It’s three weeks since I shared my progress on my last big piece for my embroidered garden book. I’ve not done as much as I wanted, mainly because I’m having increasing issues with neuralgia in my arm at the moment and I think my usual habit of sitting on the sofa hand-stitching on an evening doesn’t help. I’m trying to limit myself for a short while – it’s hard when everything you like to do either impacts on or is affected by health issues! I tend to do what I want and live with the consequences, but occasionally I put my sensible hat on and give myself a break!
Three weeks ago I was busy stitching the rose bush which grows over the arbour…
I’ve not done a huge amount of stitching but I have put blobs of colour on where shrubs and bushes are, these are hand-painted calico stuck on with bondaweb. Psychologically these help a lot as they suddenly reduce the amount of empty space to be filled with stitching, even though I’ll be stitching over them.
I’ve stitched a few of my gorgeous velvety deep purple irises which are in flower at the moment and I’ve started some foxgloves in the corner by the roses. The foxgloves are a little artistic license as there seemed to be a big gap to the left of the rose, I do need to fill out the rose a bit but I didn’t fancy doing the whole lot, so I added some tall foxgloves!
I think this one is going to be stitched slightly different to the others perspective – wise, the other two embroideries have worked out better imagining I’m stood in the middle of the garden with plants ‘fanning out’. Whereas I think this one is better stood on the path looking down the garden, so everything will be stood straight. Hopefully next time you see this there will be a few more plants stitched.
Stitch-a-long
This stitch-a-long is organised by Avis from Stitching by the Sea, we post our progress every three weeks on our individual projects, it’s just enough to keep me motivated! Please follow the links to see what every one else is stitching.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret,
Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy,
AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, Cindy, MaryMargaret
thecraftycreek 
Margaret, you have really captured the color and shape of the irises! Take care of yourself; it is hard to Rest, it worth the effort in the long term, as you well know. Hang in there!
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Love your stitchery project, and that iris is beautiful!
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I love your stitched irises. I don’t think I have ever seen one with such a dark purple color. I love it! I hope you can ease your arm issues with some rest. I recently realized that one of my favorite stitching spots really aggravates my back issues, so I am looking to find other places to plant my stitching self throughout the day. Perhaps you can find a different stitching spot or stitch in shorter time spans.
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The roses over the arbor is so gorgeous. Hope your arm feels a bit better…take your time, no rush to finish this fabulous project
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Hope your arm feels better soon, I know how frustating it can be but rest is a good cure, albeit temporary. I love all the stitching ideas in this book – cannot wait to see finished result.
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oh wow, your stitched iris look almost as gorgeous as the real thing!
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Love this project, but rest up. No point in aggravating the arm further
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Beautiful flower, love the color!
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I know it’s hard but you are doing what’s necessary to heal and that means a lot from a stitcher! I hope your arm feels better soon! The irises are beautiful and the scenery will be magical!
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You’ve made a great start. I love foxgloves and so do the bees 🙂
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I love all the different techniques you have used – and the ribbon work Iris are perfect!
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Thank you, the irises are actually just in DMC thread, I went through the loop twice as I wanted in a little thicker.
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