Our Italian Adventure 2017
Our trip to
Tuscany was fabulous, just as much fun stitching as our previous visit and
interest in wonderful places that they had organised for us to go.
However,
before I tell you, and hopefully tempt you to join us next year (we are working
on dates around the end of April 2018) I must refer back to my last blog with
tips for travel and mention some important items I forgot –
When taking a floor frame (the Lowery is my favourite) do take the Allen key to help re-assemble it on arrival. Before leaving home it is also a good moment to put a little Vaseline on all the screws; (this is recommended and makes swivelling to get to the back for finishing off much easier)
When taking any magnification be sure to have some cover for the lens. Some models have a ‘bag’ or metal disc but these strong magnifiers can easily cause a fire – even for short periods like a quick lunch!
So, I do hope you found all these tips useful and I am sure that you have some of your own – please do share them with us, I should love to hear from you and pass them on, with your permission, in a future blog.
So back to
our trip, we went by Ryanair to Perugia (pickup is included both from the
airport there or the railway station at Arezzo (excellent trains to destinations
like Rome and Florence). It was an
early start but means having a wonderful lunch in a very special restaurant in
the forest – one of those places one would never find by oneself and a true
Italian experience!
Then on to
Borghetto Calcinaia to unpack, unwind and catch up with Gilly & Dennis’s
news, even a swim for relaxation in the heated pool and generally enjoy the amenities
and spectacular views.
The project
we worked on was the del Robbia Fruit Wreath; last year we did another Wreath
panel with the Paschal Lamb in the centre and another wreath to coordinate and
possibly make a pair was voted for.
This Fruit wreath had clusters of lemons and the Arms of Arezzo in the
centre. Similar to the first one
Shadow stitching was used.
If you are not familiar with shadow stitching it allows the painted design to show through and gives both a soft gentle look and takes less stitching time that the traditional basket weave.
While this
type of stitching it is comparatively new to me, some years ago I designed a
series called ‘Patchwork’. Here the
canvas was painted in a patchwork fashion of colours and then stitched over
with lacy stitches allowing the paint work to show through. One had a beautiful Iris painted, another
allowed the stitcher to have their initial.
Within the Fruit
Wreath design, each student choose to do the complete design as the original or
use elements to suit their desires. One
left the whole of the centre free to take a mirror, another replaced the Arezzo
coat of arms with her own shield! and yet another stitched only the Arezzo Castle
with a dramatic border. Everyone
working on a similar theme makes for a useful exchange of ideas which I find so
rewarding. I shall hope to share some of
these variations when finished.
Besides
stitching – no hardship sitting under a vine covered patio – we were also there
to visit some of the Tuscan treasures, medieval hill top villages, interesting
museums and art collections, churches with important art work and of course a
little shopping! Sadly we did find our
rate of exchange (both dollars and sterling) not contusive to many
purchases.
This time we
revisited Anghiari. The village famous for the Battle in 1440 and the painting
by Leonardo da Vinci slightly later (1505) to commemorate it. This painting has been lost although some
believe that it is ‘under’ a fresco in Florence. Arranged for us was a private visit to the
famous Busatti Linen factory (web site Busatti.com/en if you would like a peep
at their range) and a leisurely walk up and down the narrow streets with
countless photo opportunities.
On another
day we went to Sansepolcro the birth place of Pietro Della Francesco and home
to one of my favourite museums, the Aboca Herb museum (abocamuseum.it/en) but
should you visit be sure to pick up the guide book. That evening we had a great dinner in one of Dennis’s favourite restaurants
Il Dongione in the nearby village of San Giustino.
However,
before I tell you, and hopefully tempt you to join us next year (we are working
on dates around the end of April 2018) I must refer back to my last blog with
tips for travel and mention some important items I forgot –When taking a floor frame (the Lowery is my favourite) do take the Allen key to help re-assemble it on arrival. Before leaving home it is also a good moment to put a little Vaseline on all the screws; (this is recommended and makes swivelling to get to the back for finishing off much easier)
When taking any magnification be sure to have some cover for the lens. Some models have a ‘bag’ or metal disc but these strong magnifiers can easily cause a fire – even for short periods like a quick lunch!
So, I do hope you found all these tips useful and I am sure that you have some of your own – please do share them with us, I should love to hear from you and pass them on, with your permission, in a future blog.
So back to
our trip, we went by Ryanair to Perugia (pickup is included both from the
airport there or the railway station at Arezzo (excellent trains to destinations
like Rome and Florence). It was an
early start but means having a wonderful lunch in a very special restaurant in
the forest – one of those places one would never find by oneself and a true
Italian experience! 
Then on to
Borghetto Calcinaia to unpack, unwind and catch up with Gilly & Dennis’s
news, even a swim for relaxation in the heated pool and generally enjoy the amenities
and spectacular views.
All food is
locally sourced and delicious, breakfast, lunch and dinner with wine is
included. So next morning, after a
lovely breakfast (Gilly’s granola is fab.) we started the stitching.
If you are not familiar with shadow stitching it allows the painted design to show through and gives both a soft gentle look and takes less stitching time that the traditional basket weave.
While this
type of stitching it is comparatively new to me, some years ago I designed a
series called ‘Patchwork’. Here the
canvas was painted in a patchwork fashion of colours and then stitched over
with lacy stitches allowing the paint work to show through. One had a beautiful Iris painted, another
allowed the stitcher to have their initial.
Within the Fruit
Wreath design, each student choose to do the complete design as the original or
use elements to suit their desires. One
left the whole of the centre free to take a mirror, another replaced the Arezzo
coat of arms with her own shield! and yet another stitched only the Arezzo Castle
with a dramatic border. Everyone
working on a similar theme makes for a useful exchange of ideas which I find so
rewarding. I shall hope to share some of
these variations when finished.
Besides
stitching – no hardship sitting under a vine covered patio – we were also there
to visit some of the Tuscan treasures, medieval hill top villages, interesting
museums and art collections, churches with important art work and of course a
little shopping! Sadly we did find our
rate of exchange (both dollars and sterling) not contusive to many
purchases. 
This time we
revisited Anghiari. The village famous for the Battle in 1440 and the painting
by Leonardo da Vinci slightly later (1505) to commemorate it. This painting has been lost although some
believe that it is ‘under’ a fresco in Florence. Arranged for us was a private visit to the
famous Busatti Linen factory (web site Busatti.com/en if you would like a peep
at their range) and a leisurely walk up and down the narrow streets with
countless photo opportunities. 
On another
day we went to Sansepolcro the birth place of Pietro Della Francesco and home
to one of my favourite museums, the Aboca Herb museum (abocamuseum.it/en) but
should you visit be sure to pick up the guide book. That evening we had a great dinner in one of Dennis’s favourite restaurants
Il Dongione in the nearby village of San Giustino.
Both Gilly
and Dennis are already working on some alternative visits for us next time,
there are so many great places to visit we only have to return to firm favourites
from the previous visit.
I do hope I
have given you some idea of a stitching retreat such as this; I keep it small, friendly, almost entirely
price inclusive and a great solution for people who wish to travel, stress free,
with a likeminded group.
A full fact
sheet (being prepared as we speak) with some great early bird offers) will be
shortly available and I should be happy to send it to you
Finally if
you can’t wait till next April, we do have a trip to Calabria in Southern Italy
this September for which again I should be happy to send details.
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