Saturday catch up on Sunday

Had a busy day yesterday with a visit from my niece and great niece which was lovely. Over a year since I last saw them at a family wedding so lots to catch up on.

I have been working on my Stitch Journal of course and here is this weeks work.

And made a good start on my Chookshed Challenge embroideres. The first one I worked on was a small flowerlet from my Agapanthus - see header picture. The plant deigned to flower for the first time this year - it's fourth summer and following a stern 'this is your last chance' talking to. So worth commemorating I thought in case it is the only time.

I started by drawing with inktense pencils onto my fabric which I then moistened with a water and fabric medium mix. I thought straight away that the colours were too dark but carried on anyway just for the practise. Just as well as at one point I added too much water and the colour spread outside the petal. Having left it to dry and then ironed I wondered if the fabric medium would prevent any watery background colour encroaching into the petals but discovered not. Here is my failure.

After that I tried another with normal watercolour pencils and almost neat fabric medium which has worked very well. I decided against background colour. Here is the finished embroidery over the painted colour.

And with it's frame. I plan to stretch it over card and a double layer of batting which I am sure will be another learning experience!

I have started on the next piece. We grew teasels for the first time this year - well last year from seed and they flowered this year. This is it so far. You can see where I have used the pencils and fabric medium again to go behind the stitching.

And my reference photo. Strange how they flower in bands.

So that is it from me this week - I have been knitting and have a nearly finish so will show next week. Also a new knitting project - the needles arrive tomorrow so hopefully will share my start with you next week too.

Have a great week everyone.