The Forest

Left side - Red Kerchief
Don't know if I instinctively decided the next section I would start would be the tree and background forest or if I was just impatient and wanted to see how the snow and trees would fit in together; but the right side background is actually what I should have stitched..."all in good time, my pretty, all in good time". LOL!

The tree trunks are worked in outline stitch with Caron's Wildflowers Black Forest. Using one strand this variegated thread is in between the #8 and #12 Perle Coton in weight, but has more of a matte finish making it perfect for a tree trunk. The stitching on the trunks took about one and three-quarter hours. The tree's needles are worked in a variation Diamond Ray pattern using Pine by The Gentler Art Sampler Threads; a lovely hand dyed over-dyed floss. The background "forest" also uses a Gentler Art thread, Simply Shaker in Green Pastures. I've left the link to Gentler Arts in case you're not familiar with these beautiful threads.

I really like the way the canvas came pre-shaded in appropriate colors allowing for the use of very light and subtle stitches (unconventional Ermine stitch), that effectively take advantage of the background tinting. Total stitching time for the greenery 4 - hours so far. Seems slow but the stitches actually move along quickly, it's the starting and ending of the threads that takes a little more time on an open pattern design like this. I am thoroughly enjoying this project as Caela's design has just the right tempo to it; you just begin to get anxious to finish one section and before you know it you're on to the next! Perfect timing for this instant gratification girl with a slight tendency of adult ADD.