the munk from uncle part deux

These are the colors of trebizond silk I chose for uncle Carl's coat of arms.

I haven't decided yet to do the outer rim in goldwork or not, would it be too much or just enough?
would it clash or diminish the big maltese  or enhance it?

decisions, decisions.....

 to help the silk lay flat you need to give it an under layer of thread or felt, depending on the loft you want to give it.

I chose to give the blue waves minimal loft and used a neutral DMC floss for the under layer

 the stem and leaf of the lily came next

I used a cross over leaf stitch for the leaves as it looks stunning in the finished  product









and here are the lilies finished in satin stitch and french knots

I have started the underlay for the crosses and the arms that go with the first cross.
though I need the anchors for the second cross before I start that part of the project.


I have started the background of the shield in a lighter blue I am variegating it because I haven't decided if I want to add a slight gradation of darker blues going up to the top. this was depicted in the initial picture but I'm not sure I want to do this.

I also need to add another layer to the book on the right side I want it to look like an open book before I set the lettering 

also just received the flur de lis
for the corners  when I get to that part they will look lovely!

The monk from "Uncle"

 Let me preface this by saying,
My family is weird.

I know we all have pockets of odd in our families but I have one branch that is entrenched in it's strangeness.

I also know some of you will try to tell me I'm the one that's weird and well,

That's Ok because I embraced my peculiarities a long time ago and am comfortable with them.

Franciscan cross

One of my Uncles has become (ordained?) as a monk of the knights of Malta at the rare old age of 79 (or so)

and I have been asked to make him his very own personal coat of arms

and for anyone who knows me, this is funny af all by itself.

but that's not why, I feel my family is so odd

Notre dame cross

I am the logical person to ask, as I am the one with those skills.

It's that I was asked to do so by my uncle the Buddhist.

cross representing philosophy and the law

 I am an Atheist BTW just so you understand why I'm giggling through all this.

I thought you all would like to see the process I go through to design and map out a large sewn piece like this.


I will also take you through some of the imagery and why it's so personal to my Uncle.

 the three crosses represent the religious orders in which he was taught the first for the Franciscan order who taught him in grad/High school.
 the 2nd and 3rd are for Notre Dame where he went for collage and  graduate school.

the lilies represent Mary, the script on the left the hosanna, uncle has sung in the church since he was a choir boy, and LEX CHRISTI< LEX CARITAS, for the law as he was a lawyer for 40 years

 the three waves are for Lacrosse where the three rivers come together, the black the snake and the mississipppi.

all on a large maltese, the rosary all around and the maltese cross dangling to a banner (not yet drafted) at bottom reading OBLITUS MEI

I drafted out the whole thing on a large sheet of drawing paper in pencil,

then traced over this with black sharpie,

then transferred this onto the 18"x18" piece of ecru linen, I will be using for the base, with a blue water soluble pen

as this is going to be mostly sewn in trebizond silks and stretched on a frame it should be safe from disaster but one can never tell at this stage.

 I am hoping to start on it soon and show my progress as i,
                          well progress.

I don't know how long it's going to take I also don't know if i actually have the skills and patience to get this all done in a timely manner.

so it's an adventure in sewing possibilities for me and I hope you all come along with me