Tea, Royal Pig and Stitching

There is nothing quite like progressing a project, and by jove this one seems to be moving along rather quickly, I think that may be down to having completely settled on the stitches, normally I tend to change my mind. So not wanting to leave it another day to show you where I have gotten to I thought I would talk you through the following shots...

I do love a bit of metal work and on the beak I have introduced a thin layer of padding, and began to couch silver passing using a coloured thread to give it a different feel and drew in the deep purple of the silk used for the bird's head.

To help with the sharp bends in the beak I used a trusty pair of tweezers to help force the passing into the shape I wanted before stitching it down. 

At this stage I had begun to plunge the passing to the back, it's both a satisfying bit of the job but bloody infurating at the same time. Anyone who thinks embroiderers are patient folk I assure we are not. Or at least I am not. It takes time to do this bit, it's fiddly and can drive you to distraction....and yet it looks bloody good when done. 

The job isn't over when you plunge the thread to the back, you have to sew the threads down so they don't shift or pop back up. I've done this bit now since coming to write this post. If I remember to I'll take a shot of that too so you can see what I have done, though I slightly cheated...but hey its a perk of being shown how to do it properly you can find the loop holes.

Of course, I didn't just sew over this lovely bank holiday (yeah despite the rain!) I had a wee tea party with a couple of good friends, watched the pageant and the concert (bitched about the crap bits and whooped with delight at the cracking bits).  I have to say this was the best jubilee ever and long may her Majesty reign that's all I say. Though I do hope the DoE gets better real soon..perhaps he wanted to get out of watching the concert.

Calico got the Royal treatment, a little wee felt crown and Union Jack Ribbon (thank's to my best mate's mum)

Can't beat a Victoria...Elizabeth Sponge (by the way not bad for a 22p sponge mix from Sainsbury's basics! The Fortumn jam and fresh buttercream helped too)

I hope everyone else had a thoroughly good time, even the non-Brits! 

Right on with the tea drinking and the stitching!