It’s three weeks since I last shared my progress on my Peppermint Purple blackwork. This is the free SAL that Claire from Peppermint Purple has kindly published for at least the last two years. She gives layout options and colour suggestions then releases a pattern each week. They’re only little so it doesn’t take long. This years SAL has just started, if you fancy trying blackwork it’s a good way to test the water and see how the different patterns work.
Last time I’d just done some frogging as my reflection of Catbells in the lake was rapidly disappearing…
As all the patterns have now been released I decided to stitch the reflection first and then go back to complete the rest of the squares. I’ve not spent a lot of time on it as I’ve been concentrating on my gingerbread house, like I didn’t pick it up til yesterday afternoon! However it is starting to take shape…
I’ve not found it easy choosing the colours for the water, colours often look quite dark but with just one thread they lighten considerably. I decided to use pretty light grey’s for the squares on the skyline, even so they’re not as light as they look once stitched. At the moment I’m thinking I’ll outline the top of Catbells maybe in a darker grey and then outline the reflection in more of a mid grey, just to make it show up a bit more. This is the piece so far…
In my last post I forgot that many of you won’t have heard of Catbells! Catbells is one of my favourite hills in the English Lake District, I first climbed under my own steam when I was four years old and I’ve climbed it many times since. It’s a hill that thinks it’s a mountain! It’s not an easy walk, especially now with all the erosion and rocks polished smooth by thousands of visitors but the views from the top are amazing, over to Skiddaw and Blencathra, Bassenthwaite Lake, Borrowdale, Newlands Valley and of course Derwentwater. In my younger days I walked to the top to watch the sunrise, it was stunning with mist forming over the lake, the sun rose over Blencathra and everything was bathed in a golden light.
I’ve often stitched Catbells as it has a nice recognisable outline and it means a lot to me…
This SAL group is organised by Avis from Stitching by the Sea, please follow the links to see what everyone else has been stitching over the festive season…
Avis, Claire, Gun, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen
thecraftycreek 
not an easy challenge you’ve set yourself there ^^
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never seem to take the easy route 🙂
LikeLike
This looks so hard, but I think you have the right combo of colors now, I am seeing the reflection much better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good, I think it’s coming together now, though I still think it will need a gentle outline.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you have given yourself a difficult challenge but it really looks great. The pics bring back great memories
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never make life easy for myself
We’ll have to go up again sometime, though we’ll have to go up from the Grange end as I terrified myself when I went up with Helen in September!
LikeLike
Wow! You have filled in several squares in the past 3 weeks! The Catbells are lovely and you have captured them in so many fabulous ways. Beautiful work on all of these!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, hopefully next time I’ll have made even more progress!
LikeLike
The colors are so soft and muted and perfect! I actually looked up Catbells last time as I was not aware fo what they were. I just love your project and you made great progress 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, it’s coming together.
LikeLike
I love Catbells too and every one of your versions is beautiful. You’re so talented!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I think a lot of people have a soft spot for Catbells and it has a nice recognisable outline!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought I recognised those embroideries ~ they are your beautiful contribution to the Travelling Sketchbook! (That was such a wonderful thing to be involved with, and I occasionally wonder what to do with the finished book….) Your current project is looking so good, but it must be giving your brain a good workout!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Travelling sketchbook was a wonderful project to be a part of. I’m certainly having to think with this blackwork!
LikeLike
If you didn´t mention Catbells and showed us the photos, I might not have seen the beauty in your project! It´s stunning!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, this is why I think it needs an outline, it’s not quite clear enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely Catbells photos and pieces inspired by it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tierney
LikeLiked by 1 person
You certainly have a wonderful love affair with Catbells. It’s nice to put the beauty of nature into so many different art forms. I love your work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Catbells certainly has a special place in my heart!
LikeLike
What a gorgeous view, both your stitching and the Catbells!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I know what I was looking for I can see it taking shape quite clearly Margaret. Thanks for the explanation last time when I said I was going to look them up. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year. Looks like you have been busy and achieved a lot. Love the views too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am really enjoying this SAL. Thanks again for the recommendation
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you’re enjoying it, it’s a good way to try out lots of stitches.
LikeLiked by 1 person