Mouth of the Flower Cross Stitch

[amber555]

This is Octavio Ocampo's Mouth of the Flower, the companion piece to the Family of Birds cross stitch http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=362400.msg4253665#msg4253665 that I completed in October. I was right about this one being a lot quicker to stitch. I attribute that to the wonderful flower stems, which are only 3-5 stitches wide and take far less time than an entire tree trunk to stitch up.



I mentioned before how the women in the pictures reminded me of Francine and Katchoo from Terry Moore's wonderful Strangers in Paradise. This lady is the one that's reminding me of Katchoo, while the other one struck me as sharing similarities with Francine.



Like the other piece, this one was stitched on a 32 count belfast cream linen.







This butterfly, which also acts as the woman's nose, is the only part of the picture that has backstitching. I'm blown away by how clear and detailed the picture looks, despite the fact that it doesn't require the whole piece to be backstitched.



Of the two pictures, this one is my favourite. I really like how vibrant the colours are and it was a lot of fun to stitch because the individual elements are relatively small. In most cases I could get a particular part of the picture, such as the butterfly or a flower, done in a single day and really feel like I was accomplishing something.

Thanks for looking,
amber555

[merricat17]

This is incredible.  Your stitching is so perfect, and the piece chosen is simply perfect.  this rocks!

[pazuzuspetals]

This is sooo beautiful!! I saw the other one you did with the birds...they are both amazing.
You have mad skills...I bow to you!!

[dragonfire411]

  Amazing!!! 

[ratINcat]

Yet another beautiful work!
Well done 

[coraboo]

those are so amazing!!
Would you mind if I asked where you got the pattern?

[ZombriNation]

Oh my goodness this is beautiful.

[amber555]

those are so amazing!!
Would you mind if I asked where you got the pattern?

Thanks for the compliments everyone!

Coraboo, the patterns were published by a company called The Stitching Studio. I know the pattern is available from Loving Stitch's online store (http://www.lovingstitch.net/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_85&products_id=232&zenid=hrivmlmdd56h2i4l1496i6f740). They used to have an actual store near where I lived, but unfortunately it closed down back in April. My friend picked up the patterns for me while visiting Victoria, British Columbia, at the Buttoned Up store. They also have an online store and seem to still be carrying the patterns. (http://www.buttonedup.com/Catalogue/Needlework/Cross-Stitch-Charts/The-Stitching-Studio/The-Stitching-Studio-Page-3.aspx)

I believe both stores can also sell you the fabric to make the pictures. I stitched mine on a 32 count Belfast cream linen, instead of the recommended lavender colour. I also recommend buying a piece of fabric that is about 4-6 inches wider/longer than the pattern recommends. I found it's recommendation only left about 1-2 inches of blank space around the edge of the design. Most framers prefer to have more than that. If you're in the U.S. or U.K. you may also want to check online cross stitch stores in your country. I'm not sure what the shipping costs would be from these Canadian stores. 

Hope the links help. Have fun stitching,
amber555

[I Sew Cute]

This is a work of art! I'm in awe of the even stitching! I'd go cross eyed! 

[coraboo]

Thank you so much for all the advice! its just so pretty. Your's is perfect!