Encrusted RR#1 - Paula's Block

First off I have to say that “pink” stumps me every time and I finally had to start this off with my tatted edging "Spring Flowers Bookmark" that I stitched along the roses silkie and the green patch adding purple beads for the flower like pieces.  From there I added beads to the white butterfly.  I also found a new tatting pattern and tried it out and decided I had to make a bouquet of 3-D roses "The Jessica Rose" for the green patch – let me tell you that took a while to complete but well worth it I think!  Then my December went downhill and I didn’t get any more stitched on here until New Year’s Eve.
 

After Peggy Sue's embellishing

That’s when I started to fill in the daisy netting flowers with SRE and beaded centres and from there I added more beads to the frilled lower edge.  Then I stitched on my dragonflies and butterfly charms and decided to fill the empty space with scattered pearls.  I then decided that the large roses needed some centre definition, so I used DMC metallic and only for the bud parts in stem.  I think this made them pop!

Upper pink and lace patch - Rose Anne's embellishing

OKAY that’s done now what do I do with the roses on the green patch along with the butterflies and dragonfly charms???  Well I finally gave up looking through my CQing books and pics for inspiration and emailed my CQing groups for help.  I received a number of suggestions – three I decided upon – keep background simple (Cobi), frame the roses in an SRE heart (Katie) and add some fern-like fillers (Leslie).  Easier said than done I tell you!!!  I thank all that sent ideas and I’ve kept them for future use, much appreciated.


OK tatted edging and 3-D roses bouquet - now what?

First off I fly stitched “ferns” onto the background amongst the roses, then I found my silk ribbon, folded it in half and anchored it under the stems and then twisted them up and around in a heart shape anchoring with a single bead strategically.  After I ended it, I went back and added a couple more beads alternately.  Then I found a white blended to cream floss and added French knots all around.  I think this ties in nicely with the green and cream tatted edging.


Green patch - Rose Anne's embellishing

And here is the block so far – two more stitchers yet to work on this!  Looks pretty good, if I say so myself!!! 

After Peggy Sue's and Rose Anne's embellishing!

So I hope Paula likes what I added to her block and I must say I am finding this “encrusting” technique a bit of a challenge – as I think I like to keep things more simpler and open!  These RRs are great learning tools!!!