Elevation Book Completed

So, after a trip to pick up end papers, I sat down last night and completed the construction of the elevation book.  For the most part I am very pleased with how it turned out.  I took extensive photos of its construction, a pictorial documentation. 

Pages being stitched together using linen thread.

Adding ribbons for binding and strength

How ribbons will lay once glued in place

Gluing the ribbons in place. I always smear the glue to spread it.

Boards Glued to the linen lining (helps protect the glue from showing on the silk)

Fold the corners in and stitch closed

Shows corner stitching completed

Book cover assembly done

Gluing in the stitched book pages. The book glue in the picture is what I used.

Showing the pages within the book

End paper chosen for the book

End papers cut to size and glued in

Finished book, front cover

Spine

Back cover

I put the book in the book press very lightly overnight to allow it to dry in the proper positioning. When I took it out this morning I was so very pleased with it.  Today I will be mailing it off to the recipient for their elevation on the 12th.  Sadly, I will be unable to attend this joyous occasion due to real life. Real life sucks sometimes, ya know?

Well, onto the next project!

Making the Elevation book

Last night I spent a couple hours cutting book board and parchment paper pages for the Laurel Elevation book. Tonight I will stitch the pages together and then assemble the book. I have to make a quick run to the craft store for some end papers (and I was really hoping to avoid going to a retail store during the month of December, oh well).

Here are a few pictures I took:

All the supplies laid out

Cutting the book board

Pages cut and folded and setting in the press for flattening

Press set. Will remove and stitch pages this evening

Things of note:
1. This book board was easier to cut with a hearty pair of scissors than the exacto blade method. I did cut it with the box cutter, but had to trim it more due to rough edges. I grabbed a pair of scissors and found they performed much better.  Pictures of the cover cut out later when i get to book assembly.

2. I am wishing i had a paper cutter for cutting the pages. Would have sped up the process of cutting the parchment.

3. I am grateful for my friend MJ who gave me the book press on long term loan as it is an immense help. Its actually a flower press but works great for this purpose as well.

Tonight...page stitching, book assembly...and, of course, more photographs!

Cheers!

Yep, Another Book.

So, after a marathon 12 hour run of awesome movies snuggled up with my guy on the sofa, I finished all the embroidery on another book cover.  This cover is a commission book for a friend being elevated to the Order of the Laurel in Aethelmearc.   I am very happy with the cover as I think it is my best work yet.

My inspiration for this cover came from the Queen Katherine Parr's copy of Vellutello's of Petrarch's works, which is housed in the British Library (1544).  Though the recipient of this book has a much earlier persona, the aspects of this cover fit more appropriately for the books intended use, which is his vigil book.  Below is the original image of Katherine Parr's copy.

The materials I used for this project are as follows:

Red Silk Dupioni
Splendor silk thread
Japan gold blending filament

 I incorporated his device into the front cover in place of Queen Katherine's arms. On the back cover, I put the es carbuncle of Aethelmearc and a flying bee as another knod to the recipient.  The recipient asked that the phrase "Follow Your Bliss" be on the cover so I added it in the ribbon.  When embroidering the coronet (as he is a Court Baron), I added gold blending filament to the silk thread to add a little shine. I am very pleased with how it came out.

Getting ready to draw out the design

A close up of the pieces for tracing

Tracing the images onto the embroidery transfer medium

All traced

Adding the Sulky to the fabric and framing it up for embroidery

Image with the silks I used

Completed Embroidery

I had a lot of fun doing this project and I am so very thrilled with how it turned out.  I am making the book for it now. I will be using the same binding technique that I used in creating the book for the last embroidered book I created. (pic images here of the book construction I used then and will use now). Book construction images

I will be using a commercial brand of parchment paper for this book as it look more historical than the white linen paper I have used in the past. I found it when making the last book I created and it looks fabulous and fits this bookmakers tight budget. :D

Images with commercial parchment paper

When the book is all together I will upload more pictures and post.

New Projects! SQUEEEE!!

New projects always excite me! I have three on my plate right now..two have no deadline. One is a commissioned book for a friend's elevation. He was given a writ so he is aware of the impending honor.  I am currently doing research on that project. Im contemplating embroidering a scene on one half of the cover, in a similar manner as the alms purses were done (pictured below is an example that is housed at the Met in NYC). More on that when I have a more concrete design.

My other projects are a blackwork set of cuffs and collar for a friend, per her request. Ive started one here. I am going over four spaces because over two on the fabric she provided would make me blind. Im fast approaching that with age so I dont want to hurry it along. ;)

I am using Splendor twisted black silk, one strand, over four as I said. I like how it is coming out.


My other project is a norm...a pair of socks. This is great for me to have at work for when its slow or if I have a particularly chatty client, which is quite often when you work in the antiques market.

This yarn is a 75/25 Superwash merino wool/nylon blend, fingering weight.   I figured with Christmas coming, a few handmade presents for family and close friends is in order...and I do so love to knit.

Well, back to work! 

And it is finally finished!

This morning, I put the final stitching into the the knotwork tunic for my consort.  I cannot believe it has taken me so long to do it, nearly two years. I am thrilled with how it came out and I look forward to seeing him wear it.

At the collar, I stitched a double herringbone stitch in the matching colors to the hem trim. Then did a running stitch in blue to hem the neckline.  (which the full length shot it had not been done yet)

I am very pleased with how it came out. My guy asked when I was starting his. After a poignant look, I said "Not for a little while dearest".

And now...onto the next project!

Still going....

Just an update on my consort's tunic. I am finally on the last color of the never ending knotwork. When this is done I will be hemming the neckline and the sleeves and doing some other decorative stitching on the upper half of the tunic.  I have hopes to finish it by Crown tourney (no, not so he can fight in it!)  I have been using split stitch for this knotwork.  Here is a pic of it currently:

I am lucky enough to have a boss that doesnt mind if i embroider or knit at work as long as i do all my job duties.

More pics later when its done!

And..another new hobbie begins

So, last night a friend convinced me to go with her to her ceramics class. I rarely get out and do things just for myself so I said yes.  When I got inside I was given several areas of biskware to pick from to paint.  Not being a particularly cutsie holiday chachky kinda gal, I saw plates and bowls and mugs.  So I took a mug and a plate.  I contemplated what pattern to draw and fell back on illumination days and said this could be some nice feast gear.   I penciled on an ivy design and proceeded to paint, picking the ivy to be a heraldic gold and the rest of the plate (outer edge and underside) to be blue.  Here are two pictures of it. Next week Ill be putting the top coat on it (a clear glaze) and have it fired.  You can see the mug in the background. Trying to think of a good design for that.  Im open to suggestions for the mug.  Stay tuned for the finished product!!!

In the meantime, I have completed the white on celtic knotwork tunic of doom for my consort and have started the green. I think I have been working on this tunic for near two years. Im hoping to have it done for him for Crown Tourney (no, not to fight in).  More pictures later of that as well.
Ciao!

Embroidered Trim

Now that they have been worn, I can post about my latest project.  Sometime back in the summer I was approached about embroidering trim for their Highnesses coronation garb. After the pattern was set upon, I got to work.

The materials I used are:

Splendar Silk Embroidery Thread
Dupioni Silk

I used a light box to trace the pattern onto the base fabric. The stitches used were split stitch and chain stitch.  90 inches were embroidered for the edge of his now Majesty's tunic.

Pictures below:

I am in the works currently making an applique to put on her Majesty's gown. I'll post those when it is complete.

Cause all the cool kids are doing it