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...

Le Chat - Part Two

I have an update to share on my Le Chat work-in-progress.  You may remember this kitty from my earlier post {here}.   Since that post, he has been outlined in gray floss and had all his features stitched.

Once I finish the bicycle basket, I think he will look very comfortable surrounded by these beautiful flowers.  

I stitched the flowers in Straight Stitch with French Knot centers.

For the kitty's collar, I used Stem Stitch for the pink outline and Satin Stitch for the jewels.  I really love his eyes - this is blending filament satin stitched:

Here are the floss colors I have used so far.  I am still wondering about the best color to use for the bicycle basket...

I will keep you updated on my progress with this project!

Fourth of July Stitching - Part Three

I have some progress to share on my Fourth of July stitching.  This is a 17" x 17" table topper.  You can catch up with this project here: {part one} {part two}.  Since my last post, I have finished some motifs and taken some of my stitching back out! 

I took a nice aerial shot so you can see the whole thing:

I have finished this rocket motif,  I used Chain Stitch for the stripes on the rocket, French knots above the stripes, Stem Stitch for all the outlines and the fill on the top of the rocket and Straight Stitch for the sparks:

I am almost done with this big firecracker, I am just deciding if I want all the stars in red or maybe stitch the other two in blue.   

Same with the Uncle Sam hat...lots of color decisions even with this limited color palette! 

The stitching I removed was all the blue around the star field on the flag.  I kept the ring of stars but I am still figuring out how I am going to fill this in:

I will post my progress on this as I finish - hopefully in time for the 4th of July!

Easter Embroidery Patterns

I have a few Easter embroidery finishes and a new work-in-progress to share.  First up is this sweet egg basket and flowers: 

I used an Easter basket motif and two border patterns from my Easter embroidery pattern set:

I finished stitching it yesterday and washed out all the water soluble marker lines.  Then I pressed it and took a few pictures.  When I was uploading the pictures, I spotted a mistake that I hadn't seen before - look closely at the ribbon hanging off the bow:
 

I forgot to finish the edge on the right-hand side!  It was only a few stitches missing so I was able to fill them in. 

It looks much better now! 

The stitches I used on the ribbon are the Herringbone Stitch for the inside and the Stem Stitch for the edges.  I used the Blanket Stitch for the handle.  The scalloped rim of the basket and the accent lines on the front of the basket are all done in Stem Stitch.  The outline of the basket is done in Split Stitch and Back Stitch.  I used all of these stitches on the eggs and also French Knots and Chain Stitch: 

The flowers and the green curvy lines are Stem Stitch.  There are also Lazy Daisy Stitch and more French Knots:

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

My other finish is this decorated egg.  This was so fun to stitch and since I used such easy stitches, it was very quick to finish!  This is Stem Stitch for the egg border and the flowers, French Knots, and Cross Stitches with a Straight Stitch in a contrasting color over their middles:

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

My new work-in-progress is this little duckling.  I am picking some nice colors to finish this:

Horse With A Flower Crown

I have another completed project!  It is this beautiful horse with a flower crown. 

I stitched this from my I Love Horses embroidery pattern:

I like these flower corners - I used the stem stitch, lazy daisy stitch, French knots and straight stitches:

For her mane, I used the stem stitch:

For the ribbon on the flower crown, I used the split stitch:

I am really happy with the way this turned out! 

Here are the colors and floss numbers I used:

100 Stitches - straight stitch

The petals of these free form flowers are made using the straight stitch. The straight stitch is the easiest embroidery stitch I have learned so far from 100 Stitches! For this demonstration, I am using 100% cotton medium weight fabric, a #24 chenille needle and pearl cotton thread (dmc color variations # 4240) and of course, my 7" plastic hoop!
To start this easy stitch, you bring your needle up through your fabric: then go back down through your fabric at your preferred stitch length:
Then pull the floss all the way through and you have just completed the straight stitch!

Now you are free to do the next straight stitch by coming back up through the fabric:
then back down through the fabric:
and you have two straight stitches completed:
That is all there is to it. I think you could use this stitch for free form flowers or any other design you like.
So quick and easy. These flowers were a little plain so I added french knots to the centers. I think they give a nice finishing touch!
The straight stitch is stitch #8 and is in the flat stitches section of 100 Stitches.