Candy Embroidery

I started this candy embroidery project a while ago - you can read about it {here}.  

Now that I have finished it, I want to share some of the stitching details and my color choices.  

This sweet motif is from my Candy & Sweets Embroidery Pattern and I have to say this was so much fun to stitch!  

For the big pink swirl in the background, I used parallel rows of Split Stitch.  The lollipops are outlined in Stem Stitch and filled with Straight Stitches.  The The lollipop sticks are parallel rows of Stem Stitch - this technique is a nice way to fill in spaces.  For the red candy, I used all Stem Stitch.

The cupcake paper is outlined in Stem Stitch and the accent lines are also Stem Stitch.  The top border of the cupcake border is Double Knot Stitch.  The cupcake is done in rows of Straight Stitch.  The cupcake frosting is a combination of Stem Stitch and French Knots.  All the red accent dots are also French Knots.

On the lavender candy, I used Stem Stitch for the outlines and a Straight Stitch for the stripes.  The big lollipop has a Stem Stitch outline, Straight Stitch interior lines and rows of Stem Stitch for the stick.

I really like the colors I used on this project, all reminiscent of candy and sweets.  Here are the floss numbers in my palette:

Next up are some new projects - maybe these dipped apples...

Ladybug Embroidery Project Part Two

I finished my ladybug embroidery project.  I first blogged about this {here}.

I had wanted to challenge myself to use as many different stitches as possible.  By my count, I ended up using eight different stitches.

The ladybug's antennae and body outline are Stem Stitch, her wings are outlined in Double Knot Stitch and filled with lines of Running Stitch. The spots on her wings are Satin Stitch and French Knots.  For her body, I used Trellis Couching Stitch:

For the flowers, I outlined the petals in Blanket Stitch, and put in a Lazy Daisy Stitch.  For the flower centers I used three French Knots.  I also used French Knots for the blue accent dots spaced randomly round the motif:

I am really pleased with the variety of stitches I included on this project!

I think this project would look really sweet framed in this hoop - maybe embellished with some matching trim?  This is a 6" hoop and is the perfect size for this motif.

Here are the floss colors and numbers I used for this project:

Autumn Projects - Part Four

I have another finish to share.  Remember this owl from my autumn projects list?  He is all finished!

I took a few close ups to show all the stitches I used.  I finished all the leaves using the blanket stitch.  The vine is stem stitch and the berries are French knots.  His feet were done with satin stitch:

 For his wings, I used my {current} favorite stitch, the double knot stitch.  Speaking of knots, notice the difference in the size of the berries and the size of the little accent knots along his forehead?  For the berries, I used all six strands of cotton floss, the accent knots are three strands.  

 I did his neck detail with stem stitch:

And the feathers on his body are the fly stitch.  I used straight stitch to fill in his wings:

I love the color palette I used for this project, especially the coral color of the berries.  Here are the floss colors I used:

Next up for owl stitching: both of these, not sure yet which one is first!

Ballerina Pillow Project - Part Four

I have made quite a bit of progress on my ballerina pillow project. 

You can read my other posts about this project here: {part one} {part two} {part three} 

I finished the top border motif. 

Here is a closer look - I used the chain stitch, back stitch, stem stitch and double knot stitch:

I have also finished all the ballet costumes. 

Since my last post, I have made a few changes to the purple costume. 

If you have been following this project, you may have noticed that in previous posts the purple costume had wide shoulder straps:

I decided I didn't like the way those looked after I had filled in the bodice of the costume, so I cut the purple stitching on the straps out.  I decided that double spaghetti straps stitched in the lavender of the tutu would look better.  I started to make the change....

and then realized you should be able to see the hanger between the spaghetti straps - I hadn't stitched it before because it had been covered by the wider straps - so I had to stitch the missing parts of the hanger first!

Then I stitched each of the spaghetti straps with a single straight stitch

that I couched with this beautiful blending filament that adds so much sparkle:

Next, I washed out all the water soluble marker:

and stretched the fabric out to dry:

It is really beautiful!

I will be back with another post on my next steps with this project!

Ballerina Pillow - Part Three

I have a quick update on my ballerina pillow project.  You may read the previous posts for this project here {part one} {part two} 

I have stitched the outline of the purple tutu - I did this in back stitch.  I need to fill in all little details on the tutu and the design on the bodice area.
I also made some progress on the pink tutu - also in back stitch.  For the shoulder straps on this one, I am using the double knot stitch. 

I talked about the green and lavender floss colors I am using in my last post on this project.  Now for the pinks,  I am using DMC #603 {dark pink} and #605 {light pink}.  They are both so pretty! I love the way they look with the other colors in this palette:

My next step is to finish all three ballet costumes and then start on the fancy motif at the top: 
 

A new wip

My first stitching project for 2013 is this fancy cake from the La Patisserie pattern.  For the floss colors, I am going to use pink and red. 

I have done the cake stand in red, using the back stitch and the double knot stitch for the top rim of the cake stand. 

For the cake, I am doing the back stitch using three strands of pink cotton floss.  For the frosting decorative border I am using three strands of satin floss.  It is really beautiful!  I am using the couching stitch with this, to hold the strands in place and give the border a draped look.  In between each draped element, there is a round shape and I am using the satin stitch to fill those:

I was having a hard time doing the satin stitch with this satin thread :) the thread kept slipping out of the needle and it was becoming very frustrating.  I remembered that I had some smaller needles that have a smaller eye so I switched to this size 28 chenille needle.  It made all the difference!  I had been stitching with my size 24 chenille needle - you can see the difference between the two - the top is the 24 and the bottom is the 28:

The 28 really holds the satin floss better.  Since the 28 is shorter I find it easier to work the satin stitch.  Here you can see the two needles threaded, I am using only one strand of the satin floss to do the satin stitch.

I will be sure post my pictures as I make more progress on this one!

Whoops :(

An update on my patisserie project.   Everything was going along really well.
 

I finished the upper edge of the awning and the border around the iron sign with the double knot stitch.  I stitched the curtain swags with a couching stitch. 

I also used the double knot stitch on the top of the curtains.  I was loving the way it looked when I noticed the spacing between all the knots was not quite right on the left-most curtain top.  I just had to go and fix it, which meant taking the stitching out.  Can you spot the resulting disaster?

Here is a closer look.  I used my scissors to take the stitching out and snipped right through the fabric.  You may remember when I did this exact same thing on another project.  That time, the damage wasn't as bad.  I don't know how I am going to fix this!

On a much happier note, we had a beautiful, sunny weekend and I took some pictures of my daffodils:

these miniature daffodils:

And one of my rhubarb plants:

I'll be back soon to post some pictures of my zinnia wip - much happier news on that progress!

Red Tea Set

I wish this were a real tea set! I love the look of this tea pot in red with delicate gold accents:I stitched this using red pearl cotton and this gorgeous gold metallic flossI used some images from the Tea embroidery pattern:I used one of the matching teapot sugar and creamer sets along with the appropriately sized tea word: This would look really good on a tea "cozy":or in a picture frame: but I think I am going to frame this in a wooden embroidery hoop, decorate the hoop with red and gold ribbon and give it to my sister! It should look nice in her kitchen and she loves tea!
I hope you noticed - and were impressed - that I used the double knot stitch on the decorative stripes and the herringbone stitch for the gold bands!