and light violety-blue:
and pink!
I obviously bought all three! I also bought these regular dmc flosses in a range of pinks and a variegated pink and white:
I have never used perle cotton and wasn't sure exactly how to use it - it comes in twisted strands. I was wondering - are you supposed to use more than one strand? I checked on the dmc website . They have a lot of helpful infomation. Apparently, you take the papers off the ends like this:
Once it is free, the skein is in a big oval - one end has a tie around the end like this: 
Leave the tie intact. Snip through the other end like this:
and use a single strand of twisted floss - like this:
This strand will be long - about 38-39" The website suggests that beginners cut this strand in half for a more manageable length. Here is what it looks like in comparison with the six strand dmc embroidery floss:
You can see the twisted perle cotton strand is much different - the website suggests using a #22 chenille needle with this, however I have been using my #24 and it is working great! I really love this cotton perle - it will be a nice cotton-y not so silky alternative to the six strand floss. I have already completed a little project with the pink variegated cotton perle and I will be posting a picture of that in a bit!
Once it is free, the skein is in a big oval - one end has a tie around the end like this: Leave the tie intact. Snip through the other end like this:and use a single strand of twisted floss - like this:
This strand will be long - about 38-39" The website suggests that beginners cut this strand in half for a more manageable length. Here is what it looks like in comparison with the six strand dmc embroidery floss:
You can see the twisted perle cotton strand is much different - the website suggests using a #22 chenille needle with this, however I have been using my #24 and it is working great! I really love this cotton perle - it will be a nice cotton-y not so silky alternative to the six strand floss. I have already completed a little project with the pink variegated cotton perle and I will be posting a picture of that in a bit!
This little blue fish is my blue entry into the 
I also used metallic floss! You can see it on the tail and a few selected scales. It is always a challenge to use but this is the first time I have ever stitched with it using my new #24 
To start, you bring your needle up through the fabric
and pink. I am planning on using the fill stitch and satin stitch so I will be able to incorporate a lot of different shades of which ever color I choose. 
For the fish pattern, I am going with blue! This little picture also features bubbles and waves so blue will definitely work for the whole thing! 
This is the fly stitch! I had posted a picture of my strawberry tea towel both here on the blog and on my 
According to 100 Stitches, this stitch may be worked singly or in horizontal or vertical rows. I am just demonstrating single stitches. First, come up through your fabric for the top left of the stitch
Now take your needle back down through the fabric a little to the right of where your needle first emerged:
Pull the floss partially through
Now bring your needle up through the fabric below and in the center, making sure the floss is under the needle:
Pull all the way through light and loose, not tight - this will form the stitch.
Now put your needle back down through the fabric directly under the stitch to anchor it in place.
Now you are free to move to another area and make another fly stitch!
Next up on the 
Next, go back down through the fabric a stitch length to the right of where your floss just came out and come back up halfway between. Notice that the floss is below the needle:
Now pull the needle through forming a simple stitch. Now repeat the process of going back down through the fabric a stitch length away from where your floss emerged. Bring the needle back up right at the end of the previous stitch and NOTICE the floss is now above the needle action.
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