The Playing Of The Merrie Organ...

...Sweet Singing In The Choir 

My parcel from Kirsten arrived yesterday. Her stitching was stunning - initially it just looks like a wintry hedgerow, then you realise the subtle Christmas references behind it. 

She has cross-stitched a beautiful back ground in shades of green, ivy-like foliage. Then embroidered over the top of that - Holly leaves, berries and flowers. 

The leaves are outlines, silvery metallic thread couched in place with darker brown. As you move it, the piece reflects light like frost on the edges of the leaves., and the berries and blooms are bright pops of colour. 

And these all represent the ancient Christmas Carol of the Holly and the Ivy.  Traditionally Holly and Ivy symbolise male and female, and in this carol they specifically stand for Jesus and Mary. 

It is a lovely piece of sewing, the textures and techniques perfectly executed. Like me Kirsten is relishing the challenge of trying out new ideas with stitching and I think this section is fantastic. 

We've both noticed the difference between the depth of colour when the whole area is cross stitched, with more stitching on top, and the more traditional "sampler" style where there are areas of blank canvas between stitches and it feels "lighter". 

Just two more sections and the border - I wonder if we will be done by Easter?