TAST, SHISHA and FLOWERS

Here is an updated close-up of the tag stitching since the other photo doesn't show the stitch very clearly...

Note I did wrap the dragonfly "wings" twice (once in each direction) to give the body more substance.  I guess I could have used a thicker thread for the body.

The stitch for this week's tag was the Butterfly Chain.  I had never even heard of this stitch, so it was totally new to me.  It was a fun stitch to do with lots of possibilities and I'm sure one that I will use often.

Our Tuesday Stitchers group also decided collectively that we wanted to try Shisha (Mirror) embroidery.  It is another traditional Indian stitch.  If you do a search on the Web I am sure you will be familiar with it.  The biggest challenge was finding the small mirrors used in Shisha.  However, having never tried Shisha and this being a learning thing, I used the stamping blanks I found at Hobby Lobby.  They are about the size of a penny.

This is my one and only attempt so far.  At the front and center is my starting point and I worked toward the right and ended back at the front center in this photo.  It is obvious I had a rough start but felt like I had the stitch down pretty good by the time I made my way around.  I used 2 strands of floss here and my next attempt will be with something a bit thicker.

My week's work...

I also picked some Roses and the last of my Peonies.  I love the scent!  Normally the Peonies are in full bloom over Memorial Day here and we take huge bouquets to decorate at the cemeteries.  I'm not sure what we will use this year, but sadly the rest of the Peonies are spent.

Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend full of good memories.