Prettier In Pink

 I couldn't decide what to stitch for the Postcard Project this month. My niece gets married next Saturday, and I wondered about a romantic motif involving ribbons and lace. But the garden is looking splendid and I wondered about something relating to that. Then I had an idea...

Why not copy the terracotta tile which Liz gave me? It hangs in the garden - and the wording, plus the doves&roses pattern are both suitably romantic and wedding-y. In the loft I have a small book of fabric samples - all 22 x 13 cm, in about 30 different shades. It is a medium weight upholstery cotton.

I spent ages choosing the one nearest to the terracotta colour. I printed off the picture - having reduced it in size from 10x10 to 5x5 cm.[full size would take up too much space on the postcard] 

I used dress-makers carbon to reproduce the pattern [simplified] onto the fabric, put it in a hoop and started stitching. I chose black and red-brown threads using 1 or two strands, with backstitch and blanket stitch. And it was way too dark. The black looked thick and clumsy, the red threads could only be seen properly in certain lights. Start again...

This time I chose a lighter pink. I simplified the birds' wings but put more detail on the flowers. Here it is blanket-stitched to the postcard. Paler pink is a nod to the forthcoming wedding celebrations. I think it works much better!

My niece here in Norfolk is at a wedding today, and I have altered her new jumpsuit this week too. Now it is full steam ahead on a royal-themed project relating to the Jubilee Celebrations. Watch this space...