Three weeks ago it was happy dance time as I had just finished the second of three detailed embroideries for my garden book…

…which means I’ve just got the Amber and Amethyst garden to do.
It took me a while to plan this one as I wasn’t sure how much to include, just behind this area is the autumn bed where the chickens used to be, I’ve also just started planting up another corner here with gold leafed plants. It was difficult getting the proportions right in the space I had on a page. In the end I’ve just concentrated on the AA garden.
This is the area I’m trying to portray, it’s the left-hand side of the garden.




We have a thick beech hedge at the back and walls of varying heights on the two sides, gravel in the middle with a split log roll edge. I used the smudgy cotton background again as it does help to break up the background a bit, I’ve got calico behind as a stabiliser.
I decided to use a pretty beige print as the gravel, it’s actually tiny flowers but I think it works pretty well. At the moment I’ve just edged it with back-stitch, it’s stuck on with bondaweb. I’ll probably go round the outer edge with a brown chain stitch for the log roll.

At first I was just going to use green running stitch for the hedge, maybe two or three rows, a bit like I did for the fences in the other pieces. However I realised that the hedge was too much an integral part of the garden and in particular the arbour, so I found a green fabric which I’ve just blanket stitched down one edge and a running stitch down the back.
The arbour took a bit of thinking, in the end I decided to couch some heavier thread for all the main beams and uprights. I’m still not sure I’ve got the proportions right but it’s staying! I’ve still to suss out how I’m stitching the chair underneath.
I’ve started the climbing rose, I need to make it wider and add some clematis too, but at least I’ve made a start.
Stitch-a-long
This SAL is organised by Avis, from Stitching by the Sea, we post our progress on a project every three weeks, just enough to keep the motivation going! Please follow the links to see what everyone else is stitching…
Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret,
oooh I didn’t realise there was going to be another page!
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Last one methinks :-)…oh and a map to do but that shouldn’t take long!
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I love how you stitched that beautiful trellis. I look forward to seeing this garden emerge. I really liked the overview photo of your garden. You must really love working with plants.
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Thanks Cathie, I do love gardening, I’m a bit of a fair weather gardener though đŸ™‚
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Blimey where does your garden end?! Beautiful project nonetheless it never stops giving !
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Hi, the end is just in front of the trees, there’s a fence along the back đŸ™‚
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This is a great start MArgaret! It will be another wonderful addition to your book!
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Thanks Kathy
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I so envy you for having that sized garden. Mine is what you call a pocket handkerchief garden and you could lose it in that space. x
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It is a fairly big garden, there are advantages in smaller ones though đŸ™‚
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Such a fabulous project – love this!
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Thank you
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A great beginning to another beautiful page! đŸ™‚
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Thanks Laura, I’m pleased with it so far
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Good luck with your fourth page. You really have a beautiful garden!
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Thank you, it’s always a bit daunting at the beginning, too much space to fill!
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I love your real garden and appreciate how much work you must put into it. I’d never want to go on holiday because I could just lose myself in there with the bees and dragonflies đŸ™‚ Your stitched version is going to be a treasure.
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Thanks, I love just sitting and listening to the birds
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This is going to be another fantastic page and your real garden is gorgeous. Must take a lot of work.
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Thank you, the garden is rather a lot of work but at least I’ve got some help now đŸ™‚
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The flower gravel works fabulously.
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Thanks, I think so too đŸ™‚
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