Two finishes framed

Yesterday I got two finishes framed. I am so very pleased with them.

 I think the frames do enhance both pieces. 

The first I had completed over 15 years ago and was in a drawer. It is my attempt of a Portuguese traditional embroidery called Castelo Branco.  

Castelo Branco is the name of a Portuguese town and this embroidery is typical from there. 

The main stitch gives the name of the embroidery and it is the one seen, for example, in the carnations, which are, by the way, one of its typical motifs. 

Castelo Branco embroidery is always stitched in shiny silk on linen, and it has a very specific set of motifs and stitches that can be used. It was used mainly in throws and as either the materials and handwork were quite expensive it used to be only available to the wealthier families whose daughters usually took one (throw) in their dowry, when they got married. 

If you want to have an idea of how the Castelo Branco embroidery is done, here in these 2 links you can see 2 ladies stitching.

 You tube - Castelo Branco embroidery 1

 You tube - Castelo Branco embroidery 2

My second framing is of  Deborah Cockin Ackworth Sampler by Needleprint. And this one was a pleasure to stitch, as I said in some earlier posts.

What do you think of them?

Have a wonderful day