Mabel's cross stitch

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:33 am

I've been doing mainly Hardanger lately (you may have noticed...

) except for some cross stitched words within designs, but playing with some Gumnut silks I found they were perfect for some geometric/abstract designs. I called them Bittersweet, after the plant with purple and yellow flowers, and I've just finished the first of the set; stitched using two strands over two on 36ct Edinburgh linen.

The silks are lovely to work with, and they have a beautifully subtle shading -- the threads are each one colour, but changing between lighter and darker in a most satisfying way; I hope it'll show at least a little in the picture. Now it's back to Flodgarry before I start the second one of these!

Mrs Milkybar Kid · Post by **Mrs Milkybar Kid** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:39 am

Absolutely beautiful Mabel - but then as a purple freak I am biased! I have not tried Gumnut silks yet so will have to add them to my list.......I think the London Bead Company sells them don't they -are they one of the few Sew and Sew don't sell?

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:56 am

That's right, Sew & So have so far ignored these

but the LBC are very good. I think the prices of the Gumnut silks have gone up rather since I bought these, though

(did a quick check against my silks comparison chart, and the stranded silks have gone up from Â£3.25 to Â£4.40, the perles from Â£3.85 to Â£5.50. *gulp*)

Mrs Milkybar Kid · Post by **Mrs Milkybar Kid** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 12:07 pm

I've come to accept the cost of silks - sort of ! How would you say the Gumnuts compare to Dinky Dyes for example (equivalent cost for the same 6 strand 8M skein being Â£2.81) or Waterlillies (which still seem to be my favourite so far)?

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 12:13 pm

I've found them lovely to work with, and they are a soft silk much like Dinky Dyes; Waterlilies is a little more twisted. The disadvantage is that although every colour has five shades (which is great for detailed shading), there aren't that many colours, so it wouldn't do for very complicated designs with loads of colours.
For solid colour silks, I find Caron's Soie Cristale hard to beat but oh boy the cost...
Also HDF (Vikki Clayton), which has many shades and is a bit more affordable but as far as I know only available from America, so you have to add import duty (and the unavoidable Royal Mail handling fee of Â£8

) to any order over about Â£15

For variegated/shaded silks I

Gloriana. But again, the expense puts me off except when I'm gicing myself a special treat

Cecilia · Post by **Cecilia** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 12:32 pm

That's beautiful.

jocellogirl · Post by **jocellogirl** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 12:56 pm

That is just so beautiful, Mabel. You're so talented.

rcperryls · Post by **rcperryls** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 1:29 pm

that is a beautiful design Mabel. I love your creativity. Can't wait to see more of these developing.

Carole

fiddler · Post by **fiddler** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 3:00 pm

Beautiful

karen4bells · Post by **karen4bells** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:04 pm

very pretty!!

LadyS · Post by **LadyS** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:11 pm

Beautiful design and I love the shading on the threads.

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:06 pm

Re: Mabel's cross stitch

tiffstitch · Post by **tiffstitch** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:53 pm

Ooo, I like that and I can see the subtle colour variations too. Good luck with Flodgarry too!

Juel · Post by **Juel** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:38 pm

Stunning!
Those colors are amazing

pattiebelle · Post by **pattiebelle** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:01 pm

soo pretty

Raine · Post by **Raine** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:33 pm

Lovely!

seedreemer · Post by **seedreemer** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 4:58 am

That's absolutely lovely! You are SO talented.

Christy

Nachstenliebe · Post by **Nachstenliebe** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:48 pm

It looks wonderful... the colors really stand out.. yet blend together so well
Faith

coffee_freak · Post by **coffee_freak** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 4:38 pm

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:17 am

Managed to finish the second of the three Bittersweet designs -- this is the smallest of the three. The third is much chunkier and I'm looking forward to stitching it! But I will probably do Cross My Heart first because people might want to stitch it for Valentine's Day, so it should really be up on my site by next week