Colorful Threads, Spring Inspiration

Monday.

It’s a word that strikes dismay in many people’s hearts.

If you’re languishing with the winter blues, or just disappointed it’s Monday, this should cheer you up!

This is a group of embroidery threads that I plan to incorporate in a spring-ish design that I’ve been fiddling with for years and have never gotten around to stitching. And by years, I can tell you exactly when I first doodled the first drawing – it was March 23, 2013. That was almost four years ago!

Finally, I’m going to stitch it. And these are some of the bright and springy colors I’ll be using…just to whet your appetite, you know!

The design is a kind of garden sampler situation – small florals (and some large) and a few particular critters, wherein many colors will come into play. I wanted to make use of some overdyed embroidery floss colors that were particularly evocative of spring, and mix those with solids.

Lorraine at Colour Complements came up with this collection of overdyed colors to get me started.

Now, the thing about initially stitching a project that has never been stitched before is this: chances are, some of the colors I initially start with won’t make the cut, while at the same time, I’ll need to expand and seek other colors.

But these, at least, will get me started.

I already know that I’ll need to expand the green selection. Darker greens are a must! And I’ll need some deep sunflowery-yellows. A good selections of browns…. a wider selection of salmony-reds and pinks. Maybe some blues…Perhaps some silvery-greeny-grays.

Ahhh…color choices!

I always try to keep a complete set of DMC floss on hand, to help facilitate picking colors for any project. It was an initially pricey investment, but I’ve found that it has paid off over the years.

Even if I’m not using DMC floss, I can often talk to a thread retailer, manufacturer or dyer and say, for example, “I’m looking for that thread, but in browns similar to DMC 433-436.” It at least gives us a foundation to begin searching, since long-distance thread selection can be tricky.

And that, my friends, is your little touch of spring brightness for the day.

Have a Happy Monday!!

Looking to Beat the Winter Blues and Embroider Springy Things?

If you’re wanting to add some cheery, springy embroidery projects into your project mix – perfect for beginners and beyond – why not check out two of my e-books?

Lavender Honey & Other Little Things is packed full of step-by-step projects that are little, fun to work, and finish up into adorable little stitching accessories.

Stitch Sampler Alphabet features fun floral letters incorporating a huge variety of stitches and combinations, so that each letter is like working a mini sampler! The letters are wonderful for personalizing gifts or just for stitching for the fun of it!