It’s three weeks since I last showed you my Finery of Nature cross-stitch, it’s a Dimensions kit which I’ve changed a little as I’m stitching it onto duck egg blue linen, rather than the black aida provided. This has meant a few more changes than I anticipated!
Three weeks ago I was steadily stitching the first quarter, having decided to ignore the god highlights on the pattern…
I think I’ve actually managed to do a respectable amount these last few weeks. I think the knack is that when I take it out to say Embroiderers Guild, I need to unpack my bag afterwards and put it back by my chair in the dining room, my sit and have a cup of coffee chair, or sit and have a sherry whilst tea is cooking chair!
The chickadee quarter is pretty much complete, I’ve added the forget-me-nots, a strawberry and some bluebells. I’m just working my way round the cornerof the top border, this has proved trickier than I anticipated, as I’ve had to unpick about three times! I got there in the end!
I’ve decided to leave off the gold highlights, with having a light background they didn’t add anything. I’m still undecided about the vein down the border swirls, though probabnly leaning more towards a dark teal. My latest conundrum is to do with French knots scattered throughout the design, a sort of background filler, they’re stitched in a gold coloured DMC thread mixed with a metalic gold. I did actually try the gold DMC but it didn’t do anything. At the moment I’m wondering about a variegated green DMC thread or a darker duck egg. I think I need to play, maybe next time…
This stitch-a-long is organised by Avis, we share our progress on our projects every three weeks, it’s a great motivator! If you would like to join us please send a message to Avis. For lots of stitching inspriration please follow the links below…
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Catherine, Deborah, Connie, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon
I’ll also be linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday, so please follow the links to see lots more stitching.
thecraftycreek 
It’s beautiful! I also admire your skill with cross stitching! 😊
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It is looking lovely!
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looking lovely, and that means you”re quarter way there!
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Hi ,sorry if I could not comment on your work, leave you a greeting, in the past few weeks.Due to a violent storm,my internet connection has failed and in addition to damaging the computer has created damage to the central cabin of the network.I hope you will excuse me.I like the colors you have chosen for your bird,and the nice patchwork..Beautiful garden!!
Hugs,Carmela
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It looks very great so far!
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This is gorgeous and looking forward to watching it grow Margaret.
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Lovely!! I cannot do cross stitch anymore, the charts get smaller every year, LOL!
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Cute bird…great for a spring project!
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I like the changes you’ve made thus far Margaret. That little bird surrounded by those flowers is a delight. You made some good progress!
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Your stitching is looking beautiful.
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that is a lovely piece you are working on
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Such a lovely project. Your stitching is very even and I admire you using linen to work on. I just find that too difficult to use!
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Truly this is the finery of nature! Great progress and beautiful work! ~ Sharon
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This design is beautiful and you’re doing a wonderful job bringing it to life! Sorry to hear about the challenging border. Can’t wait to see more!
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Spectacular as is usual for your work! I love the colors and that it embraces Spring!
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I can picture you having a sherry while a meal is cooking LOL. Don’t do any cross stitch while you’re getting tipsy! It’s looking brilliant so far 🙂
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So lovely… the colours you have chosen are working beautifully together!
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Great work Margaret and such a pretty project x
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The dark teal sounds like a good choice on the duck egg blue ground. It’ll be fun to see what you’ve decided to do about the veins and the French knots. 🙂
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Lovely design!! I have just picked cross stitch back up after a long hiatus filled with other needlecrafts. I have to say that it is a pleasure!!
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Beautiful design and stitching! So perfect for spring.
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Oh wow I wish I could see this in person. I bet a photo can’t do it justice!
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Beautiful progress! Unpicking is always such a chore. Your work is lovely!
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Great progress!
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Oh I was looking forward to seeing this one again. It is coming along so well…looks close to a finish. I also love your Splendid Sampler blocks in that very soft blue palette. You are quite talented!
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Thanks Jocelyn, unfortunately it’s no where near a finish, this is just a quarter of the design!
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Beautiful work!
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