Monday, October 3, 2011

Poppyprint Embroidery Sampler

After my recent embroidery course, I wanted to get busy and practice some of the new stitches I'd learned before they were forgotten. Suzanne requested a hoop featuring some of my poppy-printed fabric for our private swap. It's not complete yet, but here is where things stand at the moment.

Poppyprint embroidery sampler

I picked up this oval hoop at a charity shop last spring and have been wanting to use it for a swap. The fabric is a natural linen printed with red ink and I used Presencia perle 8 cotton for the embroidery. My idea was to embellish the prints, using their symmetry to guide my stitching, without entirely concealing the printed forms. Check it out: I learned how to do Shisha!

Poppyprint embroidery sampler

It's more fun saying Shisha! than it is stitching those little mirrors on, trust me. I need more practice to get my stitched frame more symmetrical (obviously). Please don't ask for a tutorial, because this is a technique you've got to see done right in front of you. Possibly 10 times over before you will 'get it'. Ahem. I may need a trip to India.

Next is an old stitch with a new look. How adorable are these sets of three nested lazy daisies?

Poppyprint embroidery sampler

Something else I learned is the wrapped spider web. Perfect for the season!

Poppyprint embroidery sampler

I have a bit more work to do and hope to show this in it's final form in a day or two. I have a thought about finishing the edges of the hoop that may or may not work....

I'll be mailing the hoop inside this embroidery project pouch that I made before our summer holidays.

Hoop project pouch for Suzanne

Made with 'twofers' leftover from this project's flying geese blocks.

Hoop project pouch for Suzanne
Here's the flipside, with some stitched dragonflies.

My to-do list is dwindling now that I am almost done with swap commitments. I'm not taking on any new ones so I can free up some creative time for Christmas gifts and a bed quilt for us that I want to have pieced before the holidays. Here's to a productive week ahead!

25 comments:

randi--i have to say said...

oh, i love the embroidery! that is one crafting skill that i lack in. would love to learn someday!

very nice little quilt!

monika@mysweetprairie.ca said...

Doh! I just 'nested some daisies' while teaching myself embroidery. I hadn't seen that before.. just thought it up. lol Apparently not new. Is that what it's called? I put them into Dragonfly wings in the last Saturday Stitches post. So sweet!

Glad you hear your to do list is dwindling. Ain't that fabulous! : )

~Monika

Joan said...

Wow! Your embroidery is gorgeous. I'd love to learn how to do shisha.

Unknown said...

looks amazing!!! well done , cant wait to see the finished article...

carol said...

Beautiful! I used to embroider, I wonder what happened? Too busy quilting, I guess!

Unknown said...

Ya, I should probably take an embroidery course. I like it a lot and know like two or three stitches which I use over and over again.

There are little mirrors in there? SO cool! The whole sampler looks awesome. And your pouch? Well... let's just say I'm super-fond of pinwheels and thus, super-fond of that pouch of yours. Just gorgeous!

paulette said...

Your embroidery work is amazing!!! And love your bags!! The fabric is VERY sweet...looks familiar!!Love it!
P

Heather D. said...

The embroidery is absolutely beautiful!

Jody Sanders said...

Oh, I love the embroidery. Very inspiring.

Unknown said...

this is looking great - I keep finding some lovely embroidery projects/ideas I'd like to try

Marianne Penner said...

Wow, those embroidery stitches are fabulous and so sweet on your printed fabric!

felicity said...

Gorgeous, Krista! Just gorgeous!

Jules said...

oh thats lovely. i love all your stitches.you are very clever.

Holly said...

I'm in awe of your embroidery skills!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better... dragonflies!! Oh you are good!! x

pinksuedeshoe said...

You are my stitching hero. No really. Amazing, I just love it.

PinkGranny said...

What a great project! I love the poppy print fabric with the embroidery on top. What dimension and what a treat to receive.

I am going to pick up some linen-type fabric this week for a special October embroidery project!

Patty C. said...

Everything looks lovely - I am sure the recipient of your gift will cherish it !!

ayumills said...

Beautiful, beautiful embroidery stitching, Krista! I don't even want to begin to ask how you did the stitching with the mirror inside! It's so pretty to look at but terrifying to think about trying on my own!
Are you making customized Christmas cards again? I am excited to see your Christmas projects!

Laura said...

Fabulous stitching!

cauchy09 said...

gorgeous sampler! and i love love love my oval hoop. it's the perfect size for my hands.

Live a Colorful Life said...

The embroidery is stunning! Do you sell any of your fabric? I totally need some! And wow, did I get the most amazing mail today...

Dianne said...

Beautiful as always Krista!

bronwen said...

Fantastic Krista! I love the colors!!

Suzanne said...

Oh wow. This is fantabulous! I'm just getting back online after being gone for a long weekend and I'm tickled pink (or should I say red?) by this hoop. I'm amazed by your new stitching techniques!