First step

All four corners are done in the first step of the Holbein stitch.  Moving on!

Holbein

Lesson Four is all about squaring out the corners.  The first step is the Holbein stitch worked with two strands of Flamingo.  The center stitch is a Fan Double Fan doubled stitch by Jean Hilton worked in Soie Perlee.  Then 4 straight stitches are also worked under and over the fans.

Soie Perlee

Next up was to fill in the side triangles!  The pattern is worked in Soie Perlee and is very shiny but the photo does not capture the shine.  This took a long longer than I thought it would to fill in!

Both done!

I completed both of the rectangles.  These both had a single strand of Soie Cristale laid vertically and horizontally as the first step.  Then on the left, Mosaic stitches are reversed in some of the boxes, Smyrna cross in others and then beads.  On the right, Rice stitches are filled in with Flamingo and then more beads.

Lesson 2

Lesson 2 begins with boxes F, G. and H.  F on the left has ray stitches crossed with Flamingo to create flowers.  G in the center has satin stitches and then Hungarian stitches.  H has triple crosses and those are covered with crosses.  Lots of tiny little stitches to create the flower garden.

Area E

So, after filling in all of the lazy daisy stitches, Scotch stitches change directions as it is worked down and with Flamingo.  Beads are attached.  Both Area D & E needed to have each intersection covered with a strand of Accentuate.  That is very hard to see but it is there.

Areas C, D

I finished up area C-the one on the top left. Area D is the long rectangle on the right.  It has vertical and horizontal threads first with a single ply.  Then two ply of the Flamingo to create modified eyelets.  Last petite Mill Hill beads are placed in alternately directions in rows.  Area E is started.  It has horizontal and vertical rows, also of Soie Cristal.  Then a single strand of the same thread creates lazy daisy stitches over some of the boxes.  More to come on that!

So you can see...

I have laid the two colors on the left side.  Since the outside border is looking yellow to some, I darkened the photo as well.  The inner thread is Waterlilies and the outer thread is Soie d Cristale.  The outside border is worked with 2 ply of the inner color.  The designs in the boxes is worked with either one or two ply of the outer color.  The "flowers" in the design is worked with two ply of Waterlilies Flamingo and a strand of Accentuate. Since this is spring, the designs should  look like flowers.

Squares and Rectangles

I have filled in the connected squares with more squares and some rectangles!  Still using the same Wildflowers color.

Around the outside

I made it around the outside and joined the two squares.  Next is to put squares in the squares!

Setting up

I have stitched the frame for the first half of the rectangle using 2 ply of Waterlilies.

Mystery #3

This is Mystery #3 by Loretta Spears called Spring Reflections.  I have already worked Summer, Fall and Winter so this is the last one in the series of four.  We have an 8 x 11 cut of 24 ct Congress, Waterlilies, Soie Critale, Au Ver a Soie Perlee, Accentuate and beads.  Off to staple this to some bars.

Finished!

Lunar Santa is all stitched and he has two rows of basketweave around the outside for the finishing!
Time to dig in the stash pile and see what is next!

Disappeared

I posted this yesterday and this morning, it was gone.  I am working along and he is worked down to the staff.  Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!

Santa's Back!

He is back on the frame!  I finished his beard, worked the star on the left and the moon in the center.  Next, he is worked down to the bottom of his sleeves.