Triceratops Project - Part Four

 Since my last update to this project, I have made a bit of progress on some of the leaves of this big tree.  I outlined them with stem stitch.  To fill them, I am using lines of running stitch.  I really like the effect!

I outlined the volcano and added some red to the interior...not sure yet if I will also add some yellow and orange: 

Now for the lettering.  I wanted to stitch the word Triceratops in a bright, bold color.   I chose this orange -  DMC #741:

I am stitching the top of each letter with three strands of floss and using the stem stitch.

For inside the letters, I am using vertical lines of straight stitch with only one strand of floss:

I love the color palette on this project!  However, I am missing two floss color numbers.  The lightest green from the plants and the brown from the volcano...when I figure out those two numbers, I will add them to my list: 

Salad Picture - Part One

I am starting a new project!  I am going to make an embroidered picture to put in this black picture frame.  This frame is a nice wood frame, it measures about 11" x 9"  with a 9-1/2" x 7-1/2" opening.

I am using some motifs from my Salad Fixings embroidery pattern, four to be exact.  I love these motifs because they each feature a little set of vegetables, each has the same enhancements of X's and French knots.  They are all sized to be used together in a project.  There are radishes, mushrooms, onions and carrots:

I transferred the motifs onto white fabric:

Now it is time to start selecting floss colors!

Ballerina Pillow Project - Part Six

 I have started on the back panel of the ballerina pillow! 

If you remember from my last post on this project,   I was deciding which motif to use for the back panel.    {You can read my other posts about this project here: {part one} {part two} {part three} {part four} }  

I decided to go with this one - a beautiful rose and some swirly lines. 

I chose this one because it is about the same size vertically as the motif on the front panel. 

To start on the back panel, I first placed the fabric for the back panel over the front panel:

I lined up the two edges and pinned both panels together.  I could see the front panel motif through the fabric so it was easy to center the motif for the back panel both vertically and horizontally.

I made a mark indicating the top edge, middle and the bottom edge as well as the left and right edges of the motif:

Once I had the spacing correct, I taped the motif to my cutting mat and put the back panel fabric over it, making sure to line up the marks:

I transferred the motif to the fabric using a water soluble marker:

Done!

I think this will look really beautiful for the back of the pillow:

Now to stitch the back....I have the leaves done and part of the rose.  You probably recognize the fishbone stitch that I am using on the leaves.  I love doing that stitch and I think it is the perfect stitch for leaves! 

I am not sure which colors or stitch I will use for the swirly lines.

I will be back soon with part seven!

Triceratops Project - Part Three

 My Triceratops project is moving right along!  You can read the other posts in this project here: {part one} {part two}. 

I have the Triceratops outlined in stem stitch.  Stem stitch is a nice stitch to use for outlining and easy to do around curves.  It gives a smooth line that has depth and visual interest. 

I used concentric rings of back stitch for his eye.

 He has some accent lines around on his frill that I am going to stitch in a deeper color green.  I think I will use it add some accent lines around his toes too.

I started chain stitching around this big prehistoric plant.  I have one of these plants on either side of the lettering of Triceratops.   

For the volcano eruption, I am using a variety of shades of orange, yellow and red.  I don't know what color I am going to use for the volcano, maybe a dark charcoal-gray?

The palm tree trunk is all stitched.  I used the stem stitch for the outline and chain stitch for the diagonal accent lines.  To further set the diagonals off, I am adding a single line of back stitch in black under each diagonal.  It really adds dimension! 

I will be sure to continue to post my progress on this project!