Mini Mystery Monday, April 2013, pt. 2

Did you enjoy working your blackwork flowers in a variegated thread?  Looks pretty different, doesn't it?

The next step is really easy and fast....  Here's the graph to follow:

Work the scalloped edge with 1 strand of your medium solid color. (I was almost going to make it an ecru border, but I thought we'd go with some color; it's always fun to try something new and see if we like the effect.)  Then add the metallic Smyrnas between the scallops. Yes, if you want, you can certainly stitch the Smyrnas first, and then the scallops -- but if you work the scallops first, when you go to stitch the Smyrnas you can push your metallic thread & needle thru your stitched scallops (on the backside) to hide your thread as you move from Smyrna to Smyrna.

Sometimes as you stitch you have to consider your stitch sequences before you dive in and start stitching.  I always try to plan out my stitching so I have something to "tie in to" with my stops and starts and moving the threads around on the canvas.  I use what I have stitched on the canvas to hide my new threads, weaving carefully thru existing stitches.  You know how it goes, Stitchers.... ya gotta be kinda crafty when you work your needlepoint projects!

Ahem... I guess I should warn you that this little design does not have a hard, square, geometric look. Rather, it's got more of a lacy valentine look, or maybe a kind of stitched doily thing going on. Which makes a nice change from the other mystery pieces, don't you think?

Anyway, as you stitch you can see that you've already got the circular floral motifs that you stitched last week.... and now we're adding a softly undulating scalloped edge. 

Stayed tuned for next week's adventure, when we add some more tidbits of color!