This is bling bling made Art.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm still a learner - but it is very enjoyable.
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