I have another session at the RHS booked for next Friday and would really like to start to mount my piece of work if possible. So today I have made a concerted effort to look at it critically and finish off as much as I can.
I used coral stitch to end the vines in twirls, stem stitch and bullions to form leaves in the big petals of the large flower, stem stitch for the birds legs and bullion for it’s claws.
But there are at least two sections which are really annoying me now. The first of which are the bottom petals of the large flower which are just too orange and I think I may redo these in green or brown.
Secondly, I must have slipped when originally painting the design and as a consequence the birds feet are very wide at their bases. I am now thinking that I may add another vine around the feet to try and hide this.
All I need to think about then is the birds beak and face….
Today was a good day for sewing and I also received a lovely surprise from Sewtherapy on Instagram. She was my ‘Send a little love swap’ – and here are some of the lovely things she made for me.
I just can’t believe that people spend so much time quilting mug rugs (which are lovely) – only to sit an old mug on!
Feeling lucky!
sweetfallenangels 
those mug rugs look like an excuse to treat yourself to a couple of pretty mugs then ^^
I don’t think I can bring myself to putting a (possibly leaking/spilling) cup of tea on them – knowing how much work has gone into them!
but they’ll wash, won’t they?
Beautiful stitchery work. I love making mug rugs. They’re the perfect little sewing fix xx
I am not a quilter, so have never made these – but do appreciate the time and effort that goes into them.
I love the swirls of your vines…and your ‘drawings’ 😃 I had to zoom in as I thought it was thread on top at first (small phone screen!) But when I did, I noticed that the bullion leaves on the left side grabbed my attention as they seemed to crowd the bigger leaf since they were touching the edges, as opposed to the direction and space surrounding the bullion knots on the right leaf. This piece is gorgeous and I hope I’m not coming across as overly critical, but it was something that stood out, more so than the bird’s feet. I know nothing about bird anatomy but your tutors should be able to help….would making both feet wide look unnatural?
You’re very lucky to receive all those hand sewn goodies! The mug rug would be perfect for glasses of cold water over here since it’s so hot, but in the UK, I guess not. I also spied my favourite chocolate in there 😋 Is the tube beside it hand cream?
Thanks Jen, don’t worry – it is really helpful to have other peoples views. The problem with the top petals is that they are not symmetrical – so what ever I put in there looked squashed on one side. I didn’t think about this in the planning stage! Maybe I will wait until I get to the RSN on Friday to ask their opinion on the feet before I start messing around with them. The chocolate did not last long!
Beautiful mug rugs. I have received one from a friend as well, and I only it for my water glass. I am weary to coffee or tea on it too. 🙂 Way to pretty.
I love the bird in your piece. It is looking prettier each time I look at it. 🙂
Thank you – but I need to finish it as I have been looking at it for far too long now!
I will get to meet you in person! I’m in on Friday too 😊
I think there comes a point when you just need to move on. You can make notes on your self assessment of what you don’t like, would do differently. Obviously it’s entirely up to you and if it really does bother you it’s probably best to do something. But, I wouldn’t say it was absolutely necessary.
Look forward to seeing you o Friday!