CHRISTMAS STITCHING.

Having spent the morning in the garden mostly dealing with storm damage, we have had both heavy rain and strong winds. I am now sorting out designs I would like to stitch for my christmas gifts.

This little design of Campanula Pulla has previously been stitched on a gift bag but this time I will use it for a Floss Ring Tag. I hope someone else might enjoy this design too. the design is 30h x 15w. 
Colours used are DMC
3807 Blue Mauve
3345 Dark Green
3346 Mid green
3347 Light Yellow Green

HAREBELLS

With drooping bells of clearest blue
thou didst attract my childish view,
Almost resembling the azure butterflies that flew
Where on the heath thy blossoms grew
so slightly trembling.
Reginald Heber "The Harebell"
This morning had a session in the garden and to my delight the first flowers of harebells ( Campanula rotundifolia) have appeared. A favourite of mine, with its very dainty mauve bells. A wild plant found in northern parts of the world it is known by many names, Bluebells of Scotland, Alpine Scotch bells, Witches Thimbles, Lady's thimbles, Aul man's bells, Heath Bells, are a few names I have found.

I have used  these little flowers many times in small embroidery designs and share one with you now..

CHARTS FOR MY CYCLAMEN DESIGNS

Colour Chart for Cyclamen designs.

DMC Threads-

Cross stitch.

Flowers- 3609 light plum

Flower centres- 917 medium plum

Leaves- 522 light green & 3051 dark green

Back stitch.

Flowers outlines - 3067 very dark plum

Leaf veins -522 light green

Stems -407 (3773) medium fawn

For added effect whip the back stitches of the stems to give a rounded effect.

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CYCLAMEN DESIGNS

LAST OF THE CYCLAMEN

The rain over the past week has brought to an end the flowering of the little rock cyclamen (cyclamen hederifolium).
These dainty blooms are always a welcome arrival in my garden, the first to flower are the white ones followed by the soft pink and they flower for such a long time.
I have used these many times in small embroidery designs. I will add some of these designs, which I am happy for embroiderers to copy and stitch.

To copy a design - just copy and paste to word.