Mushroom Embroidery

This sweet mushroom border is from  my Owl embroidery pattern set.  This was on my work-in-progress list since last November!  I worked a bit on it this week and finished it. 

The stitches I used are Long and Short Stitch for the mushrooms, Satin Stitch for the mushroom spots, Back Stitch for the grass, Cross Stitch for the red x's, Couching Stitch for the swirly lines and French Knots for the dots.

Here are the floss color numbers:

Owl Embroidery Project - Part Two

You may remember my owl stitching project {part one}.  Since that post, I finished all the stitching.  
For the motif at the bottom, I did a Whipped Stem Stitch in blue with silver metallic cord:

I finished the owl with some French Knots on his wings and head:

I love the color palette I used on this sweet owl.  It really looks good with the blue and silver.
Here are the colors I used for this project:

  

Owl Embroidery Project Part One

I wanted to share my progress on an owl embroidery project I recently started.  These motifs are from my Owl embroidery pattern set.  I used this wide eyed owl, a moon and stars border motif, a swirly line motif, and some text.  I arranged them together and selected some floss colors: 

I have stitched several of the elements and I especially wanted to share the stitching I did for the moon.  This is Whipped Blanket Stitch that I wove with gold metallic cord: 

I stitched the stars with Straight Stitch and I  Couched the swirly lines.  I also added some French Knots.  
I love the shade of this blue floss.  It is DMC 322.  
For the stars, I used two strands of the blue and two strands of blending filament.  This is Kreinik 032.  For the swirly lines, I used six strands of the blue and couched them with four strands of the blending filament.  
The French Knots are also done with six strands of blue but two strands of blending filament.

The text turned out nicely - I used Stem Stitch and then a Blanket Stitch to add emphasis to the left line of the H:

I am just about finished with this project and I will be back with a part two post to share all the details.

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!

Owl Project

Since my last post on this owl embroidery, I have taken out the back stitching I used on the leaves and switched to a blanket stitch.  I like it so much better.  Filling in the entire leaf with lines of back stitch were making the leaf too dense and lumpy looking.  To me, this blanket stitch looks just right!

I have quite a few projects going at the moment, it is fun to have a variety of subjects to stitch!

Autumn Projects - Part Three

 I have an update on my progress of the two remaining Autumn projects.  {As you may remember I finished the first of the three here}.

The second project is this leaves and acorn border for my tea towel:

And the third is this little owl. 

For both of these projects, I am still experimenting with colors and stitches.   In the case of this owl I love the coral, black mustard and blue color palette but I am trying to get just the right combination of stitches - especially for the leaves! 

In the case of the tea towel, I am also thinking about trims.  I love a pom-pom trim on a tea towel. 

I am thinking maybe the smaller sized pom-poms would suit the border a little better than the large?

I guess I will have to wait until I finish the stitching!

Some Autumn Projects

I wanted to share a picture of these sunflowers that I planted last spring.  They are all in bloom now and so gorgeous!  
I think the beautiful Autumn colors in this picture make a nice palette for some embroidery projects.

My first project is an embroidered table topper.  I am using this rectangle of beige colored cotton.  The fabric measures 11-1/2" x 14" but I am going to hem the edges.

I transferred this Autumn motif on the four corners of the fabric.  I plan on using a combination of floss colors. 

I love the yellow, burgundy and orange perle cottons I have here:

I also want to make an Autumn-themed kitchen towel.  I am going to transfer one of these motifs as a border - I think I will use the top one with the acorns:

My third project is an embroidered owl.  Specifically, the owl on the left in this picture.  I love the leaf garland!

I have transferred him to this white fabric:

And as soon as I decide on colors, he is ready for stitching!

Owl Embroidery Pattern

I stitched up this little owl as a baby shower gift {we have had four baby boys born in our extended family in the last two years!} It has been so much fun for me to give an embroidered gift at each of their baby showers.  You can see the others here: {Lion, Sleeping Moon, Cowboy pillow}

I framed this one up in a shadowbox frame.  I am very pleased with the result!

After completing this, I drew up a whole set of owls and owl motifs to make an embroidery pattern packet.  This is what it looks like:

I am going to stitch a new owl project, I think it would look good on black fabric too.