Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Shakespeare's Sonnet designs

Lorraine and I had breakfast this morning to unveil the ornaments we stitched for our Shakespeare's Sonnet Challenge. Actually, these are bigger than ornament size but we decided we can change the rules as we go. She chose Sonnet 55:

Not marble, nor the gilded monuments
Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme;
But you shall shine more bright in these contents
Than unswept stone besmear'd with sluttish time.
When wasteful war shall statues overturn,
And broils root out the work of masonry,
Nor Mars his sword nor war's quick fire shall burn
The living record of your memory.
'Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity
Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room
Even in the eyes of all posterity
That wear this world out to the ending doom.
So, till the judgment that yourself arise,
You live in this, and dwell in lover's eyes.


I was stunned when she pulled out this gorgeous remake of a Ewe and Eye and Friends piece:


This so perfectly represents the spirit of the sonnet not to mention it's beautiful. I chose Sonnet 105:

Let not my love be call'd idolatry,
Nor my beloved as an idol show,
Since all alike my songs and praises be
To one, of one, still such, and ever so.
Kind is my love to-day, to-morrow kind,
Still constant in a wondrous excellence;
Therefore my verse to constancy confined,
One thing expressing, leaves out difference.
'Fair, kind and true' is all my argument,
'Fair, kind, and true' varying to other words;
And in this change is my invention spent,
Three themes in one, which wondrous scope affords.
'Fair, kind, and true,' have often lived alone,
Which three till now never kept seat in one.
I designed this piece and tried to make it look Renaissance-like. Not sure if I accomplished it but this was a fun challenge for February and we already have March's assignment so stay tuned...

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW I love your sonnet design!

cathymk said...

Just lovely! I just love how the sonnets inspired such beautiful works. Looking forward to seeing next months challenge pieces.

Annemarie said...

Wow, congratulations! They both look stunning. And such a great idea!

mainely stitching said...

Oh, you are two super talented designers and stitchers!

The sonnet you chose makes me think of my DH, who truly is fair, kind, and true. :)

Chelle said...

These are so awesome, Deborah! I love the idea. Can't wait to see what comes next.

Katrina said...

They are both gorgeous and what a fun idea!

Elizabeth MacGregor-Kirkcaldy said...

Oh, they are both beautiful, Deborah!!! And what a lovely idea to choose themes for each ornament...

I especially love your design, "Fair, Kind and True" ... will you be publishing it anytime soon, as I'd love to stitch it! :-)

Anonymous said...

Deborah,
I have been working my way back through your blog and a pleasanter pastime I cannot think of :>) I really love the idea of your themed ornament and am amazed at the creative and inspiring way you and Lorraine interpret your chosen themes. Each is more exciting than the last. I too, would love a set of your original designs if they should ever become available.
Warm wishes, Angela

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