It’s three weeks since I last showed you my etui box, It’s a pattern in Classic Inspirations by Betsy Morgan and each side represents a different season. I’m working on summer at the moment. This is where I was three weeks ago having just started this side…
I’ve not managed a huge amount as I’ve been stitching a few other things as well, but I’ve managed two or three evenings concentrating on this one.
I still don’t find the charts easy to read, whereas with cross-stitch charts usually one square represents one stitch, here each line represents a thread which I’m still having to really concentrate on. I’m also using my own choice of threads, selecting a few DMC variegated threads which I feel represent the season. Last time I still wasn’t 100% sure on my choice but I went with it.
The next border was the twisting lines, I still wasn’t too sure on colours but once I finished it I loved it, it just reminds me of a traditional cottage garden in summer, all blues, pinks, greens mixed in together. I’m still not sure about the purple at the bottom but it is staying, I’ll make sure there’s more in the top borders, I wanted it in for the heather on the moors in the summer.
I’ve nearly finished the frog border, it’s in cross-stitch over a single thread, so I need good light to do it! He still needs two black beads as googly eyes and I need to stitch the second waterlily, these are stitched with bullion bars. I need to finish the leaf first but I’ve just run out of the green thread, so the lily will have to wait.
The next border is the dragonflies, it looks beautiful so I’m looking forward to stitching this one. This is Betsy’s version;
There’s quite a few of us taking part in the SAL, so please follow the links to see lots of amazing embroidery. If you fancy joining us just send a message to Avis.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina,
Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Mary Margaret,
Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Tony, Megan, Timothy
I’m also linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday.
thecraftycreek 
Your cross stitch is looking so pretty! I love how the variegated thread adds such depth ❤️
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This is just lovely.
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It’s looking so pretty
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how cute is the frog and the lily pads!
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Intricate work but lovely execution, any progress is worthwhile with a project like that !
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Such beautiful stitching, love your colors.
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Oooh, love the frog and lily pads!
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It’s very pretty! Your colour choices are lovely. It’s a shame the pattern is a little tricky to read.
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I love the way the border turned out, it really does look like a summer garden in full bloom! I am like you, those dragonflies are calling me, can’t wait to see them in your color choices. 😊
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Ooh, just wait til you see the dragonflies, I stitched them last night and if I say so myself, they’re gorgeous!!
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I thought they would be, can’t wait to se them!
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This etui is gorgeous and your work is so beautiful.I’d love to do this pattern and really must go look in my Inspirations issues to find it. Maybe I’m taking on so much at the moment. Happy stitching Mandy xx
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Thanks Many, it’s issue no.93, one of last years, sometimes I feel I’ve got too many projects on but I like a bit of variety!
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I love the colours in this.
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Looks beautiful. I like the color choices.
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Your color choices are perfect…so lovely!
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Oh that is lovely! That twisted border is so pretty in those colours 🙂
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I see delphiniums, foxgloves and lavender in this one. All perfect shades of summer. It’s lovely!
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So beautiful! I’m afraid my eyesight would not permit me to do such lovely stitchery!
Thanks for linking up to Slow Sunday Stitching!
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I think the colors are perfect! Fantastic job 😀 That frog border is so cute too!
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I like the way the variegated floss is working up too! The purple will make for a lovely contrast to the lighter shades when all is said and done. The frog is so cute!
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Beautiful embroidery
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This is so beautiful. I love your color choices.
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Your stitching is so pretty.
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Three cheers for adding different types of stitches! I love those kinds of projects.
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That frog is so cute! This is a lovely embroidery!
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Purple in the summer garden? Well Margaret I have Clematis, aquilegia, Irises and many more, all in shades of purple so yes Purple needs to be in your summer garden. I adore this work.
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You’re right, I’ve got lots of purple in my garden 🙂
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I love those twisting interwoven “ribbons” in the banner — like a maypole. This is definitely what I think of when I think “English Country Garden” colors!
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I love the color variation. This will be a stunning project when you are finished!
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Thanks Mary, I do like the DMC variegated flosses 🙂
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