It’s three weeks since I shared my finished Finery of Nature cross-stitch, it still gives me a warm glow when I see it in our bedroom! I’ve decided my next two projects here need to be my UFO’s. Last year I went on some workshops at Fabbadashery in Halifax, one of them was by Anne Brooke. She started us off on her design called Harold the Hare.
I have kept at it, albeit very slowly! I tended to work on it at my Embroiderers Guild meeting, so that’s at least one day a month!! Last time I showed it to you was in October, this is as far as I’d got…
Last night I dug it out again. I think one reason I kept shelving it was that I couldn’t get certain bits as good as I would have liked. I was happy with his eyes, but not his nose. I had followed the instructions and stitched a line of stem stitch around his nose, but that just seemed to look like a dark band. My eye was constantly drawn to it.
I decided last night to try and rectify it. I started by using a couple of threads of dark brown to do long and short sitch over the stem stitch, trying to merge it a bit into the surrounding areas.All the main stitching is done with three threads, so quite chunky for me.
Over-stitching the line helped, but it still wasn’t right, but at least I knew I was going in the right direction. I then tried a single thread of lighter brown floss, again doing long and short stitch, trying to merge it more. It’s not perfect but I’m a lot happier with it.
I then started filling in the body, I’m just using a mix of browns which I happen to have in my stash. The kit provided just used one range of brown, it was the DMC ones around 05 or 06, I felt it needed some warmer tones in as well. At one point I was thinking if I can get his head and shoulders right, I might just shrink the design, but last night I made a fair bit of progress, so we shall see.
Next I need to tackle the ears!
This stitch-a-long is organised by Avis, we share our progress every three weeks, it’s a great motivator! If you would like to join our little party, please send Avis a message. Otherwise please follow the links to see what everyone has been stitching at this crazy time!
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura, Cathie, Linda
I’ll also be linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday, please follow the link to more hand-stitched inspiration.
thecraftycreek 
Have to agree, Harolds nose is much improved and looks more like a part of him than something put there as an afterthought Margaret . Well done.
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Thanks, I’m much happier with him, just got to sort his ears out now!
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You are doing such a good job, his new nose is looking ready to wiggle! xx
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Your Harold the Hare is adorable. Just look at those eyes…beautiful and I think he has a cute nose. =) Love the background you have stitched.
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Thanks Kim, I do like his eyes! The background is actually pre-printed – waiting for me to embellish and embroider it!
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He is looking handsome now!
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Cute! His eyes are quite startingly real!
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Very cute – adorable eyes and you have made a good job of his nose.
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Excellent work! Color placements really makes the Rabbit come alive
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much improved nose. The faint hint of the darker thread beneath give just enough definition and dimension now, without the harsh line from before.
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I love Harold. I can relate to not liking something after stitching it. You have to fix whatever bothers you because like you said it will bother you every time you look at it!
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I like the changes you made to the nose. It makes him look more lifelike. Keep at it. I think you will love it when you are done.
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Harold is looking quite dapper now, your blending work was exactly what he needed. I do love those eyes! This is a challenging project, but oh so worth the effort. I’m glad you are keeping busy through all this, and your garden will certainly reward you for the extra attention!
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Sometimes one just needs to back away from a project before a solution will come. Turns out that your solution for the nose was simple and effective. The hare will be wonderful when you are finished with it, Margaret! 🙂
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This is so effective! I’m hopeless at anything like this so I really admire your skills 🙂
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It’s amazing how much the long and short stitches changes the overall appearance of his nose. He looks super furry now, just like a real bunny!
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It’s funny how our eyes focus on one thing we think is off, whatever you did to fix ‘it’ for you, Harold looks awesome, he is quite a handsome hare!
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Harold is lovely. I think he looks great!
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I love Harold!
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Oh my goodness! This Bun is absolutely adorable! Love how you fixed his nose, it looks much better. Fantastic job so far, looking forward to seeing your progress.
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Wow! He’s fabulous!
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Harold is adorable.
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He is lovely and his nose is not so prominent now, which suits him better.
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Harold the Hare is gorgeous. We all love him!
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That hare is so cute!! Good for you for persevering:)
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Harold is looking lovely!
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He is a cute little fellow!
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Beautiful work! He has great texture.
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That is amazing! I guess now is the time to dig out the old projects and work on them!
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Your hare is darling! The changes you made to the nose are spot on. He’s so cute! I’m a bit late to visit, so I was able to enjoy your more recent posts, as well. I love seeing all of your wonderful crafts, the photos of your garden (the mouse is adorable), and the clothes you have made. Beautiful work all around!
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