Stars (and Snow) in the Sky

Petei Angel's Blue Sky Framework with Stars

During the madness that is Christmas prep I have managed to work on my little Petei angel's background. I decided to make the ornament a rectangle (easy to finish) and give her a sky to fly in.  I wanted stars in the sky as well, so I used a variation of a stitch that Sheena has posted on her blog.  She calls it Double Flower Variation.  I used Smyrna crosses inside the diamonds, which I've made smaller, and am omitting the + sign between the diamond outlines.
http://www.sheenasstitches.com/good-luck-christmas-eve/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SheenasStitches+%28Sheena%27s+Stitches%29

The framework is two plies of a medium blue Mandarin Floss.  I added Smyrna Crosses in a darker blue Petite Treasure Braid here and there to simulate a starry sky.  Love both those threads!

The Sky Gets Bluer

The next step is to work more Smyrna crosses, this time in a lighter blue color using Petite Silk Lame Braid.  Love that thread, too!  I'm sorry that the metallic sparkle doesn't show up here.  In person it is lovely, just what I wanted.  This is as far as I've gotten, although I've worked on her each night for a week.  This is not a quick background stitch and is a lot of work for a small ornament but I think the time invested is worth it.  It is just what I envisioned for my angel.

I am debating whether to experiment with split stitch for her face or to play around with Flair for her fingers.  I might just work on her stockings while I think that one over....

Watson Awaiting Santa

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

My Wish for 2013--Stitch Healthy

Now that we have (mostly) made it through the holiday season, it is time to think about our New Year's Resolutions. How about stitching in a more healthy manner?  Kathy has some wonderful tips about what helped her hand pain.
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2012/11/21/healthy-stitching/

http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2012/11/28/healthy-stitching-2/

I've kept links to Barbara Bergsten's website in the right hand column of Blog for a year now.  They are just under the koi pond.  Please refer to them often.  I am going to add Kathy's information as well.  There's nothing more important that good health.  Don't let your stitching habits cause you pain!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com