Off and on this week, I’ve been able to spend some time in the afternoons out in the “studio” getting some stitching done on this hand embroidered pall that I’m trying to finish. Working out there in the afternoons is terrific! I’d almost forgotten how much more a person can get done when working in a “dedicated” space. It’s cool and quiet, with few interruptions… except for Emma.

Two of my nieces have been working out there with me – Anna is working on the first pall that I set up and Emma, who’s now 9, is working on a stamped pillow case. Emma is prone to knots. So every six minutes, practically on the dot, she says, “Ooooooooh. Another knot!”

Guess who the Official Knot Remover is? Riiiiiight!

Still, the pall is coming along!

As I’ve progressed on this piece, I’m really glad I switched to the finer linen and decided to use the gold. I like the way it’s coming together. Again, I’m using two shades of gold-colored Soie d’Alger, which is a stranded silk. I’m using two strands of the darker silk to outline the main structure of the design (the cross and central circle), and one strand of lighter gold on the lilies. (You can find the original design for this piece here.)

What I really like is that the shape of the design is very clear, while the lighter gold lilies (from farther away) almost tend to add a light, lacy-looking filigree to the piece. They’re not super-visible as lilies in particular, unless you’re looking at the piece up close.

The lettering is underway. I’ve decided to use a stem stitch filling for the letters. I prefer to keep the overall look of the stitching the same on this, and if I went with satin stitch, I think the letters would not blend so well with the whole look of the piece.

I’m picking out parts of the letters to work in the dark gold, in only one row, to add a little depth. The rest of each letter will be filled in with the lighter gold.

So that’s where I am. Today, I plan to make some fairly good progress, if all goes well!

Emma says hi! And yes, she is sitting ON the table….

Here, she’s moving on to the butterfly on her pillow case. The outline of the butterfly required only six knot stops… but you know, that’s quite all right! It’s grand to have stitching company, after all!

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend!