Stitching Blog: Who Says Elephants Can't Dance?

Hi everyone!

For my second stitching post, I want to share a tradition of mine. Every presidential election cycle (So 2008 and 2012) I stitch the two major political party mascots. During the Opening Ceremonies of the Rio Olympics, I finished stitching this cycle's elephant. (I love elephants so much everyone, they're such wonderful, intelligent, empathic animals!!) I finished stitching the donkey while watching the men's cycling last Saturday. The donkey's post will be up next. :) 

So, above is an image of the elephant in progress. I used a variated fern ray stitch Entice thread, no. E221 for the red stripes. I like this stitch for covering large, straight lines. Its also a very quick stitch, but it uses a whoooole lot on the back, so you run through the stitch card quickly. The white stripe was done in a continental stitch in Sparkle Rays no.PS21.  Both threads are very shimmery, and in the light the elephant just glistens. 

I stitched the elephant's trunk using the same Sparkle Rays thread and small cross stitch X's for the white sections. The pink part was done in Petite Very Velvet no. V610. Protip: I love the petite very velvet threads, but they shed. Try to stitch them before you do the surrounding areas. 

The gold was in Krenik 10M, no. 002. This is a basic gold fiber and it provides a nice, glam look, without fighting the red and white fibers.

I stitched the blue portion in a basic navy Splendor silk. I used the diagonal mosaic, which is one of my go-to stitches. I always think that it's a perfect background stitch, the stitch has a regular look to it, and it also keeps the eye moving, so you don't get stuck looking at it too much. The silver stars were done in a very silvery Sparkle Rays thread with the basket weave stitch. (I used up both of the thread cars for these two sections and accidentally threw them out before I recorded them for the blog. Many apologies!) The eye was done in the black shimmery Entice thread, and has just a hint of life when you tilt the elephant. The limbs were slightly outlined with the pink Very Velvet as well, to add a little dimension. 

I have a couple of thoughts about how this piece turned out. First, I feel the need to pin a tail on him. I may do that tomorrow. I also want to try to take a better picture to show you how much he does glisten. What's so beautiful for this elephant is the beautiful red and white I used. I'll also go back and outline him in a basic white Splendor silk, to make finishing him easier.

Next up, the donkey!