It’s three weeks since I last shared my Finery of Nature cross-stitch with you and if I say so myself, I’ve made pretty good progress!
Three weeks ago I was still deliberating over the colour of the back-stitching on the border. This is what happens when you change the colour of the background fabric from black to soft green, it’s easier on the eyes but harder on the decisions!! Having tried several different colours on the top row I still wasn’t sure…
I’ve now found a colour I’m happy with, in the end I took the whole thing down to Hobbycraft and played with their skeins. I bought four dark colours to try – I’ve found a big gap in the DMC colour range, there is no really dark grey, like a deep charcoal grey!The shade I found works is a really dark blue, a sort of midnight blue. It’s dark enough to feature whilst not being as hard as the black.
I finally finished all the back-stitching on the nest, I also added a soft taupe as a back-stitch round the wings. I’ve almost finished the flowers, though I mustn’t forget the french knots on the lily of the valley. Hopefully next time will be a mini happy dance as I finish this quarter and move onto the hummingbird.
This SAL is organised by Avis, we post our progress every three weeks, it’s a great motivator. If you would like to join us please send a message to Avis. For lots of hand-stitched inspiration, please follow the links;
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon
I’ll also be linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday, a weekly celebration of all things hand stitched.
thecraftycreek 
I just love this project of yours, so pretty. Getting the right colours is a tricky business. I think you nailed it.
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Thanks, I’m happy with the blue.
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that’s a lot of progress – well done!
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Thanks Claire, it’s coming on nicely
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Absolutely beautiful. Such lovely cross stitching! Pretty pattern also!
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Thanks, it’s a lovely design
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Beautiful Cross Stitching!
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Thank you, I’m enjoying stitching this one.
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Beautiful stitching, the piece is stunning!
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Thank you, it’s a lovely design.
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Both the dragonfly and the nest are very beautiful, a very suitable color of leaves is well defined!
Good work! Carmela
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Thanks, it’s coming together 🙂
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Your stitching is lovely, and I think the dark blue is a good choice! 🙂
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Thanks Laura, I didn’t even try the other three I bought, I was happy with that one.
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Such fine cross stitches on your linen. Lovely work!
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Thanks Jill, it’s 32 count linen, so not too bad at 16 stitches to the inch – I can’t do 18 stitches any more 🙂
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The dark blue is a perfect choice 🙂 Well done on all the progress.
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Thanks Avis, I’m happy with the blue.
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Really pretty stitching!
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Thanks
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So so so lovely! Colors beautiful together. Your stitching is so perfect!
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Thanks, I’m enjoying this project
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Beautiful stitching
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Thank you
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So pretty, you’ve made great choices with the colours and those wings are stunning with the backstitching x
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Thank you, it would be so much easier if I just followed the pattern!!!
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Ah but you will have a unique project! xx
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This is looking lovely!
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Thanks, I’m enjoying this one 🙂
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Hello Margaret, Your cross stitch is beautiful, it’s such a lovely pattern. You’ve inspired me to start cross stitching again. Now if you could just inspire me to be a little bit more disciplined I’d be very happy. Regards Mandy xx
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Lovely to hear you’ve started cross-stitching again, my one tip would be to keep it out and available and be happy to stitch for short intervals, I’ll stitch for 10 minutes will my coffee cools, or 5 minutes will the carrots cook, you may only get a few stitches done, but it all adds up.
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Thank you Margaret xx
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Definitely a good choice with the blue thread. I always struggle to pick the right colour of fabric. It’s tricky making sure that all the colours will be visible enough but you’ve done a grand job 🙂
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That blue works wonderfully, just enough dark to set the contrast! I love that dragon fly too!
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Beautiful progress! The blue for your back stitching was a great choice 😀
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That blue really looks great for the back-stitching. This piece is really pretty.
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I really like the way you handled the dragonfly’s wings. This piece is such a pleasure to see. 🙂
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Great progress!
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So pretty. Lots of progress. The backstitching always makes such a big difference doesn’t it?
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It’s amazing the difference adding those fine lines have made, gorgeous
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Such a pretty project. A shame about the lacking of the right colour.
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Thanks Catherine, I was surprised they didn’t have a very dark grey
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