Eucalyptus Leaves in Canvaswork
Close Up of the Sunburst
I believe I have mentioned before that our house is rather Arts & Crafts flavoured. I’ve been working on our dining room almost since we moved in. It’s north-facing, and our predecessors had painted it pale blue and papered the ceiling turquoise with gold stars. We felt we were dining inside an iceberg!
That may explain why when I repainted it, the ceiling turned white and the walls sunshine yellow. Above the picture rail, I stencilled a eucalyptus leaf frieze (in deference to my husband The Australian). When in due course I inherited my Grandmama’s dining room table and chairs, I decided to work needlepoint covers for the seats.
Close Up of the Leaf
Fortunately there are only four of them, but even so, I had to ask my mother to work on them as well, or they’d never have been finished. She helped with the stencilling as well – also an exciting challenge!
Unfortunately when they were finished I discovered some marks on some of the background. I was so dispirited that I couldn’t face unpicking them and so I stowed them away for several years. Now, however, I have fished them out, and I am tackling the replacement of some of the rows of stitching, one row at a time.
I would be nice to think I could get the chairs recovered for Easter…
They’re beautiful! I’d really like to see the whole ensemble when they’re all finished…
boy you love a challenge!!! It will be worth it…..they are beautiful.
I’d love to see this when it’s finished. Looks great already!
Your house sounds amazing! Good luck I am looking forward to seeing the chairs in all their glory!
Looking forward to the reveal! I’ve always painted my ceilings white, no matter how much colour I’ve used in the rest of the room.
i haven’t done needlepoint in years. love the color combination you chose.
These are going to be beautiful in your yellow dining room. Its always nice to bring sunshine and beautiful needlework together.
Wow – I’ve missed four whole posts full of beautiful pictures of your work. The pin-cushion is as lovely as I knew it would be and the sampler is gorgeous! These chair covers are too good to sit on though! How could you pack them away all this time – you perfectionist you!
They are beautiful. Fancy packing them away, but I understand. I would have probably done the same thing. I’m so glad you have got them out again. They really are worth the effort of getting it right.
So glad to see these are enjoying the light of day again. They look splendid.
That’s great that you’ve found the enthusiasm to pick them up again. The glimpses are tantalising. I’d love to see more of the design – and the Arts and Crafts inspired dining room.
Beautiful ! Hope you’ll show us more . Looking forward to see the chairs …..
They are beautiful. An old friend started to do the same for six dining chairs about 25 years ago. We have lost touch so I don’t know if she ever completed it, but I’ve often thought of buying six good dining chairs and doing the same. What puts me off is exactly what you found – that they will inevitably be marked. I don’t mean before they even get on the chairs (which is very unfortunate) but during meal times. I would feel the need to cover them with protective covers when certain family members sat down to eat! I’m sure you’ll have them done by Easter – but will they be attached to the seats by then too?
Good luck! Those sections look great, I’d love to see the whole thing 🙂
Rachel–I adore these modernist designs! I do hope they will be in use for the holiday. I would love to see a photo of the table plus chairs as well as an overview of the cushions!!
XXO-