It’s three weeks since I last posted photos of my flower lattice, this is what it looked like then;

Since then I’ve spent a morning at Embroiderers Guild and an evening at home working on it. It’s surprising how quickly it grows once I concentrate on it, I think there is an element of procrastinating when flowers look hard as it’s all pretty new to me and I don’t want to spoil it, I keep putting it off until it’s nearly time to post and then wonder what all the worry was about!

At Embroiderers guild I embroidered the basket. I’m really pleased with the main one, even though I’ve realised this evening that I’ve not done the stitch quite right, I prefer my version! It’s created with whipped spider web stitches. The thread is basically woven with something a bit like a half hitch knot along a framework of threads, so it only goes through the fabric at each end. I couldn’t work out how to do it in reverse to go back again, so I started at the same side each time. The stitch is meant to have knot lines down each thread whereas mine looks more like a basket.

The final bit of stitching is my favourite, the ladybird. Isn’t it cute! The body is stitched with padded satin stitch, which means there’s an outline of stem-stitch and a few french knots underneath it to help give it a bit of body, a 3D effect. I put three black french knots on top as our ladybirds often have seven dots altogether, three on each side and one on the top. I think there’s a few ladybirds in the design so I’ll enjoy stitching those.

The daffodils are stitched with ribbon with french knots for the centre. The pattern calls for a soft mink coloured ribbon, I didn’t have anything similar so I decided to go for proper daffodil yellow, it stands up well against my tiger lilies anyway.

I’ve finished three blocks now, the next one is called ‘Agapanthus, hollyhocks, delphiniums & beetle daisies’ It’s a really pretty block so I’m looking forward to stitching this one. Just to give you an idea of scale, the sides of the diamonds are about 3.5″.

There’s quite a few of us taking part in the stitch-a-long now. It’s organised by Avis, so if you fancy joining in just drop her a line. There’s some beautiful projects being stitched so please have a look what everyone else is creating. We’re all different time scales so if there’s nothing there do have a look later.

• Avis at http://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com
• Claire at http://claire93.wordpress.com
• Gun at http://rutigt.wordpress.com
• Carole at http://aslightobsessionwithbooks.wordpress.com
• LucyAnn at https://lucyannluna.wordpress.com
• Jess at https://everthecrafter.wordpress.com
• Sue at http://sewingmagpie.blogspot.com
• Constanze at https://textiledreamer.wordpress.com
• DebbieRose at https://sewrosey.wordpress.com
• Christina at https://petalsandpins.wordpress.com
• Susan at http://susanpblog.wordpress.com
• Kathy at https://livinginrapidcity.wordpress.com
• Kate at https://talltalesfromchiconia.wordpress.com/
• Cindy at http://homeofaflossjunkie.blogspot.com
• Helen at http://stitchingranny.wordpress.com
• Steph at https://mymakingdoadventure.wordpress.com
• Linda blogs at http://lindascr8tions.wordpress.com
• Catherine blogs at http://hillviewembroidery.com
• Wendy at https://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.co.uk/