Well I’ve started my border, and now I’ve decided which border pattern to use it’s moving on fairly quickly. This blackwork pattern is last years free SAL from Peppermint Purple, Claire (the designer) did suggest a lovely colourway but I decided for my first try at blackwork I’d make it difficult for myself by making it into a picture of Catbells, my favourite place in the Lake District. Three weeks ago I’d just finished the main square…
My original thought for the border was to include the names of natural features on or around Catbells, such as Manesty Woods, Hause End, Derwentwater. These would be stitched with a leaf border in between the words. I started trying to plan it out, found a pretty leaf border in a book I’ve had for years, but when I started to stitch it it just didn’t look dense enough to look balanced with the rest of the piece. Never mind the fact that working out the spacing of the words was frazzling my brain! I’ve still to undo the bit I did so you can see what I mean.
I decided to use one of the borders Claire from Peppermint Purple suggested. I’ve used two colours, a darkish grey for most of it but a soft grey- green for the middle. I needed a colour that wasn’t too overpowering round the lighter areas, but held it’s own round the darker bits. I’m pretty pleased with it so far and it does grow surprisingly quickly. Here it is so far…
I’m still planning to add the word Catbells at the top and maybe my initials and the year at the bottom, both stitched within the lines of the border. I’ve just need to unpick the leaves so I can carry on round the corner. Hopefully I can start polishing my happy dance shoes soon!
This SAL is organised by Avis from Stitching by the Sea, we each post our progress on our chosen projects every three weeks, just often enough to keep the motivation going! Please follow the links to see what every one else is stitching.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen
thecraftycreek 
The border pattern is a perfect choice and adding a title and date etc. will finish it off a treat. I’m looking forward to the next update already 🙂
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I loved those leaves, but the new border is a great choice, and your title will look great with it!
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Both borders look great but do think you made the right choice to tie in with the rest of the stitching. Don’t waste time polishing the shoes we will never notice when you are wearing them . xx
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Love the border design – perfect!
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Oh I like the border design that you decided to stitch. I think borders are fairly easy as they are pretty repetitive. Enjoy your stiching. This piece is gorgeous!
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Thanks Cathie, though I’ve just realised too late that there’s a slight variation in the border to fit it in…oops!
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Margaret, I continue to be amazed with what you accomplish!
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I love it! The border is great and you have now inspired me to follow Peppermint Purple and maybe start on her 2022 SAL!
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That’s lovely, you’ll enjoy it 🙂
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what a lot of thought and stitching has gone into this! looking forward to applauding the happy dance!
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Very pretty and such intricate work! Get those shoes ready
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It’s looking so good! We’re excited to get our dance on with you 😀
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What an ambitious project.
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