Tuesday 22 February 2011

An Heirloom of the Future.



I have something very special to show you today.


Isn't this beautiful?
This is Blackwork. Yep. I know it's red, but it's still called Blackwork.

Last year after exhausting his interest in Hardanger embroidery, my Dad discovered cross stitch embroidery. (He has to have something to keep him occupied in the winter months when he can't get out in the garden or in the garage.)
Well after a year of stitching the most beautiful traditional cross stitch samplers I decided he might like a new challenge, so I bought him a Blackwork book for Christmas.
I know it's only been a couple of months but I've already lost count of how many pieces he's finished. So on his last visit at the end of January I happened to mention that I would dearly love a Blackwork sampler to hang on my wall, hint, hint.
I was allowed to choose the parts I liked from the sampler charts in the new book
and the colours in which the piece would be made.
Hey Presto, a couple of weeks later my beautiful heirloom arrived.


Complete with the obligatory name, year it was made and his age.

.
Thank you Dad, for a true family heirloom.
Made and received with love.
xxx



44 comments:

Sandi said...

Good on your dad, what a wonderful craftperson he is, such neat beautiful work. So nice to see some men popping up on the internet who do craft. The man that lived next to mum and dad did a lot of tapestry, my brother also did tapestry but does calligraphy (took after me)now.
x Sandi

**Anne** said...

This is a beautiful piece of work, please tell your Dad for me. I've done crosstitch in the past and know how much patience you need and attention to detail. How lovely to have a piece on your wall made by your Dad. Enjoy.
Anne xx

Maggie Ann said...

Your 'blackwork' sampler is just beautiful!!!!....and even more beautiful that it was made by your Dad. I am in admiration of the sampler and your Father. =)

Miss Holly said...

Wow ! I am so impressed ! That is such a beautiful piece. Your dad is a true artist..

Anonymous said...

oh my, how lovely!!! Truly an heirloom in the making!

Aveen said...

How absolutely beautiful! It's so intricate, and it looks (to me anyway) really quite Scandinavian with all that lovely red and white. Your dad is very clever :)

Hen said...

How wonderful and lucky you! Truly a piece to treasure.
Hen x

Tinyholder said...

Wow, this is so beautiful and how lovely that he made it!!

Marigold Jam said...

It's beautiful - well done him! What a treasue and made especially for you too lucky you.

Jane

Sue said...

What a fantastic piece a true heirloom! And what an awesome dad you have, he's a real talent such beautiful neat work. Something to be loved and cherished forever.

Jude said...

A stunning piece...well done that man!!
Take care

KC'sCourt! said...

Blackwork is beautiful when done and that piece is well.... is there another word for beautiful because there should, I would love to have that hanging on my wall!
Julie xxxxxxxxx

Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life said...

That is beautiful .... you are lucky to have such a creative father and what a lovely heirloom to pass down. x

Allyson said...

That is wonderful! I really love both the simplicity and the intracacy of the design

Funkymonkey said...

I'm really impressed, what a beautiful piece of needlework. I enjoy cross stitching myself and know just how long it takes to produce something as wonderful as your dad's sampler.

Tracey

topchelseagirl said...

Well done your Dad. It is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I could do with getting my other half interested in some form of needlework for the winter months too... though he does have his model railway that keeps him busy. Your dad is such a neat worker, it's beautiful, lucky you.

Lucy in the Clouds said...

Wow, that is so beautiful! I can't imagine my Dad doing anything like that, not least becasue he insists he doesn't need glasses it's just the bad light!

maryannlucy said...

How fabulous. What a beautiful piece of work, and to have been given it as a gift from your dad - how special x

Hazel said...

You have a stitching dad like I do!!! Maybe they should have a stitchy meet up lol. xx

Anonymous said...

Oh how lovely. Every stitch stitched with loving care. A true treasure.

Jane said...

That is truly lovely. How clever your Dad is, I'm full of admiration.

Twiglet said...

How lovely for you to have such a beautiful heirloom but even better to have such a clever, thoughtful Dad! What treasures!!

Lululiz said...

Flipping heck, thats a fantastic piece!

Gilly Tee said...

Stunning I think is the word for that.
Gillx

Autumn Mist said...

Goodness, what a talented man! I love cross stitch so can appreciate how much work has gone into such a beautiful piece, I'll have to have a go.

sylviesgarden said...

Wow! That is fabulous.
I'm teaching myself to cross stitch at the minute, hence that lack of blog posts. I can truly appreciate the amount of work that your Dad has put into the sampler.
x

Jules said...

Well now we know where you get your talent from! I've been thinking about having a go at blackwork for ages - your dad may have inspired me to make a couple of heirlooms for the future myself x

glor said...

Wow, wow, wow ... what a treasure! Not only so beautiful but made by your dad. This is the best.

Mimi and Tilly said...

This is absolutely beautiful. Well done Dad! I'm hosting a giveaway over at my blog, Mimi and Tilly, so pop on over and enter if you fancy it. Sending hugs, Em xx

greenrabbitdesigns said...

That is just so beautiful!
What a clever, clever, creative Dad you have!
Vivienne x

mrspao said...

What a wonderful piece. Your dad is a treasure.

Bertie Meadows said...

It's a beautiful piece indeed I'm sure you'll treasure it always. We can see know where you get your talents from! Well done to your dad.
Bertie x

The Fairy Glade said...

Blackwork is very popular amongst my craft group freinds at the moment. A truly beautiful gift. Devx

The Weaver of Grass said...

Now I know where you get your talent from!

made-and-found said...

How fabulous is that.I was almost crying when I read your post and so unique as it's made with love by dad.I lost my dad at fifteen and he was a talented artist.I think about him every day.Treasure that beutiful heirloom but treasure your dad even more.He is a very special man.
Anne x

Anonymous said...

ok...new hobbie, must Yahoo.

Anonymous said...

Hello! This is indeed special! I love the 'blackwork' (I'm happy to learn how that's called) and yours is so beautiful with the red colour and the wooden frame! And from your dad - amazing!
Best wishes from Teje

Teje said...

Hi again...I'm the last anonymous...somehow my message left without waiting my name...
Teje

jewelrygirl said...

That is really beautiful! I am really getting back into embroidery myself.

Beautiful piece.

Alchamillamolly said...

Oh Fiona that is so beautiful what a wonderful thing to treasure.

Sharon said...

Wow, absolutely beautiful. Love it. My Dad just made me a heirloom too :o) A beautiful bird table he handcrafted himself (its on my blog).

Anonymous said...

What an Awsome Dad you have, lucky girl......
Tracey

Pip said...

That is truly beautiful. Can I ask which book you gave him? I'd love to try this for myself! Thanks.