Bookmark (I Need To Work On Witty Title Creation)

I took the opportunity this week to stitch another bookmark, catching up on some Take A Stitch Tuesday stitches and having another practice of some I've done before.


This week's stitch (well, actually it was last weeks I must confess) was Shisha stitch, the art of attaching small mirrors and other such things to a piece of embroidery. I was pleased when this stitch turned up as I've always wanted to know how to attach shisha glass.
Although the mirror is snug and safe in its stitched cradle, I have actually stuffed up the stitch.

I was checking out some samples of this stitch done by others and wondered why theirs seemed more woven/net-like. I think my mistake is when I've carried the stitches over then under the foundation, I was meant to bring that underneath stitch over the top of the first part to basically create a little cross before doing the anchoring stitch in the main fabric (do I sound like I've been drinking or something?)
A little later I did a small sample on some scrap aida cloth and got it right - yay :-)

The edging stitch on the petals is crossed buttonhole stitch and surrounding that is scroll stitch - a stitch that I'm determined to master neatly as I really like it. It's very easy to pull it too tight and lose the lovely curve, but I'm finding it easier to control if I use a thicker thread.


This little flower is simply edged with buttonhole stitch and the stems are fly stitch. Above the flower is a border of Portuguese knotted stem stitch, another one I really like.


I started the embroidery on this flower by doing a round of palestrina stitch in purple, then using white thread to do a partial whipped wheel stitch, then backstitching around the edge of the petal. Finished off with a few french knots and a bead in the middle. I like the zing the colour of this flower gives to the rest of the bookmark.


And after the bookmark was finished it was time for a little indulgence. I had found the recipe for this yummy Chocolate Tart here and made it a couple of times. It's been perfect and delicious each time. Which is fabulous because I suck at making pastry, a dismal pastry failure. This recipe tells me how to make it using a food processor (a device that spends most of its days lonely in a darkened cupboard), and IT WORKS! MAGNIFICENTLY! I am so proud.