Simple surface stitches - Stars of Winter

It is that time of year again... harvest time. The summer has been so hot and dry that it is all happening a bit earlier than normal. Our white grapes were picked this morning and if all goes to plan the Shiraz will be going late this week (if they can fit it into winery) or early next week. That only leaves our tiny plot of Grenache, which is always much later and we can look forward to a bit of a break.

I didn't do a great deal of stitching stuff last week. A few weeks ago (Here), I showed you a new little (side) project, I had been playing around with and I did finish that.

I clearly didn't get it ready for the workshop that started a few weeks ago, but have been tinkering away on this little piece. Other than the basic idea of using a limited palette of simple stitches, I didn't really plan a lot for this one (as usual) and some of the flowers finished up in ways that really surprised me. That might sound strange, since I am the one designing it, but this was really a matter of 'I wonder what it will look like if I try this....???

 

I love how the little red flowers above worked out. I think they are my favourite part of the whole design. There is just something about the colour and stitch combination I really, really like. Better still, they are super simple and quick to stitch, so I am pretty sure these will turn up again in future pieces.

The cream daisy above, took a bit of 'playing around' and reverse stitching before I was happy with it. It was drawn up with a large centre circle and I kind of did want a big centre stitched with rounds of chain stitch. I tried a few different colour combinations but none of it looked quite right. It wasn't until 'I wonder what happens if I divide the circle..???' that it all fell into place. The segments are done really simple, by putting straight stitches all the way across the white band. Once that was done the rest fell into place.

I had started stitching the berries at the top in the dark blue/grey.
Amongst the pictures on my mood board was a very Scandinavian looking design with a similar colour scheme. The pattern had dark berries dotted throughout. It looked really nice and I liked the idea of not making the berries the move obvious red or pink, so away I want... The blanket stitch wheels with off-set, French knot centres, worked ok but having done the little lot above, I started to think the colour combination would make the overall design too top heavy, so they went on the back-burner, while I stitched something else, hoping it would work itself out...

 ... how about white? I am much happier with this option. There is still enough contrast between the crisp white berries and the cream back ground and the little bright yellow centres add just enough 'ping' of colour.

That left just the wee red robin? and I was finished... 

Stars of Winter

I think it will make a really nice little kit and, although it may look intricate, there is no difficult stitches, so I will be able to use it as a beginner project. I just did a quick stitch count and all I have used to create this is 8 relatively simply stitches: Blanket stitch, Chain stitch, Detached chain (lazy daisy), Fly stitch, French knots, Satin stitch, Stem stitch, Straight stitch.

All I need to do now is work out what to do with it. Any suggestions? Right now hoop art, seems a really good option LOL.

I wish you all a fabulous week where you find, make or take time to work on whatever project you have on the go.

Best Stitches,
Anna X