The Finery of Nature SAL

Posted on June 9, 2019 by craftycreeky

It’s three weeks since I shared my Finery of Nature cross-stitch, I’d just done a mini happy dance having completed the first quarter…

The Finery of Nature

As you can see I had just started the second quarter with a lily of the valley. This is a kit by Dimensions, though it’s meant to be on black aida, I’ve changed to duck-egg blue linen as it’s so much easier on the eyes! It has meant a couple of colour changes though.

The second quarter has a birds nest with three eggs and a huge beautiful dragonfly which looks like it’s about to eat said eggs!! I’ve managed to get a fair bit done over the last couple of weeks.

I started on the nest, it’s one of those where you can get all of one colour stitched before you move onto the next colour – I find that quite satisfying! It’s a bit yellowy at the moment, I’m hoping the remaining colours and the back-stitching will tone it down a bit. The inside of the nest is stitched with half cross-stitch, I’m never sure about mixing the two, I always feel the half cross-stitch should be in the same direction as the upper cross-stitch, but instructions always have it the other way – I double checked!

The Finery of Nature

I’m hoping this quarter will move on fairly quickly as there isn’t so many individual flowers as there was round the bird.

This stitch-a-long is organised by Avis from Sewing by the Sea. We choose our own project and post every three weeks, it’s a great incentive and motivator! Please follow the links to see lots of inspiring embroidery.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Catherine, Deborah, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon

I’m also linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday, please follow the link for more hand-stitching inspiration.

About craftycreeky

I live in a busy market town in Yorkshire with my husband, kids, dogs and chickens. I love trying new crafts, rediscovering old ones, gardening, walking...anything creative really I started this blog after my New Year resolution worked so well. My resolution (the first one I've ever kept!) was to post a photograph of my garden on Facebook every day. My hope was that I would then see what was good in the garden and not just weeds and work, which was my tendency. The unexpected side-effect was that I have enjoyed many more hours in the garden. I am hoping that 'The Crafty Creek' will have the same effect. Happy creating!
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35 Responses to The Finery of Nature SAL

  1. Gail says:
    June 9, 2019 at 9:28 am

    Very pretty! I love how each colour adds a new dimension to the project.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. wybrow1966 says:
    June 9, 2019 at 9:47 am

    The colours are very pretty!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. claire93 says:
    June 9, 2019 at 12:32 pm

    yes I’ve sometimes wondered about the half stitch effect, but it always looks nice on the finished piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. kathyreeves says:
    June 9, 2019 at 2:14 pm

    I cross stitch backwards, so I guess my half stitches match! 😆 I don’t know why I do, I just always start right to left. I look forward to seeing the final nest. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Pyros & Patch says:
    June 9, 2019 at 3:00 pm

    Hi! It becomes more and more beautiful and interesting! Good cross-stitch and good summer!
    Carmela

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Quilter Kathy says:
    June 9, 2019 at 3:46 pm

    Can’t wait to see how this progresses… fun to see it mid way through!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Sewing Beside the Sea says:
    June 9, 2019 at 5:15 pm

    I’m wondering if you’re left handed. My Mum always stitched right to left and she was left handed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Deb A says:
    June 9, 2019 at 5:20 pm

    This is so fun to watch the progress every 3 weeks. Makes me want to search and find the cross stitch I know I have half way done somewhere in my house…..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. Carole says:
    June 9, 2019 at 5:39 pm

    You’ve made great progress on this. I think the half-stitches look fine whichever way round they’re done, as long as you’re consistent.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. gingerninjacrafts says:
    June 9, 2019 at 6:50 pm

    It’s looking beautiful Margaret, can’t wait to see your nest all finished x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. Karrin L. Capps Hurd says:
    June 9, 2019 at 6:51 pm

    Love your project! You have made great progress!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. nwpaintedlady says:
    June 9, 2019 at 8:41 pm

    Dancing along with you ~ it is looking so lovely. I love the softness of the colors too.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Jocelyn Thurston says:
    June 9, 2019 at 9:44 pm

    This is just so pretty and so fitting for the season now which has caught up to your work! I have only ever seen half cross stitch done the way you have it there.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. Kim Sharman says:
    June 9, 2019 at 11:07 pm

    I totally understand why you are doing a happy dance with the finishing of your Finery of Nature quarter. It is beautiful. Love the sweet birdie. I look forward to seeing the next quarter you are working on.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. rutigt says:
    June 10, 2019 at 9:42 am

    It´s looking great!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. Lindashee says:
    June 10, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    Very pretty 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Renee says:
    June 22, 2019 at 4:57 am

    Beautiful progress! The nest is looking great. I am eager to see the dragonfly reveal itself!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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