Thanks for the input on fabric choices for my "Dainty Housewren". I think I will end up using the red, though the gold is nice, too. The contrast works well with the black fabric (Ink Spot Black I should say). I do want to lay the beads against the fabric, just to make sure, however. Still, I need to add the beads to the stitched piece--so first things first. It just feels good to have my fabric ready to go!
I've been in the mood to work on my "Sampler Farm", so I finally pulled it out again this week. Once again I've not had a lot of stitching time in the evenings, but I have managed to add a few more stitches.
This is the section I've been concentrating on--the over one stitching. I've discovered that I made a mistake--the right border of the black frame is one thread short, so the sunflowers are going to run into it on the right side. I'm not going to pick out over one stitches, so I will have be a little creative on that side. Who'll know the difference, right?
I've also started working on the next row of the border (three different rows/colors plus the little inner stitch another color I'll leave until last). Sitting next to each other the flosses (730 and 732) -- you can tell they have different tones, but stitched next to each other they seem to blend together. Maybe once I add the outer 734 it will help separate the colors out more? I wish there was a bit more contrast, but I don't want to make any changes now. Still, it's shaping up nicely and I can't wait to make more progress!