Show Your Workings

Remember being told to "show your workings" in maths exams??

(Boy, do I not miss doing those!)

Well, today I thought I'd "show my workings" by giving you a look at the back of a couple of my stitchy projects. People so rarely show the back of their stitching that I honestly have no idea if mine is a terrible embarrasing mess, surprisingly neat or somewhere inbetween (I'm guessing and kinda hoping it's the latter, but who knows?!)

Here's the back of the waterlily I stitched this month from a vintage transfer...

... can you spot the bit where - half awake - I paused and then accidentally re-started my stitching in totally the wrong place, carrying my thread across the design? I totally didn't notice I'd done it until it was waaaay too late to go back and unpick.

And here's the (much messier) back of a cross stitch project I started at the weekend.

I was feeling a bit under the weather and needed a nice relaxing project I could work on while curled up on the sofa, binge-watching Supernatural. I had a flick through some of the craft books in my studio and found a lovely one from this book.

I'll share more pics of this project as it progresses... although they will probably (almost definitely) be of the pretty front side of the cross stitch not the messy workings :)

View from the Back...

I'm determined to get the last of my applique / embroidery pictures (based on an image by Askey) finished. Lots of sewing still to go, but I'm getting there slowly. Here's a peek at the stitches behind the scenes:

Crafting 365 / 30 - butterflies again

We went out last night but watched a West Wing when we got back, giving me the chance to get my remaining butterflies to where I wanted them - one finished (an ornament) and the other three with all their felt pieces stitched on ready and waiting for sequins and either ribbon or a brooch back depending what they will be needed as... Here they are along with a "one I made earlier" ornament and including a view of the reverse of my stitching - the bit no-one normally gets to see!

Oh, and from the other night - here is proof of why you should not label your stuff whilst half-asleep... haha.