learning and doodling

the doodle bag continues gently - now i am also using it as a rest from my most recent project







on saturday i joined a one day class on traditional stitch technique - a timely exercise for me as i feel a need to extend my hand-stitching range

 the project was rather different to my usual casual approach and i also chose the pink colour scheme, rather out of my normal palette, but it felt warmer than the blue

progress was slow, but i found it satisfying to get the gold pearl purl scissor outline in place fairly accurately with minor distortion - i thought it was a very acceptable first try

i struggled with the long and short stitch fill on the cotton reel - splitting stitches in single ply thread is at the far limit of my eye acuity and needle skills - but i found it surprisingly satisfying, especially when the result was rather smooth

three days later it looks like this and i'm still enjoying the challenge, but looking forward to some of the easier areas where i can use familiar stitches

i have never stitched on fabric at this tension before - it makes accuracy easier even though it is tougher on the fingers - so i can now see the advantage of it