Happy Holidays...

I finished the pinks.


I was determined to finish the stitching before Christmas and the last few stitches went in only a few minutes ago... about the time it takes to snap a few pictures.
There was a bit of 'reverse stitching' involved towards the end but I am really, really happy with how this turned out.


The left hand flower spray is stitched to mirror the one on the lower left, only the choice of stitches vary. 

The pair of leaves in the middle were next. It took a little bit of experimentation, but the end result was worth a bit of restitching. 


I was happy with the way the double blanket stitch worked for one half of the leaf, but had at first stitched the other side with blanket stitch veins and knots (French or colonial, I can't remember).


Looking at it, I felt it had ended up looking too busy, so I ripped that out and filled it with satin stitch instead. I like these and I am pretty sure I will be using this stitch combination for future projects


The last thing to finish was the right hand flower - the one that is paisley shaped.
I had a pretty good idea of what to do about the flower itself. Satin stitch for the 'seedpods', grading from light to dark pink. I wanted a really smooth look for the band along the left hand side and ended up with close rows of stem stitch. I worked a small trellis for the curled under tip and added seed stitch around the seed pods. I now have seed stitch in all three flowers, which makes a nice visual similarity between the three. 
Then came the leaves... ???


... I really wasn't sure how to go about them. I had drawn them up as more 'solid' shapes, with no detail other than the wide centre vein. At first I started filling them in with long and short stitch, thinking it might be nice to grade the shades but it just didn't look right. 
The I remembered that the leaves on my Purple Grace were similar, lobed shapes to I embroidered these ones in a similar way. It works. Dainty and pretty. 
I guess there is no need to reinvent the wheel if something works, LOL.

So, really it was finished, except...


... the keen observer would have noticed a change since I last showed you the project. The blue is gone.
With everything else complete, the teeny, weeny bit of turquoise suddenly looked out of place. I have restitched that in other colour; dark pink for the three little leaves and a soft green along the stem. 

I really didn't expect to finish this piece before Christmas, and it is really nice to have it done. The notes are well under way, so I am planning to have it available as a kit early in the new year. I will be calling it SWEET REPOSE.. What do you think? 

For now, I am going to have a little break. I have decided to take a bit of time out, between Christmas and New Year (shock, horror) - I might stitch if I feel like it, and I may not.. 

Thank you so much for your support and interest in what I stitch, and for your comments and encouragement along the way. It really means a lot!!!


For now, I wish you all a happy and hopefully relaxed Holiday Season, in company of family and friends. If you travel - stay safe.

Best Stitches 
Anna XX








Comments

  1. Beautiful ! Happy Christmas to you and your elfs :)

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    1. Thanks so much. I hope you too have a wonderful Christmas.
      Anna

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  2. Hi Anna! The "pinks" turned out lovely! I know how hard it can be to work in a different color palette than your usual one... outside the comfort zone! It looks beautiful! I admire your ability to choose a stitch and then change your mind... clearly you have a finely tuned sense of what is needed... I tend more to dithering and not being decisive! LOL! Have a Wonderful Holiday with as much stitching as your Dreams desire!

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    1. Yes it surprises me again and again just how much we tend to move inside the same little comfort square. Despite my 'trouble' I am pretty happy with the result and I am glad you like it too.
      Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas.
      Anna

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  3. It's so beautiful, and I especially love the paisley flower! Sweet Repose is a lovely name, but maybe Serendipity might work for the way everything came together? It looks so lively, almost like the flowers are dancing in the wind :) Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderfully Creative New Year!

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    1. I am so terrible at naming my pieces but I really like 'Serendipity'...
      Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas
      Anna

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  4. Hi Anna! The pink colors turned out so lovely. I love the whole embroidery and the design.
    Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday!
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Thank you so much I llona.
      Sending warm wishes for a wonderful Christmas
      Anna x

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  5. Anna, this is a lovely design and I am hoping I will be well enough to stitch it sometime in the near future.

    I enjoy reading all your posts so keep them coming please.

    Happy Christmas to you and yours, may you have a wonderful and fulfilling 2019.

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  6. Thanks heaps, Chris.
    My warmest wishes for a speedy recovery and a lovely Christmas
    Anna x

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  7. This is such a pretty design. The pinks and greens work so well together. I don’t think I’d ever have thought about a double blanket stitch but it works brilliantly!

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    1. Thanks Catherine, I am glad you like it. I have a bit of 'thing' with blanket stitch - it is so super versatile. I had seen some really pretty stripy leaves but hadn't planned how to do it, it kind of just happened but I don't think it will be the last time I use it like that.

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  8. I love the finished work! It looks wondeful. All the changes you made are very good decisions.

    Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thanks Kamelia, it is funny how things turn out when you start without too much of a plan.

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  9. It’s beautiful! Pink and green is one of my favorite combos. Will this be available as a pattern or a kit?

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    1. I am glad you like it Mary. Yes, I will have the design available as a kit as soon as I get the instruction booklets finished. I hope it won't be too long.

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