Chalkhill Blue

Back in March I introduced my second bit of stitching for our Sussex Stitchers banner and gave you an update in April. I'm pleased to say I have now finished my little butterfly and am very pleased with the result. It has been slow going though. As mentioned before, the application of magnifying lamp, extra glasses. alternative glasses and bright light still didn't quite compensate for my ageing eyes, at times I was stitching, glasses off, with it held right at the tip of my nose! Perhaps it is time for another visit to the optician.  However, the sunny circle is attached to its blue background and a ring of flowers in fly stitch and detached chain have been added to give him some nectar to sip while he flutters there. The colours are not quite right here, too dark, but when I adjusted for the blue ground the detail of his wings became rather washed out

Here you can see a bit more of the silk shading, all a single thread of floss; also the very enjoyable and, I hope, appropriate Turkey Rug Stitch which has given his furry little body just the right texture

I'm very much looking forward to seeing our banner completed, with all the individual embroideries gathered together. Sussex has provided all of us who are taking part with some very interesting imagery and we have a fine range of techniques and expertise to express those ideas.