I’m making good progress with my Bouquet Sampler, I just checked when I started it and was amazed to see it’s only about seven weeks ago, I really thought it would be a major project as its nearly 90cm long. Like most cross-stitch it’s pretty addictive…
The Bouquet Sampler, or Sampler Aux Bouquets to give it its proper name, was designed by Nathalie Cichon of Jardin Privee. It’s actually a set of three samplers which you can stitch as one. I’ve just about completed two and three now.
I love Nathalie’s designs, they’re traditional with a twist! A good example is the large vase of pink flowers, its very symmetrical and formal until you get to the bird sitting on the top flower and the butterflies flitting round it.
I also like the way she keeps designs simple, there’s no unnecessary back-stitch, she leaves areas unstitched rather than using ecru, such as the windows and door of the cottage and birds wings.
I do love the colours in this sampler, I had noticed though that the two browns were very similar, it had crossed my mind that I would have preferred slightly more tonal difference. I ran out of the light brown when I was stitching the cottage and the replacement is a different batch and it’s just that little bit lighter, looks so much better! I always try to buy all the skeins at the beginning of a project to avoid any major change but I did find the quantities chart rather confusing on the website, I don’t think google translate excelled itself there!
Looking forward to stitching part one, there’s a rather nice alphabet and a very cute hare to do next.
Linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday and Super Mom No Cape for Vintage Embroidery Monday. Why not have a look and see what everyone else is stitching.
thecraftycreek 
I love this cross stitch design! And the colours are gorgeous.
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Thank you Sarah, it was the colours I first fell for.
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Wow… you are stitching at light speed! The two tones of brown on the house does look good!
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Thanks Kathy, it’s growing quickly 🙂
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So cute! I just love sampler designs.
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Thanks Carole, I love samplers too, I’ve done quite a few now!
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Lots of stitching! Looking good!!
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Thanks Gail, I’m pleased with it!
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A very pretty piece!~will you frame and hang it? Or is it to be a table runner? That would be more like 7 YEARS work for me!
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Thanks Susan, it’s going to be framed, I thought it would take several months, it’s grown a lot quicker than I thought 🙂
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This is beautiful. I used to do lots of cross stitch but my eyes don’t enjoy the detail in the evenings. I do a lot of crochet these days 🙂
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I have a daylight bulb to help, there is also a part of me doing it whilst I can still see the holes!
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Wow, you are stitching that quickly. It really is gorgeous. I can understand why you want to continuously work on it.
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It’s going really well. Beautiful.
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