Sunday 19 February 2012

February Monthly Make.......dreaming of holidays

Do you love a country.....other than your own? 
For me that's Italy......I love almost everything about it [apart from the cost]........the food - I could probably live on Italian food for the rest of my life.......the climate......the beaches......the cities......the villages ......the wonderfully decaying architecture......the miles and miles of unspoilt countryside.....the history.....I could go on and on.
So when I saw this cross stitch pattern.....it screamed Italy at me......I knew I wanted it on my wall.....to remind me of many happy holidays spent in that country........and because it's fairly small it didn't take too long to make.......during chilly evenings watching TV.
The frame began life as a plain pine one.......I gave it a coat of brown.....then a coat of cream.......sanded it a bit to distress.....and then a coat of crackle glaze.....the cracks are fairly small......but gives it all a bit of a 'decayed Italy' feel!!
So this is my project for The felt fairy's monthly make challenge........keeping up so far!

17 comments:

Jane said...

lovely Jacky, the colours are gorgeous

Clare Lloyd said...

fab work jacky. you have lots of patience as i know i couldn't sit and stitch all that....so hats off...beautiful work. x

Sugar Lump Studios said...

this is fantastic Jacky! A beautiful piece to have and remind you of the place you love!

Kathyk said...

Beautiful work Jacky. I love Italy too andd reckon I could probably give it a good go living there (what's not to love with pizza, pasta and chianti!). I love Florida and have thought for many years that I would love to live there.

Happy Sunday to you and yours!

Kathyk

Rhona said...

I don't blame you for wanting this one - I've only been to Italy once and it reminds me of it too. It's been a hike since 'ver done any cross stitch, don't know if my eyes would cope with it. Your piece makes me want to try though :) xx

Sian said...

Ooh, it's got the perfect colour scheme to remind you of Italy! It's a lovely thing, lifted to another level with your superb altering on the frame

Maria Ontiveros said...

I have to giggle a little Jacky because I just found bags and bags of cross-stitch stuff while cleaning out our small attic! I have a few in-process pieces that I will keep and work on (maybe while on vacation), but the rest is being donated. I'll be posting about my finds later this week. I do love your piece!
Rinda

Alison said...

I haven't done a cross stitch in ages..this is really pretty Jacky and I like what you did with the frame
Alison xx

catherine said...

Fantastic stitching and it looks beautiful.
x catherine

Amy said...

Gosh this is good Jacky! Me? Well, there are many other countries I'd like to visit ... but, it's good down here, you should come and visit!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely project Jackie. I have to admit that I love good old GB best of all.

Lauren Hatwell said...

Its beautiful Jackie. I love what you've done with the frame too. Lx

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

So pretty! It's been years since I've done any needlework. I love the frame you did up for it too!

Beverly said...

Such a pretty design and you did a fab job on the frame :)

Anonymous said...

This is so beautiful, Jacky. Cross-stitch is something I never quite mastered.

Stephanie said...

An amazing project Jacky! I always wanted to do a proper tour of Italy but then the kids came along so I've only really visited Venice. I love America, can't pin down a particular place but I love Florida, New York & San Francisco (oh & LA & Hawaii too lol) xxx

Anonymous said...

This pics look amazing.In this project stitch with different colors in different designs.It look extra ordinary work.

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