Don't Be Crewel

I started to show you the latest craft I have been working on.  It's called Crewel.  Funny name, right? 

What is Crewel Embroidery or Crewelwork?  Well, let's take a look.... here is snip from Wikipedia

Crewel Embroidery, or Crewelwork, is a decorative form of surface embroidery using wool and a variety of different embroidery stitches to follow a design outline applied to the fabric. The technique is at least a thousand years old. It was used in the Bayeux Tapestry, in Jacobean embroidery and in the Quaker tapestry.

The origin of the word crewel is unknown but is thought to come from an ancient word describing the curl in the staple, the single hair of the wool. Crewel wool has a long staple; it is fine and can be strongly twisted. Modern crewel wool is a fine, 2-ply or 1-ply yarn available in many different colours.

This has been around for at least a thousand years?  Hot dog! 

It all started, when my Mother and Sister in law went to a fabric/craft sale.  Sweetheart Sister saw this kit and knew it was meant for my hands.  And voila, my Mother in law started showing me how to tackle Creweling and embroidery in general two weeks ago and I'm hooked!

The kit came with the pattern, pre-marked background, needle, and all the yarn needed to make this nine flower design.  It also has enough fabric to make this into a pillow when I am finished.  Can you tell I'm excited?

And aren't those flowers just incredible!!



Here is the second flower I began working on.  The yarn colors in this kit are what make it so darn amazing.  Every thing is bright and bold (just the way I like it) and screams sunshine!!  The colors are ending up brighter than even the instruction sheet captures them as.  Whoop, whoop!!

Over the weekend I was able to finish the first two flowers.  And I began working on the red flowers in the top center row.  I am slowly getting the hang of each stitch and learning what the difference is between a satin and loop stitch. 

Plus, I have really begun a love affair with French Knots.  Up through the fabric, loop around the needle twice, hold tension on the free yarn, and back down through the same spot with the needle.  So clever!

And speaking of flowers, look what's blooming!! 

The paperwhite bulbs that we planted together and saw growing nicely before the weekend!

The little orange centers are delightful, they are so fragrant, and I can't believe how much fun it is to watch them begin to open up. 

Nearly all six bulbs have opened now and I can feel them pulling me through the last few snowy/rainy/foggy/hide under a blanket/where is the world is the sun/tired of being locked inside days. 

They also reminded me that I could probably begin to start my seedlings for hot peppers and tomatos!!  I know garden time is coming! 

Melt snow, melt! 

Happy Monday Lovelies!!