The Tipsy Thistle, First Hurdle

I sat down yesterday afternoon eager to start stitching on my new project. This was to be a 'no thinking' project, one where instead of having to come up with a design and decide on stitch choices colours etc, I would simply follow the instructions to the letter and enjoy the actual process of embroidery, free from having to make any decisions. Great idea in theory, but as I discovered very quickly, that while the kit comes with a very helpful digram detailing which colour and stitch to use where, it doesn't actually have any stitch diagrams or a 'how to' section!

Ok, no problem I thought, I have bought a couple of good embroidery books since I started learning, I'll just use those for the stitches I don't know. The first section contained Fishbone stitch and seeding; I have done both of these before, so a quick refresher and I was off. I did decide to substitute the smaller fishbone section in pale green for a detached chain/lazy daisy stitch which I thought looked better.

Next up section two: 'Alternate or magic chain and trellis with cross stitch' ok I have done a little trellis work and cross stitch, there was also a helpful section in my book if I got stuck, but magic chain?!!! what on earth is that?! it's not in any of my stitching books! I know I could look it up on the internet, but I was comfortably seated and wanted to stitch not get up and turn on the computer. I decided to substitute chain stitch with a backstitch filling which turned out ok

I have since checked and Mary Corbet has a great video demonstrating alternate chain which you can find HERE should you wish to have a go. I might try it one day, but for now I think I will just accept that my thistle will look nothing like the original :) I am really enjoying working the design and am more than happy to change stitches if they don't suit me, I see next up are bullion knots one of my least favourites - french knots anyone?