So all the Christmas stitching I’ve finished the past few years was lonely in my studio cabinet and needed some love....
I started with 12 Days by Joan Elliott because it was low hanging fruit, so to speak (no mat). I had ordered the frame size very precisely, accounting for rabbet width, so the lip of the frame would abut the stitching. (For an 8 x 1O frame, the area you see of your project is more like 7.5 x 9.5, because the frame has a “lip” to hold the contents inside.) However when I stretched and laced for mounting, my piece grew a tiny bit and the frame hides a few of the stitches, particularly in the corners. I decided it wasn’t a deal breaker, though.
The frame is lovely shiny gold; I chose it to highlight all the gold metallic thread in the piece. The inner edge is beaded, the concave scoop up to the outer edge is slightly distressed, giving a darker appearance in the receded area. The outer edge is prominent, bright gold with floral detail. I even found a piece of glass in my stash that only needed a minor trims to fit.
Next I tackled Celtic Christmas by Lavender & Lace. I like to double mat the Celtic ladies and use a suede mat to highlight their sumptuous dresses. I found it cost effective to order the red suede matboard (Crescent Select suede in "Blaze") from Amazon with free shipping. Well, the box arrived damaged and I won’t be able to use the whole mat board, but I can get a few projects from it. The inner mat is green, and I confess the cutting job on the green mat is jacked up. I was down to one blade for my mat cutter, which I had to switch between the straight and bevel cutting heads, and predictably, it got dull. There is more green matboard in my stash, but there is no point in trying again until I get some fresh blades. But in the meantime, I decided it was good enough to hang up.
The frame is gorgeous, brilliant light gold, with a luminescent finish on the concave scoop between the edges, that evokes heavenly light IMO. The inner edge is beaded and the outer edge is had some light floral detail over an oxidized patina. It was a little spendy (~$46 from the Pictureframes.out outlet shop), but for a frame this big and beautiful, it was an unbelievable bargain!
The reindeer project was a long time coming. For years Royal Holiday had graced Celtic Spring's usual spot. But when I finished Celtic Christmas, it seemed that that should be her natural home too. Meanwhile, I have a trio of pieces in my dining room (Morning Dew panels by Barbara Baatz) that I wanted to switch out for Christmas.
The reindeer are matted with a lovely dark green (Crescent Select "envy"), meant to coordinate with the Sparkling Forest linen that Royal Holiday is stitched on. They are mounted in pairs, laced on windows cut out from acid free foam core and wedged back in. That’s how I do it when I don’t have lots of excess fabric. In fact Celtic Christmas is mounted like that too, it was necessary since the stitching isn’t centered. Anyway I cut the mat(s) with two apertures. This required a lot of careful measuring and marking and some calculations. My best advice for framing is plan (I draw a diagram), measure, mark, measure again. Only cut when you are sure the measurements are correct.
The frame is handsome espresso wood, with some subtle gold distressing. The inner edge has a raised line, which begins a shallow scoop to the outer edge. I wanted the framing to evoke winter forest with a little nod to holiday sparkle, and frankly the whole project worked out better than I imagined. No glass or backing on the reindeer either, I felt like I spent enough on the foamcore, matboard, etc (the frames were stashed); glass will wait. They photograph better without anyway!
In addition to these, I have one more small piece, it's laced, but I'm still waiting for the frame. I'm also assembling a flat fold, which I need to finish by the 24th. My stitchy bug has been out to lunch since I finished Titania really, I've worked on a few of my WIPs plus a new start (Mill hill ornie), but I haven't touched my finish goal, Maiden & Unicorn. Framing actually requires a lot of energy. Last night I came down with my son's cold. I've got a sewing project on deck. And there's Christmas of course... wish me luck!
Great job! What lovely displays you will have this year.
Posted by: Justine | December 20, 2017 at 03:28 AM
What beautiful framed pieces! I love the frame molding you used for the reindeer. I hope you get over the cold quickly. Rest and drink up on the fluids. Thinking of you!
Posted by: Robin in Virginia | December 20, 2017 at 10:01 AM
Good job Stephanie! The frames and mats you have chose all go so well with your lovely stitching. Hope you feel better soon.
Posted by: Yanna | December 21, 2017 at 10:19 PM
Wow you have been busy with the framing. You have chosen some beautiful frames and the suede mat is just gorgeous.
Posted by: Joanne P | December 22, 2017 at 02:40 PM
Wow, those are some awesome framing jobs - you did perfectly! I love the idea of cutting out 'panels' of foam board and mount on those, I might 'steal' that some day!
Posted by: Leonore Winterer | January 02, 2018 at 03:08 AM