Friday 29 September 2017

Stitching in Zinnia Colours

Last year, I grew a lovely drift of bright and happy zinnias. Their pink, yellow, orange, red and cream petals coloured-in the garden. When trying to decide on a little stitching project, after feeling inspired by several embroidery books from the library, I kept coming back to the zinnia-coloured threads in my stash and so I began ...

Little zinnias on linen.

Simple little flowers, made with tiny french knots for centres and what I think of as a not-so-neat satin stitch for petals, are beginning to scatter themselves across the linen inside my embroidery hoop. Randomly placed, repeated as many times as I wish, tiny and some even a little smaller than that, imperfect and so soothing to stitch.

Brightly coloured & freely-formed flowers.

I'm not sure what I'll do with this little square of embroidered linen once it's done. Perhaps another small project bag, a pocket on a simple skirt, a central and flower-y panel on a reusable tote bag ... what would you suggest?

Last year's colourful zinnias.

Whatever it becomes, it was lovely to be reminded of the zinnias I grew in last Summer's garden. Stitching happiness!

Have a lovely weekend.
Meg



16 comments:

  1. So beautiful Meg, my darling Mum used to grow Zinnias when we lived in Gympie, she had a lovely flower garden that changed with the seasons. You could always frame the linen picture when you are finished it, in a light timber frame. Have a lovely long weekend.
    Fi

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    1. Flower gardens are beautiful! My grandparents sowed new seeds each season and then the flowers would emerge ... zinnias, sweet peas and many more depending on the time of year. I hadn't thought of framing up the stitching, a light timber frame would be lovely to match in with the creamy zinnias in the stitching. Enjoy your long weekend! Meg:)

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  2. Lovely colours Meg! I think it would look perfect as a pocket on an apron.

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    1. Thanks, Jan. The two aprons I use are actually my husband's from when he helped out with a kindergarten sausage sizzle many years ago. I think I'd like a new apron of my own! Meg:)

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  3. Beautiful colours Meg and so delicate. I think it would be good on a library bag.
    Kylie

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    1. Thanks, Kylie. I like the way these colours work together. A new library bag would be lovely! Meg:)

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  4. Lovely and cheerful Meg. What about a needle case with that also has a little pocket to slip your embroidery scissors into?

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    1. I don't have a needle case, Sherri. I must look in to how to make one. Would make a lovely gift too. Meg:)

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  5. Zinnias and Ranunculas are two of my favorite happy flowers Meg. Your stitching looks beautiful and would be so precious after all the hours you will put into it. Framed on the wall perhaps?

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    1. I've never grown Ranunculas, Sally. Zinnias are a firm favourite though as they are easy to grow here and they add so much colour to the garden. The bees love them as well. I have thought about some kind of stitched border around the edge of the embroidery, I think some kind of frame will help to balance the random scattering of those zinnia flowers. Meg:)

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  6. I love zinnias. They are one of my favorite flowers. Your embroidery is beautiful. I like all of the ideas.

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    1. There are self-seeded Zinnias popping up in the garden at the moment, little pops of colour here and there. They are such a happy flower. Meg:)

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  7. So sweet Meg! I think they would good on just about anything! I'm really itching to give embroidery a go now.

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    1. All you need is some linen, a needle and some threads, Belinda, and you'll be on your way. There are some really clear tutorials on You-tube that would help with learning different stitches. Meg:)

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  8. I love your colourful embroidered zinnas, Meg! Such a bright and cheerful reminder of summer :)

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    1. Thanks, Melissa. I think they look pretty cheerful so I'll keep stitching them onto the linen and see what happens! Meg:)

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