Self promotion meme - Day 4

[amberdreams]

The Days:
1. Something old
2. Something new
3. Something you made for someone else
4. Something you made just for yourself
5. Something for a major fandom/pairing/character
6. Something for a minor fandom/pairing/character
7. Something you're just really proud of
So I was wondering about today's entry - it would be lying to say that nearly everything fan-related wasn't made for myself even when I'm making things for other people, soI thought I might post something that isn't actually fan related. Well it kind of is, but not any LJ fandom. This is me geeking out over Anglo Saxon art, and trying my hand at tapestry for the first and only time. I drew the design based on one of shoulder clasps from the Sutton Hoo treasure, then took nearly a year to finish the damn thing, even though it's only about 18" by 16". ladywillin, I over estimated its dimensions talking to you earlier!

Still, I was happy with how it turned out, and now it hangs on the wall gathering dust alongside all my other junk.

Comments

[tifaching.livejournal.com]

Wow. You made that? I am SO impressed. It's gorgeous! Is it needlepoint?

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Tapestry - so it's an open weave canvas and single stitches with wool so it looks like it's woven like a proper tapestry would be. You can buy kits with the designs printed and colour patterns to follow but of course I wanted to do my own thing.

[tifaching.livejournal.com]

That's your own design? Now I'm even more impressed. :)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

based on these fantastic gold, garnet and millefiore shoulder clasps from the Sutton Hoo ship burial. Some of the most amazing jewellery ever found...
http://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/255/flashcards/3666255/png/shoulder_clasps-1422F46DE1E0ABE3C09.png

[tifaching.livejournal.com]

Those are beautiful.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

They are - the craftsmanship is incredible. And they were found just a few miles from where I live now - one of Suffolk's claims to fame.

[dolnmoon.livejournal.com]

That is beautiful.. it's always so satisfying to make something for yourself and finish it.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Finishing was a relief! LOL

[yohkobennington.livejournal.com]

That's really pretty!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Cheers m'dear - it's different from the usual stuff I post hey? :D

[yohkobennington.livejournal.com]

Yup. But it's nice to know the hidden talents you have!

[adrenalineshots.livejournal.com]

That looks amazing!! You did a marvelous job with it :)))

It should not be around gathering dust... You should frame it and hang it on the wall!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Oh it's on the wall but nothing much in our house gets dusted so cobwebs and fluff gathers on most things... I ought to get it stretched properly though, the improvised bamboo thingy it's attached to doesn't really do the trick.

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

That's really beautiful, it may have taken a while but it was worth it, lovely design.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thank you, it's a feat never to be repeated...

[chomaisky.livejournal.com]

You are dexterous!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Kinda! LOL

[ladywillin.livejournal.com]

It's fabulous! I wouldn't know where to start designing my own pattern and then transferring it to the fabric.

Plus, where you say you don't have the patience for patchwork, I don't have the patience for tapestry and I'm always impressed with people who do! And it still seems big to me!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I made this before I had a laptop to distract me - now I'd NEVER even start something so time consuming!

[ladywillin.livejournal.com]

Hehe. Thus busting the myth that it's only the kids who are chained to their laptops. Shame on you :-)