I started working a couple of days ago on an interpretation by Beth Russell of the Orange Frieze by William Morris. The colours really drew me into the project and since William Morris also is the artist of the Arts and Crafts Movement in England (a period in the decorative arts movement that I am particularly interested in) at the turn of the 20th century, it was normal that I would want to work this.

The original design was by John Henry Dearle (1860 -1932) for a firescreen. Beth Russell, British, a contemporary designer of needlepoint, through her brilliant adaptations, provided a cartoon for a bell pull. She intended the project to be executed in wools on a 12 point canvas. I am not partial to working with wool so I have taken the same cartoon and have translated the design on a 28 count antique white linen with DMC floss, using just one strand. The colour selections are beautiful and I am drawn excitedly to work this all through the day. I do not tire of the design, this much due to the selection of colours, a testimony to the taste and talent of Beth Russell.