Creations by Marina Berts
For as long as I can remember, I have knitted and crocheted, I have embroidered big and small Canvaswork projects, doilies, tablecloths and many other items in cross stitches and Hardanger pieces. A few years ago, I sew my nephew's Christening gown and decorated it with handmade tatting. As most people who do needlework, knitting and sewing, I give away most of the items that I make, either to family or to friends. That is why we rarely have anything to show of all the time and efforts spent on our needlework. When my mother passed away, I was lucky enough to find certain things that I had made for her during all these years. She had actually saved quite a few things, even the horrible little doily that I had clumsily embroidered when I was 6 years old. Like my mother, I have put everything in my cupboard, and everytime I rummage in there, I see a small embroidered corner and it makes me smile at my earliest attempts at needlework.
To be honest, I do not really have time to make personal items anymore. Often, I am testing new laces for my students or I need to make a needlework sample for a special order, and so on. Luckily, the looms are often busy under other hands than mine! In my spare time, I really want to do something else than needlework - I read quite a lot, or discuss politics with my husband. At week-ends, we sometimes dance with our dance group Les Tabourot at different medieval events.
But when I come to think of it, I still have a few projects going on at home! A Christmas napkin (might be ready for Christmas 2015?!), one cross-stitch cushion and another in Bayeux Embroidery, a blue lace silk fan (Oh, I finished that, but the mounting remains to be done), fine woolen fabric for my husband's new suit...
Well, here are a few photos of my pieces of needlework, lace and weaving. If you come to Simsalabim, you will probably sooner or later see them somewhere.
