Mountain Oak progress

I have made a bit of progress on the Mountain Oak...
I stitched the last two boughs, each of them different to the others so there is now lots of textures and stitch patterns within the tree.


My plan was to stitch the large leaf on the right next but I had not quite worked out the stitches and colours I wanted to use. While pondering how to stitch it, I embroidered the berries / acorns / persimmons in the same way and colours as the ones on the lower bough.
I still wasn't sure about the large leaf, so instead moved on to smaller leaf pair instead.


The two leaves are stitched with the same combination of stitches (fly, blanket, stem and French knots) but with a slight variation of shades. Then I added a tendril of chain stitch with back stitch worked into each chain over the top.
I had hoped to have worked out that leaf by now, but no - I was still not sure about the large leaf! On the up side, while I was stitching the smaller leaves I had an idea for the scalloped edge of the top leaf...


So, while still pondering, I moved on to the leaf at the top of the tree instead. I stitched the edge with close rows of stem stitch in four shades of green and then filled in the scallops with blanket stitch. I haven't used this combination of stitches for a scalloped edge before, but I a like the lacy effect.What do you think?
The middle has a sprig of blue and green - Not so sure about the blue! The more I looked at it the less I liked it...


... so I ripped it out and changed the colour. I think this is much better.

While all of this stitching was happening, I finally worked out what to do with that leaf that I had been pondering for so long...


The inner sections are a soft grey/yellow/green with a trellis of grass green and yellow couching over the top and the outer sections in long and short stitch in shades of soft blues similar to those used in the leaf on the opposite side of the tree.
All I need to do now if finish it.

Happy Stitching,
Anna X

Comments

  1. Anna, I don't do crewel work (can't afford the linen or wool thread these days) but I so enjoy seeing your work take shape as you ponder over colours and stitches. I especially love the lacy look of the finished leaves. So pretty! Can't wait to see the finished large leaf.

    How is Farmer John doing?

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    1. Thanks so much Erica, I am glad you enjoy it. Farmer John is getting to the end of treatment and we are looking forward to him recovering (hopefully quickly) Anna x

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    2. I do wish him a speedy and complete recovery Anna.

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  2. Beautiful ! The weather has been terrible ( England ), broke a nail bringing in split logs for the fire ...and now have flu..not able to do much needlework at the moment..so nice to see what you are doing ..really cheered me up .

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    1. I wish I could send some warmth and sunshine your way. Hope you feel better soon. Anna X

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  3. I like the lacy scallops very much! How did you do the cream colored thingee on the berries /acorns / persimmons?

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    1. Thanks Mary! The cream coloured 'thingiee' is a whipped spider's web. I love this stitch - there is a 'how to' here http://annascottembroidery.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/stitch-chat.html
      Anna X

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  4. I love your color choices and those tendrils give the piece a delicate look

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  5. Your work is amazing! I've always wanted to try crewel embroidery.

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    1. Thanks Megan - I always forget to check the 'awaiting moderation' page, so sorry I didn't see your comment sooner! :-(
      Crewel embroidery is fabulous because the stitches are endless so it never gets boring, and who knows what might happen now I have caught the Mini Bug... ?

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