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



Comments

  1. Lovely project! Palette of simple stiches makes me smile. It all depends where you're strarting from, but it does create the hope that I could make something that pretty one day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Needle in, needle out... I am sure you would be quite capable of doing this. I on the other hand will NEVER, ever make tiny turned wooden dolls or paint minuscule houses. LOL

      Delete
  2. Gorgeous .... I love the colours that you choose .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Looking to old samplers blue and red always work well. Getting the balance right was a little tricky but got there in the end.

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Thanks heaps, I hope it will make a lovely kit, but I still need to work out what to do with it...

      Delete
  4. You're a true artist/painter with needle and thread, Anna, I absolutely love what yo created: "hoop art" yes, but of a gorgeous kind ;O! This is a bit of the same way I also love to do, in working at miniatures....'what if I do this, or what if...' ;)!
    Hugs, Ilona

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ilone, you are too kind. I am pretty sure that just like a curious child the 'what if.?' and 'I wonder what...?" is what drives the creativity and we get excited by the discoveries and a results. I am not sure everybody gets it, but I feel certain you know what I mean
      Hugs,
      Anna

      Delete
  5. Thank you for your kind words on my blog.
    You make beautiful embroidery work, I like also to do this and crochet so I have variety.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, it is nice to do different thing. I try to fit a bit on mini in here and there.

      Delete
  6. Beautiful work - lovely shapes and colors :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Anna! Your stitching is so lovely and I really admire your ability to design as you go! That is a rare skill! I picture you walking around with your hoop and needle, stitching as you wander...! LOL! These blossoms are so cheerful! Beautiful Work!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Betsy, I am not very good at planning and tend to just 'jump' in. It is fun but also often result in having to do things more than once to get it right.
      Anna x

      Delete
  8. Very beautiful and loving the color combinations!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This project is lovely! I lovethe design. And colours you have chosen. :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts