Sunday 15 December 2013

Stitching Sundays 15

I have made a little progress this week, but not as much as I would have liked.  I have been really busy at work and have only just got around to writing Christmas cards!  Decorations will be going up in the next couple of days, I hope.  So, enough excuses, what have I done?  I looked at the original photo and then did my trick of using a scanned image to draw the design on.  Unusually for me, I only drew one design.  I used a white pen as the background was so dark, so that I could see what I was doing, but the stitching won't be in white - I'll use the photo for inspiration in choosing colours.
 Here is the design, which I am really happy with.  It will probably change as I start actually stitching,  but I am hoping to keep the busy feeling of all the grasses at the front.  I am intending to have some dandelion-type things in the mid ground and some more detailed feathery grasses as well.  I think the stitches will be relatively simple; stem stitch, split stitch, seed stitches, perhaps satin stitch (or a variation on that), couching and french knots.
So, as you can tell, although I haven't stitched yet, I have been doing lots of thinking and decision-making. Now I'm ready to start the stitching, I think!

14 comments:

  1. Preparation for a beautiful piece of art is all-important and you certainly have done your homework very successfully Ellie; I love how this is progressing and am really looking forward to your next 'show and tell'! As far as your prep for Christmas goes, well, it will all get done, it always does, and sometimes it's nice to do these jobs later rather than sooner and everything is still fresh on the big day, don't you think?
    Enjoy the process and have a wonderful time! Warm hugs and best wishes, Joy xo

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    1. Thanks, Joy. It has taken me a looong time to actually get to this point but I am pleased with how it is looking now, so perhaps the wait was a good thing! I have now done my Christmas cards (Hoorah!) and just have family presents to wrap. (Still haven't got my decorations up yet though...)
      I hope you have a lovely time too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. Looking very good and promising Ellie! Did you draw on your felt or on the picture?
    See you, love from Mirjam.

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    1. Thanks, Mirjam. I haven't drawn on the felt yet - I think some outlines with tailor's chalk is the way to go there as the air erasable pen just won't show up on such a dark background. I used a white pen to draw on the picture I had scanned in - I find it a really useful way to find the right design.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. I just sawthat I didn't read good enough, sorry :-)!

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    1. Thanks again, Mirjam. I hope I answered your question.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. If the finished stitched item looks as good as the drawing you've done, it will be great.
    Joy xx

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    1. Thanks, Joy. I am very happy with the design and am hoping that my stitching will do it justice! If not, I'll just have to frame the drawing!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  5. It's looking good :)

    Buying the cards and the stamps is as far as I've got on the Christmas card front! I think it's a woman's lot to be playing catch up in December!

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    1. Thanks, Annie. I must admit to not really doing a lot of the traditional Christmas preparations on the baking/cooking side (I don't like dried fruit), but even so, I never seem to be quite as organised as I'd like. I am sure I'll get there in the end though.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  6. Thank you for your lovely , sweet wishes at my blog.
    I too wish you very nice Christmas days.

    Your grasses are gorgeous.
    so like the real ones!

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    1. Thanks, Brigitte. I am hoping to make a start with the stitching at the weekend - if I get the Christmas presents wrapped by then!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  7. Hello Ellie it seems that you are putting so much wonderful time into the preparation and I love your attention to detail. It is looking really good and I am sure you are going to love stitching this. Looking forward to seeing the next stage. Much love xoxo

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    1. Thanks, Hannapat. I am looking forward to starting the stitching and hope to have made some progress by Sunday.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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