The vintage rose design that I posted for you on May 31 post........

has turned out to be one of my favorites to hand embroider.

Have any of you traced off your design yet?

I worked the rose in three different shades of red.....................

I usually love to work pink roses..........but this design seemed to call for a more vintage look of red.........

then I selected several different colors for the leaves and vines..............

Over the years, I have come to love the different hues of green that one can find in leaves and foliage.

How about you?

This time, I wanted to experiment with a few light colors on the leaves. I also wanted the thorns on the stem to stand out a little. I always tend to make the small daisies into blue forget-me-nots.

I love the way these colors all worked together, giving the piece almost an nostalgic charm to it.

As you can see, I decided not to place the french knot/eyelet holes in the inside heart space(see the design above), but decided to leave that space blank. It would be a perfect spot to monogram an initial for pillowcases or towels..............

don't you think?

And here it is...............I really enjoyed working on this piece.

Have any of you started to embroider this design yet?

If so, what color did you chose for the roses.............the leaves...........

and the small daisies.

I would love to hear about it and to see your work!

While tending my flower gardens, this beautiful creature posed long enough for me to take a photo of it...............even though I am sure it is one of many who are destroying half of my blooms.............

I love the insect world.............

the creatures in it are full of design and color..............

and a bit whimsical..........

don't you think?

I think this creature just might be a design in my next book I am working on..................

How about you?

Do you love some insects?

The graceful butterfly............the busy bee...............

or  the jeweled back beetle perhaps?

I would love to hear!

A little bit added to what you've already got, gives you a little bit more.........

P.G.Wodehouse

I think on this quote a lot as I work my stitches into my designs. While standard embroidery is charming on it's own, adding just a few more stitches...........

 is like having a garden full of beautiful flowers...................and then..........

a butterfly lightly glides in to rest on one.

It can make all of the difference in the world.

There are some designs that I chose to simply hand embroider with the standard outline stitch................

and then there are some designs that just beg me to bring them to life..............

with just  a little bit added.

How about you?

Do you find yourself changing a design or

adding a little bit to it?

I would love to hear!