Grisaille Peas

Ann's Orchard Pea Green Clutch Bag

A year or so ago I saw a picture of some lovely embroidered purses by Ann's Orchard Needlework (designed by Emma Pavier). There were three bags in three different colours: blue, green, and red. The designs reminded me a bit of William Morris or Arts and Crafts style.

The purses are all solid white embroidery on coloured backgrounds. I thought I should buy one because, well, it just looked like so much fun to stitch! I tried to buy only one, but I couldn't decide between the blue and green. I bought both. I liked the red, but was able to resist...for the moment. (By the way, the postage was quite reasonable.)

Too Much Grass?

The birch project is finished! Well, maybe...

At least the long grass in the front is well and truly tied down. I have no more worries about that after finishing off the flowers.

A Victorian Treat with a Twist

Here's a fun piece I stitched a couple of years ago. It's yet another wonderful thread painting design by Trish Burr called Victorian Pansies.

I did a lot of 'what if I...' work on this piece and tried to challenge myself to see what would happen.

Warning: this is going to be a terribly geeky post. Feel free to skip the text and enjoy the pictures.

Pretty Pink Flowers Under the Birch

The Jo Butcher kit Under the Silver Birch is coming along nicely. After the purple flowers to the left and right of the tree trunk comes a scattering of pink flowers. They are composed of 3 different shades of rosey pink. The 3 shades are mixed in the needle to create different combinations. The flowers are quite pretty and they light up the piece.

Each flower is topped by a French knot. I decided to stitch the knots first in order to determine placement for the flowers. 

Disturbing Grass

The Butcher birch tree project is moving along. After the tree came the grass.

Really, really long grass.

The darker grass towards the front went in first. The instructions call for it to be stitched in 2 different shades and not blended so it comes out stripey and, did I mention really, really long?