Saturday Update

I didn't stitch at all yesterday - although I intended to!

I was going to Nottingham for a Bookcrossing meet, and as usual, dithered on the computer a bit too long. As I had a train to catch, I grabbed my scissors, a small hoop and a Periwinkle Promises kit to wile away the train journey (it's about 50 minutes). Got to the station, just in time to get the train, settled in my seat, opened the kit ... oops! Periwinkle Promises kits don't include a needle, and my needle box was in my other handbag... Fortunately, I had a book on me :o)

There doesn't seem to be a general craft shop in the middle of Nottingham, but I did find The Bead Shop, where I got a few charms, some seed beads, and a wire knitting kit to make myself a bracelet. It sounds fun - and easy :o)

Beehive Beaded Pin - Mill Hill

(Apologies for the poor image - scanning an object with beads on isn't ever going to be hugely successful!)

This was something of an experiment for me - I bought this kit off eBay because basically it was a beehive - I wasn't sure about all the beading, but thought I would give it a go!

The hardest part of the kit was sorting the beads - fortunately, I had a spare bead caddy which I could use, but it was still annoying that all the beads were just jumbled together in one bag, especially as three of the colours were very similar when viewed "hole on".

There were sufficient spares to allow for dropped or misshapen beads, and a good quantity of thread, which was DMC. The instructions were very clear, and the formation of the flowers looked more complicated than it actually was!

Stitching on perforated paper is nice because the needle passes through so easily - no effort required! :o)

The suggested finish is as a brooch, but that's not really my style, so I think I might actually mount the finished piece onto a velvet background and frame it.

Design Details

Fabric: 14 count perforated paper, light brown
Threads: DMC Light Effects metallic threads
Designer: Ellen Scheidler
Kit Details: Spring Bouquet III - Beehive MHSB26 - Mill Hill (c) 1994
Stitch Count: 29H x 25V
Stitches Used: Cross Stitch, Satin Stitch
Threads Used: DMC 319, 3046, 310 Two strands used throughout.
Embellishments: Mill Hill Beads 332, 62031, 2014, 62041, 62034, 2005, 123, 2011
Modifications Made: Substituted black cross stitches for the black beads in hive opening.