Getting ready to be framed

Today was the day I was going to get through everyone's wardrobes and sort out what no longer fitted. Amongst my things I found a cross-stitch I'd finished several months ago but was yet to be framed. Well, I decided today was the day for getting these things done, so a quick tidy up and bagging of the unwanted items, then off to wash and press the cross-stitch.

Here it is draped on the ironing board:

This was one of the most complicated cross-stitches I've ever completed; Paula Vaughan's Good Neighbours. I just adore her artwork, and have bought a small booklet of cross-stitch patterns if ever I get the urge to start another.

When I took this in to get it framed, we decided on a very 'french provicial' type of matts and frame, but you'll just have to wait a few weeks before I can show you the final result. You can still purchase kits of her work at various suppliers, such as this one.

I started enjoying cross-stitch through the textile classes at high school. I don't have my very first projects to show you, but the earliest that I simply framed myself were of a piano and then a flute. I did these in my teens:

As time went on I began looking at books from other artists and began purchasing from the Fox Collection for kits and jigsaws. This is where I discovered Bessie Pease Gutmann. I only completed one, so still need to work on another to make this a pair. The problem is there are so many choices! One thing is for sure, though, it needs to be of a girl so that each of my children can have these when they leave home.

Please excuse the reflection; it was a problem. I took the other pictures by placing them on my bed to minimise the effect.

The most recent, prior to the Good Neighbours, is this one. It is also purchased from the Fox Collection and is now proudly living in Maestro's bedroom.

Hmm - not the best photos, sorry. The lighting is all wrong at this time of day.

Well, I'm looking forward to seeing the end product. Mariposa put in a jigsaw she completed for framing also, so we'll share all that with you in a few weeks.