Framed pieces

All the completed pieces were framed. In addition, I redid the "Expanse of Shippo" to remove the speck of dirt under the glass that the judge pointed out during the GPR Exhibit. I took advantage of it being removed from its frame to photograph it without the glass. This is my JE Phase 4 piece.

Naoshima Sunset framed.

Wedding Shellbox, my Phase 5 piece, framed.

Spring's Splendor, GCC class, framed  with linen liner. This one turned out really nice. Darn it! There is a small white speck on the tulip petal, which if the judge saw it would be marked as a demerit! I will have to reframe this later.

Do I have any more excuse about working on Gracie (Phase 6)? Well, it's too hot today!

Pattern couching

Finished the third lily-of-the-valley leaf. It wasn't until I looked at the next step that I realized that what I have been calling the tulip leaf is actually the lily-of-the-valley leaf, and the tulip leaves are in the next steps. This leaf turned out better than the previous 2 leaves. The center vein looks nicer.

Really have to go back to the Wedding Shellbox next.

Pattern couching

Worked on half of the pattern couched lily-of-the-valley leaf. It looks fine, although I know that when I sink the metal threads the filling will not be quite so even. I need to sink and whip stitch the metals at the back before I start on the other half of the leaf.

Back to Spring's Splendor

Took a few weeks off to do my EGA ICC design class. It was hard getting back into heavy duty stitching, so I made some excuses and delayed for another 2 weeks. Today instead of doing the JE, I decided to start with the easier project. I finished the felt-padded half of the lily-of-the-valley leaf before I stopped several weeks ago.

The "pattern couching" right half of the lily-of-the-valley leaf was hard to do, and it did not turn out well. I think the fact that I haven't practised for a while also contributes to the difficulty. I hope subsequent leaves turn out better.

The progress as of today:

Progress

I'm happy with the way this magnolia petal turned out.

Self padding on the next petal.

I've been avoiding the Japanese embroidery as I have to start fading the cord, which is rather scary.

So Yoshi is showing me how nice it is to sleep on the Wedding Shell box piece on my JE stand. I provided a rigid platform on top of the frame just for this purpose.

Tulip and Magnolia Bud

This tulip bud turned out a lot better, once I was told the difference between a ply and a strand. This was done with the correct number of ply's.

The padding for the magnolia bud.

The finished magnolia bud. I think it turned out rather well.