Stitching the Jacobean motif. . . . . .

I promised to show you this, my crewel embroidery piece 'Tree of Life' 

started and completed in the mid 1970's. I recall it took me perhaps a couple

 of years, picking it up now and then between family and work commitments

when we lived in Massachusetts. 

I bought it as a kit - complete with the skeins of wools in beautiful colors,

 printed Belgian linen, and stitch instructions - offered by one of the most admired

 American stitchery women ever, the late Elsa Williams. After a lengthy search

 I've managed to find this article on her which I found so interesting.

 Some of her kits, now classified as 'vintage', are still available online.

I didn't have my crewel piece framed until later when we moved here to

 North Carolina in 1977, choosing framing and hanging on the wall over a pillow

 or chair seat cover thinking it would last longer with less wear and tear. 

I'm amazed that the colors have not faded at all, however admit I've never

 displayed it on a wall with bright light or direct sun.

Jacobean embroidery refers to styles that flourished in the reign of 

King James I of England in the first quarter of the 17th century.

This is one of many depictions in the pattern of the Jacobean motif named

 'Tree of Life.'  It was popular for curtains and bed hangings - remember those?

 They draped four poster beds to keep out the winter drafts in those

 cold British castles and country mansions. Ms. Williams' designs

 for this motif were unsurpassed.

The term Jacobean is used today to describe this design for furnishing

 and is characterized by fanciful plant and animal shapes, stylized forests,

 and exotic plants arising from a landscape or terra firma, worked in a variety

 of stitches with two-ply wool yarn on linen.

A chart of crewel embroidery stitches and techniques via the Internet.

  

I doubt I will ever do another intricate and somewhat complicated embroidery
 such as this, my eyesight is not what it used to be for close-up stitching. 
I do love it though, recall how I enjoyed creating it, and am proud that

 I did produce this special piece of handwork when I was in my thirties.
 I hope it will be considered an 'heirloom' of sorts, and will be kept and
 admired by a family member some day in the future.

Collard Pottery - blue stands the test of time. . . . . .

Soon I'll share some changes in decor at the cottage.

Meanwhile, digging through stored items - no room to display all the
 'treasures' at one time - I decided to give these two beautiful English
 pottery jugs a prominent place on the mantel so I can enjoy 
their lovely blue hues.

They have been in hiding far too long. They were my dear mother's and
 two special things I brought back across the pond from the house when she died. 

They are Collard earthenware from Honiton, Devon, a lovely small town 
 (also known for handmade lace) about a 45 minute drive from my childhood home. 

 Handmade and painted, all pieces - such as my two jugs in Collard's highly
 regarded Jacobean motif - were created by just 30 artists employed from 1920
 until the pottery was forced to close at the start of the Second World War in 1939.
 The workers were either called up to join the armed forces, or involved in some
 other wartime occupation. Owner Charles Collard and his daughter Joan
 maintained the pottery property throughout the war years and reopened in
 October 1945. Once back in production, Collard sold the pottery and retired
 in 1947 at age 73. He continued to make pottery in his garden kiln until losing
 his sight in later years, but stayed active until his death at age 95 in 1969. He was 
actually born and died in my hometown of Torquay.
From a news report I discovered that Joan celebrated her 100th birthday in 2015,
 but haven't been able to find out if she is still living.

Because there are some lovely shades of blue in these jugs I am finding them 

perfect to display with my new look for the living room. . . . . . . and of course 

they do bring happy memories of my mother, including her often heard words such

as, "Mary, dust the jugs carefully, don't drop them".

Both pieces are back stamped, the small one being Shape 27, and the large

Shape 34.

I have always been interested in the Jacobean motif, especially in needlework.

 Later I'll share my one and only crewel work embroidery piece. . . . . . done

 in the long ago days of good eyesight and I suspect more patience!