A finish at last!

I have finally finished my Walter Crane inspired swan embroidery. I didn't manage to finish it in class on Monday as I was too busy drinking tea and chatting! I stitched the last couple of chippings on last night and am reasonably happy with how it has turned out.
This was the original inspiration, a piece of arts & crafts wallpaper designed by Walter Crane...

My simplified embroidered version in silk shading and goldwork...

The leaves are silk shaded using Soie d'Alger silks in shades 5021-5025; the swans are appliquéd with silk velvet; the legs are kid leather; swans outlined with couched pearl purl, the wings in rococco; the reeds are a mixture of chipping and cut work in copper and chocolate coloured purl. I have learned a lot in this, my first piece of Goldwork (apparently it is still called Goldwork even if you don't use gold metal) It is very difficult to get a neat finish and I think I cut my chips too big, but overall I am happy with the piece. I also learned how difficult it is to make a design symmetrical!  I think I will frame it, so need to find a suitable frame, but for now I am just glad it is finished.