I’ve not done as much on my actual book over the last three weeks, mainly due to Christmas preparations but also I’ve been stitching extra bees which I’ve already shared with you. I have however done some extra stitching on three of the pages I’d already put together.
There were three I wasn’t 100% happy with, the two white linen pages and the lavender pot….
With the lavender pot it was just the top purple strip I wasn’t happy with, it just needed a little something, so I just stitched a line of wide feather stitch which I think is enough…
The two white pages took a little longer…
It was the edges of the circles that I wasn’t happy with, they just didn’t look very neat. I decided to stitch a ring round each one using a different stitch. I used a cotton thread which I found in my stash, it was slightly heavier than a single DMC thread and I think it worked very well.
I started with the gold bee and used feather stitch again, just catching in the edge of the voile as I went round and making one side straight with the edge.
The bee surrounded by a wreath is also surrounded by feather stitch but this time I just had the tip of one ‘feather’ on the circle…feather stitch is probably one of my favourite stitches in case you hadn’t realised!!
The white work bee is surrounded by blanket stitch which hasn’t come out as well as I hoped but it’s staying. The last bee is edged with herringbone.
I also cut away the fabric behind the two larger embroideries which has helped reduce bulk so they press better…I’d also managed to stitch a daisy-headed pin inside one of them so I had to snip it out anyway!!
I’m much happier with these two pages now, the extra embroidery just seems to bring them together.
Over Christmas I’ll hopefully finish the final bee embroideries – definitely no more after these! I can then make the rest of the pages up and start putting them into order and making them into actual pages.
This SAL is organised by Avis, please follow the links to see what everyone else has been stitching;
Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret,
Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie,
Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen
thecraftycreek 
The feather stitching over the lavendar pot adds just enough flair to that fabric and ties in beautifully to the stitching next to the pot. I love how you have embellished the white pages. Is that an tablecloth or doily that you made the white pages from? All of these bees are just so beautiful.
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Thanks Cathie, the white pages are made from an old round tray cloth, I got it in a vintage shop for 50p as it had a couple of tears in the lace.
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This book is going to bee brilliant (sorry couldn’t resist)!
Everything looks so intricate and I like the way you have linked some pages. Like you I am fascinated by bees. Gorgeous – have a good Christmas if you are celebrating.
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Thanks Daisy, the pages are coming together. Merry Christmas 🙂
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So beautiful 🙂
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Thanks Sharon 🙂
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oops to stitching a pin inside lol. Your pages look beautiful.
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Thanks, I couldn’t believe it when I felt the pin! Merry Christmas 🙂
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I can’t wait to see it all together. Such a labour of love. Best wishes to you and your family for Christmas and the New Year 🙂
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I’m itching to start putting it together, just one more bee to do for the main book! Merry Christmas 🙂
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that looks lovely! No wonder the feather stitch is your favourite, the results look great indeed!
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Thanks Linda, I’m pleased with these pages.
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the two white pages are superb I think. I lost my Needle tonight again…had to find it because of the dogs
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Thank you, luckily my dog seems to avoid needles!
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Your work is so beautiful! God Jul!
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Beautiful ‘tweakings’
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Love this. Looking forward to seeing the bee book come together
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Those extra touches really do the trick, Margaret!
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