I started this little cross-stitch back at the start of November, it was a kit I bought at Bonds in Farsley – three for £5, I found two pretty blue designs and was struggling to find a third kit for my bargain price. The assistant pointed this one out, it’s got a sort of old-fashioned quaintness about it. I also thought that as the flowers are more peach/orange, it will spread from summer to autumn for my smalls display! I think it was a Lanarte kit, I saved the pack for this moment, but having just totally reorganised my sewing room I’ve mislaid it!
I changed the aida provided for some evenweave linen, not sure what colour this is officially, it’s an off white, light stone sort of colour. It would have been fairly quick to stitch if I didn’t have so many other projects on the go, as it was it was December before it was finished and it had to wait til last night to be made into a small.
I found some green quilting cotton in my stash and played around a bit with trims before I finally decided on the narrow ivory lace and the beige tape. Having stitched it together and stuffed it I felt it needed something else. I tried some buttons in the corners but that didn’t work, so they got unpicked.
This morning I decided to try beads, I fished out my bead box, had a rummage and found these lovely amber coloured beads, they’re from a mixed colour set from Hobbycraft and they’ve proved very useful over time. I found some tiny green ones which were a similar shade to the cotton as well as the flower bead. Ideas began to formulate…
I stitched an amber bead in each corner, using a tiny green bead to help secure it. For one top corner I went through the amber bead, then picked up just over an inch of the tiny green ones, the flower and finally a peach mini bead, I then threaded the needle back down the line of green beads as far as the amber one. I then picked up another good inch of green beads, finishing with a bright blue one which had escaped into the green bead pot, it just happened to be the same shade as the flower jug. I added a bird charm before returning back through the line of beads and securing the thread back in the small.
Job done! It’s just enough to finish it without overwhelming the design, the beads aren’t quite so bright as they look with camera flash! I think this will be the last cross-stitch finish of 2019, it will be all ready when summer and autumn 2020 arrive!
thecraftycreek 
It’s darling. I love the addition of the flower bead and bird charm. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Margaret, I love this little cushion, the amber beads as perfect. I need to make some stitching plans. When will you do your goals post for 2020, I’m looking forward to it. regards Mandy xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mandy, I’m just mulling a few ideas over for my 2020 goals, I’m hoping to post the final results of this year later this week, followed by next years challenge!
LikeLike
What a beautiful piece! I like the beads and how you finished it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sweet. I really like the beads.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Super sweet, Margaret! 🙂
LikeLike
What a cute little project. Nice to have another one done before 2019 is behind us. Happy new year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So cute and I love your tiny charms which just add that extra touch
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just gorgeous. And… and I recognise the design, it once featured a long long time ago as one of those kits on the front of a magazine. I know cos I stitched it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would never have thought to add the bright blue bead, but it works perfectly. I love this small.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Neither would I if it hadn’t fallen into the wrong pot!!
LikeLike
Very pretty, it would make a lovely pincushion. The little extras make it special.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love every small you make 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The beads were the perfect endpoint! I would love to see a photo of your trim collection, your bits and pieces look like what we used to be able to buy when there were real fabric stores around!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty handwork!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That little pillow is sweet! The green fabric compliments the piece nicely 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a precious little small, Margaret! Love the colours you’ve chosen, and the combinations in the finished piece are perfect❣️
LikeLiked by 1 person