Cross Stitch loves Gobelin Stitch

Adding Gobelin Stitch to my cross stitch project

tulip sampler framed in shadow box

I recently finished a tulip sampler.  It's the wrong season for tulips obviously, but I really like it. 

I made a padded fabric mat with a burgundy-colored velour, and put everything inside a shadow box frame.  

I used a pattern from "100 Cross-Stitch Gifts from Nature",  offered by The Vanessa-Ann Collection.   "Vanessa-Ann" is one of my favorite cross stitch designers and this book is definitely a keeper. 
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detail of gobelin stitch frames

The designers give you 4 different colorways, but I threw caution to the winds and used a little bit of all my favorite colors.  

I also used gobelin stitch to replace the little cross stitch borders in the sampler.  Gobelin stitch here is really just a slanted straight stitch.  It's a basic needlepoint stitch that I think is perfect in this design, as it really keeps the tulips front and center.  

Mixing up cross stitching with needlepoint and pulled thread stitches is always fun to do.

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