This was Roses and Pansies :

I had a discussion with a couple of embroidery friends (thankyou Rachel of VirtuoSew Adventures) and we agree there was too much going on

- the shot blue plus red = purple shot silk background

- the variegated leaves in Olive wired ribbon

- the variegated flowers

- the different greens used for the stems.

So …. the stems got it in the neck. They are going to be replaced with an olive (if the ribbon Ever arrives from America – apparently the lady’s clerk is sick and they are a bit behind).

And I’ve reduced the number of Olive variegated leaves.

You’ll notice an additional small (copper/green) rose on the right, and that the copper pansy has moved to the bottom of the piece. I’m not sure if the rose will stay or not. It needs some more copper up the top left to balance it if it does.

The calyxes are also now missing – I’ll redo them in the new olive.

I’d done one of three combinations that appear on the piece – a curved line of stem stitch followed by 3 French knots, in fellowship with a piece of olive memory wire (the match is much better IRL).

Also, SilkLover very kindly gave me some Pearsall’s Silk wrapped on cardboard. I’ve used it for the little lines that come out of the grouped purple buds. It’s a pink/peach colour that just shines – it lights up the whole piece. I just love it!

Thanks SL!

I’ve been busy (when I can) making embroidered Christmas cards for some friends. (Tho my rule is – if I’m also making a piece for them, as listed in my last post, they only get a normal printed card, not both)

Just simple flowers in SRE (Silk Ribbon Embroidery) on white silk, designed to be placed in the 6 x 7.5cm aperture of some white 3 fold aperture cards that I’m also waiting to arrive. I'll show photos after Christmas.