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Global Schwalm Sampler – Update (24)

The last of the promised contributions have arrived.

However, with such an ambitious project, it should not be surprising that a little problem might arise. Due to language difficulties, misunderstandings arose with one person’s contribution. Cheayoun Lee from South Korea contributed straightaway three embroideries: a pillowcase with a beautiful, but coloured stitched tulip wreath design,

a perfect worked square doily with a folded Peahole edging,

and a cute oval doily.

I immediately thought that I could not accept so many elaborate, but unsuitable, works for the sampler project. But how was I going to explain all this in a heartfelt way? Fortunately, I was introduced to another Korean lady – Youngmin Lee – who lives in the United States. She immediately and generously agreed to help me express my thoughts in Korean.

In the end, Chaeyoun Lee strongly urged me to not send back the unsuitable sampler embroideries. Instead she asked that I keep them as a donation for my museum. So I will gratefully do this.
Her oval doily, however, will be attached to a rectangular piece of linen. In that way I can very easily include it in the sampler; it will be a wonderful and unique addition to all the other embroideries.

#90
Chaeyoun Lee
She wrote: “With the wish of all people in the world to be healthy”

#91
Ekaterina Khokhlova from Russia embroidered a beautiful spruce tree.
She wrote – roughly translated: “I really liked the idea of creating a sampler together, and I will be very happy to participate. I hope I am not too late with this letter and my work. I chose the spruce motif for my work because Russia is rich in natural resources – especially forests. The forests of Russia take up 22% of the total forest area of the planet. Among all Russian trees, spruce plays a special role. This evergreen tree stands for eternal life, youth and strength. While embroidering a spruce tree for the Global Schwalm Sampler, I want to wish everyone health, steadfastness and striving for life in these difficult months of our lives.”

„Я выбрала для своей работы мотив ели, потому что Россия богата своими природными ресурсами- лесом. Леса России составляют 22 процента от всего лесного массива планеты. Среди всех деревьев у русских ель занимает особое место. Это вечнозелёное дерево олицетворяет вечную жизнь, молодость и силу. Вышивая ель для Глобального семплера швальмской вышивки, я хочу пожелать всем и каждому в эти непростые месяцы нашей жизни крепкого здоровья, силы духа и стремления к жизни».

Now only one embroidery is remaining to be presented. It will be shown in the next blog post.

You can see more contributions in Update 23.

Global Schwalm Sampler – Update (23)

Now only a couple of the Hong Kong contributions remain to be presented – all very individual and varied.

Also, a few more embroideries have arrived. They will be featured in upcoming blog posts.

#86
Carol Lawrence

#87
Sandy Wong

#88
Sandy Wong

#89
Mimi Chan
She wrote: “I named my piece Twelve Bunnies, but you´ll only find 11 bunnies in it. The twelfth bunny is in my heart. His name is Pasta. I adopted him 9 years ago when he was 1 year old. He´s now 10. He´s a lovely bunny with a character. He loves fresh veggies and fruits. He is always a good boy, bringing us joy and being a good companion.”

You can see more contributions in Update 22.

Global Schwalm Sampler – Update (22)

Here are six more unique embroideries from the Hong Kong contributions. Due to my wish to include a bit of openwork into the sampler, some of the ladies embroidered two pieces. These are not really typical for Schwalm, but they are made with love (as hearts and inscription expressly show). Thanks for that!
Hearts and an inscription are also embroidered in the last “lovely” contribution of this series. Here I also discovered a filling pattern that is new to me.

#80
Jackie Kung

#81
Jackie Kung

#82
Zoei Chan

#83
Candice Chan

#84
Candice Chan

#85
Vivien Kwok

You can see more contributions in Update 21.

Global Schwalm Sampler – Update (21)

Here are seven more unique embroideries from the Hong Kong contributions. Because I thought that a bit of openwork would be good to include into the sampler, some ladies donated two embroideries. They deserve special thanks.

New-to-the-sampler animal motifs and exquisite designs are found in this series.

In update 18 I challenged readers to discover all the interesting embroidered details. Now I invite you to have a closer look – especially to the imaginative arrangements of the different leaves.

#73
Bron Tsang

#74
Dodo Wong

#75 + #76
Siu Yan Chan

#77 + #78
Florence Poon

#79
Gloria Ng

You can see more contributions in Update 20.

Global Schwalm Sampler – Update (20)

Here are seven more unique embroideries from the Hong Kong contributions. Some of the ladies donated two pieces. I thought that a bit of openwork would be good to include into the sampler. Unfortunately time was limited, still a couple of embroiderers managed to work a second, more open, contribution – an extra thanks to all of them.

All the embroiderers included the reason for choosing their respective designs.

#66
Cindy Yeung
She wrote: “My design of leaflets, flowers and tendrils intertwined within a circular shape was intended to bring inner peace and joy to the audience. I find this especially important in times of adversity, when we need more support, empathy and collaboration across people from all walks of life.”

#67
Vanessa Cheung
She wrote: “My design is inspired by the hibiscus that blossomed in the garden outside my building during COVID-19. I saw them every day on my way to work. Their beauty and vitality remind me that there is always something to treasure around us even amid the most difficult times.”

#68
Stephanie Lam named her piece `Spring´.
She wrote: “`Spring´ is the beginning of the year in which weather is getting warmer and plants start to grow. `Spring´ inspired me to design this work with lots of flowers. Through this work, it is my hope to bring joy (sunflower) and love (heart-shape flower) to people in the world, including medical professionals on the front line who risks their lives for us.”

#69
Stephanie Lam

#70
Koey Wu
She wrote: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt only by the heart.”

#71
Cathy Lo
She wrote: “This is the first time that I am experienced in Schwalm Technique. Never I stitched any item in the Schwalm style. The most close to it is the Hardanger table runner project in the past. I have done two designs. The first one is called „Cats and Bird“, which was my very first attempt to put Schwalm technique into it, and I was quite unsure and struggling. As more practice and search on your web to found out more and knowing all different type and method. So I try again.”

#72
Cathy Lo
She wrote: “The second design is the Hong Kong flag. The regional flag is a design of five Bauhinia petals, each with a star in the middle. I chose this design because the petal will give me a basic area to work five different techniques, and of course the country I come from.”

You can see more contributions in Update 19.