April Raffle

I've been working for weeks on this piece for the April Raffle on All Things Crafty.  I started with a 5 x 7 mounted canvas which I sponged with watercolours to create a natural background.  I then used various stamps including the freebie from Craft Stamper May issue to build up a soft, almost impressionistic garden scene with hints of flowers and foliage.  I will admit that some of this effect was quite by accident as it's hard to get a clear impression when stamping on canvas unless you are pushing the canvas from underneath.  I found this out by trial and error but I have to say I really loved the effect. 

I then embellished with some simple embroidery stitches, stuck on a few petal shapes cut from a scrap of cloth and blanket stitched the edges, and found a dragonfly print fabric that I could cut out a single dragonfly.  It's finished off with some beads set in Glossy Accents, another trick picked up from Craft Stamper.

I must say this has been one of the most enjoyable projects I have ever done as it has finally joined my love of stitching with my growing confidence in other crafts.  I will be doing a sister to this canvas to keep as this one will be given away, and I am planning to do much more on a far bigger scale.  I have not felt this inspired since started my Woodland Enchantress (still waiting to be framed so no pic yet!).  I hope whoever wins this enjoys it as much as I did.