Making the Seasons :: April

Sitting here to write this post a whole month after my March Making the Seasons write-up hardly seems possible somehow. How has a whole month passed by in the mere blink of an eye?!

I really love thinking about creating in tune with the seasons and as the months pass by it's interesting to see how my Creative Mind responds to the changes in weather, colours and seasonal celebrations. As soon as I saw this spring embroidery created for Mollie Makes, I fell in love with the bright, jolly colours and the gorgeous floweryness of it all. I knew that I would love to try making it, and it felt absolutely perfect for celebrating April and the start of Spring here in Atticland.

This embroidery was designed as a stitch-a-long, with pattern installments released each morning over the course of five days. However, there was no information given about what threads would be needed before the project started which I found frustrating, as it made it impossible for me to join in at the time the patterns were released. I'm guessing the Mollie Makes team assumed that this sort of project would appeal mainly to folks who already have embroidery supplies at their fingertips.

No matter, I was still keen to do it in my own time and figured that so long as I downloaded and saved the five installments then I could start stitching the following week once my threads arrived in the post. I manged to find some lovely fine linen fabric in a local remnant shop (it was a bargain as it had a stain at one end and the lady in the shop heavily discounted it for me), and I already had the 7 inch white flexi hoop. I bought a water erasable fabric marker {from Amazon UK} and set about tracing the design onto the fabric. I tried out the marker on a spare piece of fabric first - I was a bit doubtful about it actually erasing completely but this marker is amazing and literally disappeared completely in a split second as soon as it touched water.

Some of you may know that embroidery and stitching was my first creative love before I discovered a passion for crochet. In fact, I actually studied textiles and embroidery for three years at university (yes, I have a BA (hons) degree in Embroidery, believe it or not), so this type of decorative stitching isn't a new thing for me. However, it's been a long time since I worked any hand embroidery and I felt weirdly nervous about starting this pretty hoop design. I wondered if I would remember the different stitches, and if I would still have the skill to make them perfectly neat and precise? Only one way to find out.......

Day 1 of the stitch-a-long actually began with the main flower in the centre which was a mass of solid filling stitches in multiple colours. I was unsure about diving straight into this large bit of stitchery so I opted to begin with the smaller flowers first, hoping that I could find my stitching mojo and ease myself gently in. These little flowers are made using back stitch, straight stitch and satin stitch - oh yes, I can do that! Although my leaves came out a little bit uneven, I was so pleased to see some floral goodness emerging on my fabric that I didn't much mind the wobbliness.

The next thing I tried my hand at was the round and round "ranunculas" which were formed with a combination of French knots in the centre and a woven wheel around the outside. 

I've never made woven wheels before so I went to YouTube and watched the lovely Chrissie making them look easy-peasy.

The finished effect is gorgeous (especially using two different colours) and it made me want to make a whole load more just for the fun of seeing those plump floral circles materialise in front of my eyes.

Sitting in a sunny spot with the aim of simply stitching for pleasure is a really enjoyable thing to do. Although I still found myself feeling a little nervous about making a huge stitching blunder, I really loved the creative process.

Embroidery is a  slow, mindful hobby that can't be rushed, and I really do love it for that. And I really, really have a thing for french knots.....

......oooo I do love to see a collection of perfect little knotty, bobbly stitches! It was unbelievably satisfying to make those, I have to say.

Once all the small flowers were finished, I felt confident enough to tackle the Big Flower.

The embroidery on these large petals used four different shades to fill in the shape completely. This is known as "long and short stitch" and takes a surprising amount of care to gently blend the different colours subtly together.

There were some brief instructions given on how to use the direction of the stitches to define the petals and create a shaded colour effect, but mostly I just tried hard to copy the photo and make my flower look as good as the original.

I don't think I did too badly with my colour blending?

I worked on my spring stitching over the course of a week, picking it up when I had enough time to sit quietly and get myself into the creative zone.

I was especially pleased to finish off the large flower which was probably the hardest bit of the embroidery for me. Once it was done and I showed it to the kitty for approval, I felt a bit of a relief. Phew. All those stitches, oh soooooo many stitches!

The banner and words were pure pleasure, I do love the simplicity of a neat bit of back stitch.

Actually, the word SPRING was embroidered using chain stitch which I had to remind myself how to do....

....it came out a bit uneven but I'm not too bothered. I'm one of those people who really like handmade things to look and feel genuinely handmade - the imperfections and little mistakes are all part of the process. Big giant glaring mistakes would make me want to pull it out and re-do, but little wibbles are good to stay.

I really like the happy colours and pleasing texture of this embroidery (those woven wheels are delightfully three dimensional), and I did enjoy the creative process. Oddly enough though, the stitching didn't feel as relaxing as I thought it would - I had to really concentrate a lot (a bit like when I'm knitting), and it reminded me exactly why I love crochet so much. Crochet is the ultimate in relaxed creativity, and oh I do so adore it for that!

So have you spotted the thing that's missing? Yes, it's the bee! 

The reason there isn't a little buzzy critter hovering above my flowers is that I forgot to order black thread....! I was so overwhelmed with the beautiful floral colours that I completely overlooked the need for black (I think my subconscious mind must've blocked it out on purpose), so I'm waiting for that to arrive in the post.

The missing bee means that I've not been able to soak away the blue marker pen just yet, so I'm sorry that I can't really sing and dance and show you a final stitchy ta-dah. I've got in mind to carry out some Spring mantel faffery, with pretty jars of flowers, colourful cards and my lovely new spring hoop looking all seasonal and beautiful in the morning light. I'll be sure to share with you when it happens........very soon I hope!

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ps you can find all my previous Making the Seasons post here, and you can catch up with Gillian's beautiful monthly seasonal makes here.

pps. I forgot to mention that this lovely design was created by Anne of "LolliAndGrace". You can find more of Anne's designs in her Etsy shop xx

 

 

Comments

[CathieJ]

Your embroidery is beautiful. What a wonderful Spring decoration.

[Bruna]

OMG Lucy it's so beautiful!! I love how you matching the colors to make beautiful and delicate jobs with such sensitivity! xx

[Lynn Butler]

You did a wonderful job! I love that you feel the little wibbles make something handmade and unique. That’s how I feel too. Major “Oops” require a redo, but individual characteristics make it special. I am in love with the colors you surround yourself with. They are so uplifting and Happy! That’s what drew me to your blog way back when. I always associated colors from the 70s, Brown, Orange, olive green and baby pastels with crochet. Your blog change my perception. It opened up a whole new world. Knitting books were being produced in beautiful modern colors but it was much later that craft stores started carrying crochet books with patterns made in rainbows of gorgeous colors. Thank You for Color!

[Ursula Alexander-Smith]

Ahah, you've inspired me

[Helen]

<3 Oh so Lovely <3

[Charlotte.]

Purchased a small counted cross stitch piece but forgot the needles. Still ,after 2 weeks haven’t the nerve to start. Finally have the needles. Maybe tomorrow.

[Katie B]

Lovey Luce! The ole stichy magic’s still there & I remember us all learning French Knots with Isobel !!
Lots of love, Katie B xx

[Mau]

Thank you.

[Angela-Southern USA]

A Youtube channel with demo's on embroidery to checkout.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHsZqe2QQX7FanqwIeCm74g/videos?disable_polymer=1

[Esther]

Simply wonderful

[Teresa Kasner]

Wow, that stitchery project turned out bee-YOU-tee-full! I can't wait to see the bee done and it all framed and up with the others. Our lilacs are in bloom, we just got back from a trip to Victoria BC for my birthday - we had tea at the Empress Hotel! I posted lots of photos on my blog. Tomorrow I will post the photos of the Butchart Gardens - you would not believe how amazing their sunken garden is. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Angela-Southern USA]

Well done Lucy! I find these things come back to you like riding a bike. I changed mine a bit as you know, and as a beekeeper I had to change my bee to a honey bee. : ) Have a fab day!xxxxxxxxx

[Jill]

Your color blending with long and short stitches is perfect! Your back stitching is so even, the whole project is beautiful. Well done, you. The last time we were in England we got to go on a tour of The Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace. Your beautiful stitching reminds me of pieces we saw there. Thank you for sharing, I can't wait to see the bee.

[Mary]

Absolutely lovely! I too love to embroider~and cross-stitch. You did a beautiful job. You are a multi-talented lady!

[Patty]

You are so talented! All of your work is so inspiring:)

[Lucy, Kent ~ England]

Well done Lucy on a beautiful piece of embroidery. Looking forward to your being confident enough to make your own designs too.
One year I embroidered a pillowcase with things that reminded me of a holiday and days out. Gorse flowers, lavender & butterfly for a stay at Gorse Farm in my camper van with lavender & butterflies under my windows. Dreaming spires for time in Oxford. Sure you get the idea and those beautiful houses in Brugge would look beautiful embroidered.

[Alejandra]

You've done a lovely job! thanks for sharing how you did one stitch at the time, it's fantastic to see how your embroidery came up to life!

[Leah Wheatley]

Oh it's utterly lovely xxx It will look smahing with a bumble bee.

[Nina]

Beautiful neat workmanship Lucy. Embroidery isn't as relaxing as crochet I find, so I don't often do it these days, but looking at your post has me wanting to do some needlework again.

[CJ]

Clever you, it's lovely, you've really made an amazing job of it. The colour blending is brilliant, and I love the ranunculus, they're just right. All the different textures are so cleverly done. I remember learning a little embroidery from a very talented neighbour when I was a child, I wish I had the opportunity now in fact. I did enjoy it, but I think I would really appreciate her more now. CJ xx

[Carol]

Lovely embroidery and can't wait to see the bee.

[One-oh-four]

Lovely💖 You’ve done a fantastic job! I’ve been doing a bit of Redwork embroidery recently after doing a workshop at Xmas, which was fun, but I was itching to “go rogue” and add some other colours🤣

[carolyn mary jackson]

You have done a lovely job Lucy, what lovely hobbies we have. I have just finished my version of your Woodland. Have it up on my Instagram if you have a chance to look carocraft20. Raining here today in NZ , a good time for handcraft !! Love keeping in touch with all you do, enjoyed the Bruges time you all had,,

[Linda]

Well done Lucy it’s beautiful, I’m doing this too and have just made the big flower to be honest it looks a bit of a mess and no where near as perfect as yours but I’m going to stick with it and finish it off. I don’t mind that it’s not perfect it’s my first embroidery attempt so getting it finished will be an achievement in itself, although crochet is my first passion it’s always nice to try something different for a change. :) x

[Gillian Roe]

Utter gorgeousness! Your colour blending looks lovely from where I'm sitting and reminds me how much further I need to go with my own embroidery skills. I think I have to agree with you though and say that crochet always wins for the ultimate in relaxing creativity - with gardening and cross stitch following closely behind. xx