I’ve made pretty good progress over the last three weeks with my Finery of Nature cross-stitch. When I last shared it with you I’d finally decided on the back-stitched colour in the border (dark blue), but I still had a few flowers and half of the border to do on this quarter…
It’s time for another mini happy dance as I’ve finished this quarter, flowers done, border stitched, finito…
This means I’ve reached another major milestone, I’m half way through this cross-stitch, though as you can see, I still need to do the back-stitching on the first half of the border, I’m ignoring that fact and doing another happy dance! You can also see where I’ve just started the next section…
The next quarter is one of my favourites, it’s a beautiful humming bird. I think these tiny birds are so beautiful, I’d love to see one for real in the wild, I think I may have seen one once in a tropical house in a zoo, but it’s a very hazy memory.
I thought this bit would be fairly easy to do as there’s quite a lot using few colours, but the staggered arrangement for the wings meant I was easily confused! Anyway I eventually had an idea and stitched the dark green area just so I had a clear area to work from, it did help. This area has grown pretty quickly…
I’m hoping this quarter will be stitched a bit quicker than the nest, that was a bit like hard work!
This stitch-a-long is organised by Avis from Stitching by the Sea, we each post our progress every three weeks, it’s a great motivator! Please follow the links to see what every one else has been stitching, and if you would like to join our merry band, just contact Avis.
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, Susan, Anne
I’ll also be linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday, please follow the links for more hand-stitching inspiration.
thecraftycreek 
So pretty!
I once stayed at a Retreat centre up in the mountains in Colorado and they had bird feeders for hummingbirds there – such a wonderful sound and sight. Hope you do get to see some in the wild.
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Sounds wonderful
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Yes, it really was. 🙂
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You are doing great.
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Thanks Kathy, it’s coming on nicely
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Wow, you have had a productive few week! Looks great.
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Thanks, I’ve kept at it with a few minutes here and there – they add up!
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Such a pretty cross stitch, you find the nicest projects.
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Thanks Cathy, this one was on the sales table at Embroiderers Guild
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I’m looking forward to that humming bird. I’ve seen them in the Caribbean, tiny and iridescent. The sound of their wings is extraordinary, like a giant bumblebee.
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I didn’t realise they made such a noise!
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It’s not loud, but there’s a distinct buzz
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looking good, and such a good project for the SAL as you can really break it down into sections.
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It does help to keep the enthusiasm going when you can break it down into sections 🙂
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I am loving watching this project. Its really my kind of thing. I have seen then once or twice in Asia but they are so tiny and so quick you could so easily miss them. x
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I love the dragonfly! This is all so pretty. We have hummingbirds here all summer–one flew up close and looked me in the eye recently, and then flitted away!
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Sounds wonderful
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The nest turned out beautifully! It does look a bit challenging to stitch! We have hummingbirds in our yard all the time. They love the flowers in our garden. We were at a restaurant on Manitoulin Island last summer where we ate on the porch. They had several hummingbird feeders and dozens of hummingbirds were flitting about. Great entertainment!
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Thanks Gail, I think I need to plan a holiday around hummingbirds!
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Fabulous! You made great progress. We have hummingbird at our feeders. They are fun to watch flitting around like they do 🙂
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You’re all making me so jealous with talk of humming birds in the garden 🙂
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Beautiful work!
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Thank you, I’m pleased with it so far
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Looking gorgeous. I would have rushed on to the hummingbird myself they’re such pretty birds !
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Thanks, it was tempting to start with the hummingbird!
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When I viewed your post it took my breadth away – and I muttered out loud – just gorgeous! We have humming birds all the time and feeders for these beauties can be spotted in yards all over 🙂 Sharon
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Thanks, you’re all making me so jealous with your backyard hummingbirds 🙂
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Lovely workmanship. I certainly would be confused on the wings.
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Thanks Jill – it looked fairly simple til I started stitching it!!
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Beautiful stitching, I love seeing this coming to life!
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Thanks Karrin, it’s coming along nicely
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The dragonfly and nest are fabulous and your hummingbird is off to a gorgeous start! We have hummingbirds visit on occasion. While weeding our garden earlier this summer, one that flew so close past me that the sound of the wings made me jump. They are lovely!
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Thanks Renee, they look beautiful
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Wow! Lots of progress again 🙂 I love the damselfly. It reminded me of the Ruddy Darter that I chased around the garden this week, trying to get a photo of it. Now I want a pond!
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Thanks Avis, we get a few round our pond, though it’s only little
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Excellent progress! It does help to have some kind of “anchor” point to work from, doesn’t it? We have a resident hummer that visits outside my studio window frequently. It’s one of the bigger and duller varieties but still pretty amazing to see.
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Thanks Sue, cross-stitch like this I need an ‘anchor’ – great description 🙂
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Wow, you got loads done this time. I love that dragonfly!
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Thanks Carole
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That is looking great Margaret! The blue on the border really works well!
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Thanks Kathy, it just stands out enough
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Congratulations on the mini happy dance! Your project is beautiful. Can’t wait to see the hummingbird.
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Thank you 🙂
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As Cathy says, you choose the prettiest embroideries. This one is a darling. I love the dragonfly too. I agree that a hummingbird would be a sight to behold.
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Thanks Anne, it’s coming along nicely
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This is looking so nice!!!!!
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Thank you, it’s coming on nicely
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So lovely!😍
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Thanks Deb
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That is very spectacular! You obviously have incredible patience and focus!
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Thanks Tierney, I’m pretty patient, I also find it pretty addictive 🙂
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So beautiful! The blue outlining is just right, too. We have resident hummingbirds in our back garden; they’re very territorial and squabble over the flowers on our butterfly bush. We can always hear them before we see them — their wings make such a buzz, like a stag beetle.
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Thanks, you’re all making me so jealous having hummingbirds in the back garden 🙂
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Absolutely beautiful stitching! Take your time and enjoy each pretty stitch!
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Thanks Kathy, I am enjoying this one
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