so, here you go, both side, day and night. Clicky makes big
From a modern point of view it definately looks like I’ve overdone the tassels, so it’s probably about right for medeival.
photos courtesy of Gareth and his very important O level in photography.
I’m thinking these two would make good greetings cards – but the pre assembly pics without the tassels? or with tassels?
This blog is solely for textiles, with a little bit of silversmithing now and then, and will mainly be for my historical stuff.
Please do not use my images or pin them without permission.
My interests range from ancient greek to tudor periods, and I tend to be an artisan rather than an academic - not that I don't do research, I just prefer getting my hands dirty.
I dye, spin, weave, sew and embroider, and have been doing so for several decades...
If you click on the thumbnail images in this sidebar, they will take you to tutorials and finished pieces
opusanglicanum 
Love it!
Really love it ! I love your ideas. Your not just stuck on patterns, You really make Medieval stitching come to life in the present day. It is a join for us history geeks
thank you
The cats have to be my favorite. (In fact, color them black and this could be me and my Hubby.) The details are just exquisite! Thank you for sharing your lovely project!
I had a lot of fun with the kitties, although I’m sure niether maine coons nor bengals are authentic medeival kitties
It’s funny how the longer shot to get the tassels in really makes the shading jump out! You did a really incredible job on this.
I suspect these would make better cards without the tassels- it might be hard to get the whole thing arranged neatly and evenly within the frame of a card.
I think you’re right about the cards. IN the first batch of cards we did one of the other opus anglicanum purse and included the tassels, its always been my least favourite (it sells, but…)
Gareth hates taking pics of these, he always says it’s really hard to get the gold right in pics
Wow, these are bloody amazing! I love that the cats are shamelessly muscling in on both scenes and the folds in the bed cover are just superb. Really has taken my breath away!
muscling in on everything is what cats do best – that and gettings hairs on stuff and puking in the worst place possible
Love the fast asleep tortoiseshell!
Medieval people wouldn’t “get” Minimalism, would they!
no, they really wouldn’t – except maybe some of the miseryguts aesthetic type religious ones.
hobbes wants you to know he’s not a tortie, he’s a spotty bengal!
I beg his pardon most humbly. I’m not very practiced at cat-spotting!
he says if you were serious about that apology you would have wrapped it round a prawn
Stunningly beautiful. What a tremendous amount of needlework.
Is teeny weeny stitches.
Fabulous! What do you ise for the underside couching? I have tried a variety of metal threads and finres without success
the day panel is some antique french stuff I bought a huge cone of ages ago (which is why it’s a little tarnished) and the night side is from benton and johnson, both are couched with quite a thick waxed linen. what particular problem were you having wth your couching?
I love the metallic thread netting on the tassel bases. And the cats. And am awed at the gold background stitch work.
I had a lot of fun putting our cats in, although it can be very difficult to find medeival kitty images
As a heathen savage I love the tassels.
they’re just not sophisticated, are they. are you only allowed to love tassels if you’re a heathen, now?
With tassels! I love them, especially the top one with its image from the Carmina Burana. 🙂
codex manesses has some great images for embroidery
Reblogged this on I'm a Writer, Yes I Am and commented:
Look at these amazing, beautiful things! What a talent (and patience and knowledge).
This came out slamming! *_*
thanks
Awesome, truly awesome. I have an urge to make tassels now!
you can come and make mine for me if you like
Magnificent! The tassels are gorgeous and it’s all so rich and detailed. It makes me smile just to look at it.
the nighttime side is very silly, it makes me laugh
It’s absolutely lovely and there can never be too many tassels.
so you’re not really into that newfangled minimalism thing, then?
Na, give me all the bling, especially when it’s as beautifully executed as yours is.
Superb! Glad you stuck at the finishing even though it drove you made. With tassels, imho!
I’m always really lazy with the finishing bit
Either with or without – these are fantastic. I don’t suppose it’s for sale…
erm…one of these would be the price of a decent car, but I do have two smaller pieces in this technique for sale if you’re interested
how absolutely beautiful! if i only could do that too…….
I’m running a course at the ashmolean this year, there might still be places…
well, flying in from vienna would be a tad hyperbolised
alas, I am not yet ready to go international!
Beautiful design and exquisite stitching! So, a threesome with kitty… XD
I vote for no tassels on the greeting card. Caption can be something like “where we are spending our holidays”. Did medieval blokes really wear those caps in bed?
I always do cards balnk inside, they’re more useful that way. I think everyone wore a cap in bed, male or female, although gareth had a hissy fit when he saw this first time, he though I had some new bedcap fetish and refused to wear one
HOLLEEEEE COOWWW!!! OMG GORGEOUS! Can I be you when I grow up!?
not really, I have no intention of growing up myself any time in the imeediate future, so if I don’t grow up no one can be me when I grow up. If you like you can be me when you go senile?
I like your theory and adopt it in kind. seriously..very envious of your work. Just trying to find the “Follow this blog” button on your site but I keep getting distracted as Im scrolling at the next entry of pretty and beautifulness you create. YOur work is amazing and it is what I am striving to achieve myself.
there are tutorials scattered about (clickly links in the side bar) or if you’re in the uk I’m teaching a three day course at the ashmolean in oxford on this technique, as well as some one day workshops on other techniques(again, clickies in sidebar) and there is a follow button, but I think it’s slipped right to the bottom right of all the info bits
I am unfortunately not in the UK, I am in NY. I so WISH I was in the UK so I could come and learn from you. You have amazing talent. Your lovers purse just has me in awe..truly. I want to make one for myself. Thank you for sharing and being an inspiration.
try the litle faces tutorial, and maybe one day I’ll go international, you never know
Without the tassels. But they’re bloody amazing!
I think it’s definitely going to be sans tassels for the cards, might even get them sent to the printer this weekend
Your stitching/embroidery is beautiful. And I am probably asking a icky question but do you sell it??
Not the purse ,no. You aren’t the first to ask, and to be honest for something like this purse you’re looking around the price of a decent car. I do have two opus Anglicanum faces, a male and a female, slip mounted on silk velvet and in solid oak frames for around the ÂŁ500 mark, so pm me if you’re interested
Thank you – that’s kind of what I figured. I am please to see that I can order a Griffin kit – which I will be doing end of this week and give that try. Not too much problem for a beginner ?
No, that’s a fairly simple stitch. Be aware that the stitch instructions are either here under stitchalong or you can purchase them separately ( to keep costs down for those purchasing multiple kits)
Btw, if you check the blog homepage I just got some new greetings cards with the lovers purse
Hi… How long did it take you to make this lovely purse… From start to finnish…
– Birgit
I don’t log hours, sorry, can’t see the point
Lovely work!
thanks