RSN Whitework Diploma Course

I am a little slow updating my blog.  Last July I finished my diploma courses at the Royal School of Needlework in England.  

Our tutor was Jenny Adin-Christie,  (click here to see her website) she is a wonderful tutor.   I came home with a couple of her kits too.

This course was a real adventure!  My friend rented the Fish Court Apartment in Hampton Court Palace.  There were four ladies staying in the apartment and my husband.  The class was taught just across the palace from the apartment.  Loved the commute, in the past I rode the big red bus to class each day sometimes carrying my project bag and slate frame.

We set up our trestles in the dining room, no room to walk around the room or eat in there.  We had more fun than anyone can imagine in this room.

The night before we had to turn in our projects, my friend said we are going to wash your whitework.  I wasn't sure about it.   We left it in the slate frame, put it in the bathtub, warm water and eucalyptus wash, rinsed, stood it up in the slate frame to dry.  By morning it was dry.  I am so glad she didn't pay any attention to me and went ahead and washed it while I watched and took pictures. It turned out great.

After 8 days of class and many hours working on our own I finished my whitework, turned it in for grading.  Picked up my project  and sadly said good bye to Hampton Court Palace and the Royal School of Needlework for now.  

 The above picture is my drawn and pulled thread.  My Grandmother was Irish and her birthday was on St Patrick's Day, love the shamrock.

We also, had to do hemstitching . . . 

 Front

Back

I hope to go back to England to take a couple more techniques in a couple years.  It was sad to leave, but planning to return made it easier.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my adventures at the Royal School of Needlework.  It took me about five years to complete the four Certificate Courses and  six Diploma Courses.  

I loved all of the courses!  I have made so many new friends around the world, it was a wonderful experience.

RSN and Henry VIII

Henry VIII is celebrating his 500th anniversary of his reign and was walking all around Hampton Court Palace. He was telling stories around the palace, we had the opportunity to visit with him and his servants one day and take pictures.

We told them that we were taking a class at the Royal School of Needlework. They showed us the blackwork that someone had done for the sleeves of their shirts. They were proud that one of the ladies had taken the time to do the stitching for them.

And now for the reason I was at the Royal School of Needlework. I took the last of the four certificate classes.

The pumpkin was drawn by our daughter for my birthday with the idea that I would use the design for my gold work project. I loved the design and am happy with the way it turned out. I haven't had a lot of experience with Gold Work, took a one day class and that is all before taking the two week intensive certificate class.

I am happy with my overall score for the four classes and can now look forward to the diploma classes beginning next year.

Hope you have all enjoyed following my journey to complete these classes . . . . . more when I take the next class or complete something exciting.

Now for a little advertising - The Royal School of Needlework is offering classes in San Francisco in the spring and the fall.

You can check here for more information about the dates and class offerings: http://www.royal-needlework.co.uk/

Thanks for checking back.

Back in the USA

We returned home yesterday from England, we had a great time, but there is no place like home.

We have so many good memories of the people we met, the places we visited and the things we saw, we will be talking about everything for years to come.

As a member of The Sampler Guild I had the opportunity to visit Belfast, Skipton, Ashford in Kent and several homes. http://www.thesamplerguild.co.uk/
They are great group of people who welcomed me into the guild and treated me as if they had know me forever. I really appreciated all their kindness and hospitality. In a previous posting I posted pictures of the gifts I received, I will enjoy them all and will fondly remember each person who gave them to me.

This is a picture taken at the Linen Museum in Belfast, I had never thought about how linen is made, she is spinning the flax and then the linen is woven on a loom.

I have two places that I visited several times and would go back to again, if any of you ever go to England you should see the Sunbury Embroidery and Hampton Court Palace.

The Sunbury Embroider is an amazing needlework project created by the village of Sunbury. You can go to their web site to see pictures: http://www.sunburyembroidery.co.uk/
There is also, a walled garden and a cafe with freshly baked treats and tea.

The picture is of the sculpture of a French knot, I talked to one of the people at the museum and they are going to have the French knot sculptures, in a small version, to sell. A great gift for someone who loves needlework. There is no charge to visit this museum and pictures are allowed.

My other favorite place is Hampton Court Palace, the home of Henry VIII and where the Royal School of Needlework is located. The gardens are beautiful, I have visited them in February, May, July and August the gardeners are always working to keep them in excellent shape. A great place to get ideas for future projects.


Now it is time to get back into a routine at home and make time for stitching everyday, I have a friend who stops working every afternoon at 3:00 to put needles in her hands, either to stitch or knit. I need to remember to do the same everyday, so I will have new pictures to post.

Hope everyone has a nice Labor Day week-end!