It’s three weeks since I last showed you my etui box, this is a pattern by Betsy Morgan from a Classic Inspirations magasine. I’m using my own choice of colours so I’ve chosen 
the spring colours of blue, yellow, fresh green and a touch of pink. This is where I was three weeks ago, I’d just about managed to get a few hours in at Embroiderers Guild before I went on holiday.
We only flew back on Thursday, so I’m still somewhat jet-lagged, but I decided to try and stitch a little this evening so I had something to show you!
I completed the long legged cross-stitch row. The alphabet row looks lovely but it’s those tweeny single strand cross-stitches again! As I wanted the variegation to stand out I stitched all the crosses individually, rater than doing a row of half stitches and then returning to cross them all. I’m not sure what happened to the number two at the end, I think it’s the jet-lag stitching!! I might see how I feel in the morning as to whether or not I unpick that number.
I’ve just got two more rows to stitch and this side is complete.
A little update on the National Crafters Award; I mentioned just before I went on holiday that I had been shortlisted for this award, it was with some trepidation that I posted my Flower Lattice down to Devon for judging. The award was one by Victoria Mattewson with a stunning embroidery of a ladybird. Follow the link to see a photo on the Sew and Sew websight. Between the classes there were over 800 entries, so I’m pretty proud to have been shortlisted. I was very relieved when my picture arrived safely back again!
This stitch-a-long is organised by Avis, from Stitching by the Sea, we share our projects every three weeks, if you would like to join us, just send Avis a link.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina,
Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Mary Margaret,
Heidi, Connie, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Tony
thecraftycreek 
It’s looking lovely! I can see how tired you were when you were doing that last figure; I looked at it and thought “…what?” It’s not like your usual exquisite work. I bet you’re happy to be home and sleeping in your own bed again!
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Thanks Kate, however great a holiday is, it’s always lovely to get back to your own bed! Looking at number two in the cold light of day, it’s definitely going to have to come out 🙂
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Love the effect of the variegated yarn.
Well done for being shortlisted – the standard of work is so amazing. The winning Ladybird looks like a painting in the link – fabulous!
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Thanks Tialys, I was worried at first it might be too much variegation, but somehow it seems to work 🙂
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Very pretty
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Thank you
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I hope the holiday was great.
Well done on being shortlisted. I’ll follow the link – the standard must be very high as I think yours is fab.
I’m on my phone and can’t see the issue with the last figure. I’ll look on PC later
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We had a wonderful holiday thanks. Last number is definitely going to have to come out 🙂
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Really nice work!
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Thank you!
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looking so pretty, and I bett you were glad to receive your ribbon embroidery back safely!
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Thanks Claire, I was very relieved, especially as they forgot to delay sending it until after my holiday so it was sitting at the sorting office for two weeks
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I’m glad that you are back home safe and sound after a wonderful holiday! I love these spring colors so much. Glad to know I am not the only one unpicking, company is always welcome.😄 I find that lady bug beyond belief, wow, but yours was a worthy competitor in such rarified company!
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Thanks Kathy, I’m well practised at unpicking!
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Me too……
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Well done on the progress. I would have awarded you first prize 😉
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Thanks Avis for your vote 🙂 though the ladybird is stunning, I’m quite happy to lose to that!
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Lovely progress. Yes, it must’ve been quite the relief to get your embroidery back. That lady bug is very impressive too. A tough competition indeed as your embroidery is stunning!
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Thanks Christina, the ladybird looks a worthy winner 🙂
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Thanks Christina, I think the ladybird is a worthy winner 🙂
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Congratulations on being shortlisted! Among such high standards that is praise indeed. The ladybug truly does look like a painting or an enameled piece online. Meanwhile, if your jet-lagged stitches are going to bother you it’s worth the time and effort to take them out (ask me how I know!).
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Thanks Sue, my jetlag stitches are definitely going to have to come out 🙂
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It looks great. Love the colors you chose.
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Thank you 🙂
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Just gorgeous!
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Thank you 🙂
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I still think your “Flower Lattice” is one of the most beautiful embroideries I have ever seen!
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Thank you so much 🙂
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I agree with Avis. I love your Flower Lattice piece. Congratulations on the honor among all the others. Great project on your new piece 🙂
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This is coming along so well. I’m sure you have already unpicked the “2”, but part of me thinks you could keep it as-is as a “souvenir” of your trip!
Your floral lattice is so stunning — glad it is home safely, and congratulations on being short-listed!
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I love the variegated threads, they really work well in your piece. It’s too bad that you didn’t win with your lattice, but it must have been exciting to be shortlisted!
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That ladybird is pretty stunning but I much prefer yours with all the different techniques. Congrats on being shortlisted 🙂
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Congrats on the shortlist! And yay for getting it back safe and sound too!
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Well done reaching the shortlist, it is a lovely piece of work
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