Petassoun with embroidered frill

I have had this petassoun for a while, but for some reason didn't write about it.   It is an off-white color, with a fine embroidered frill.  The petassoun itself is very  nice, one small mark which I hope to remove with washing, but I haven't done that yet.   The frill, which seems about the same age as the piece, is put on a little untidily in my opinion.  It makes me think that the person stitching knew her boutis, but less about how to finish !  See what you think ......

Against the pure white of the quilt, you can really see how cream the boutis is.

We have had much colder, some days very wet weather.   Doesn't seem to have stopped my hibiscus from blooming though !

This is "masked bandit" with curled petals and a brown shaded center.

This last bloom is huge - plate sized.

This afternoon I am planning on setting up my sewing machine for the first time since the beginning of December.  I also want to work on my Schwalm practice piece.  Happy Sunday to all.

Schwalm Whitework - Online Course offered by Luzine Happel

On this wet and windy day here in Florida, it would be great to stay home and start stitching on something new.   That will have to wait for later for me, but I do want to share something with you that I think will be SO helpful to stitchers wanting to try Schwalm.    As I recounted during the summer, I had the pleasure of visiting Luzine Happel at her museum in Eschwege.    She has a wonderful collection of breathtaking pieces, antique as well as the many perfect, beautiful pieces she has painstakingly stitched over many years.  You will be amazed by her sampler, and the ingenuity displayed in the many different patterns.

Luzine is very generous about sharing her knowledge, and her website is full of detailed, precise information to help everyone learn to make exquisite pieces.    Sit down with some coffee and plan some time to explore at her online home.

Her latest venture is to offer an online course with personal feedback.   I subscribed to this, and received my package this week.  There is a kit with everything you will need to get started, items carefully labeled with their source, as well as a spiral bound book with detailed instructions.   I am going to start this weekend !  The price is very reasonable, and tax is deducted for orders from the USA.  I was able to easily pay via PayPal, and the fee includes shipping.    So don't hesitate !   You will not be disappointed.

Photo from Luzine's blog my kit is exactly the same.

HERE is the link to the blog page describing the online class and how to go about signing up.

This is the hotel where we stayed in Eschwege

 Just a couple of the pretty houses in the town

I have no affiliation - just wanted to share something that I believe will make many stitchers happy.

Happy New Year ! Prost Neues Jahr Bonne Annee 2016

Wishing everyone a wonderful 2016.   I have been talking about the coming year with some friends.   The last few years we have talked about a word for the year, something to refer to when we are struggling, and something that we feel might help us be more aware.   I still have not completely decided !   I think I need a word that will not just mean work or discipline, usually I choose something that I think will aid me in doing more, or better.   This year I need a word to help me live more fully and truly enjoy life.

So in that spirit, we had a walk on the beach at Honeymoon Island here locally.  The beach has been renourished and is glorious, fine white sand, glistening sea and warm temperatures - even on 1st January, it was 84 deg.F.    Someone had drawn 2016 in the sand with seagrass:

It seemed so perfect for the day.

 

One of the stitcher's traditions is to start a new project on the 1st of the year.  I decided to start one I have been keeping for several months.  Although the photos make the picture look white, the fabric is in fact a rich gold - Provence sunshine !  I needed to complete the pattern by adding a design to the "melons" that were left open by the designer so each stitcher could personalize her piece.  This is what I added:

I drew two small motifs and added them opposite each other.

 Imagine this as a much stronger gold color.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day and of course, a happy, healthy and successful year.