A goldfinch lifting off above a clump of flowering thistles, taken from Hannah Dale's artwork for Wrendale Designs. The Aida comes already printed with the brown speckle background, so the soft depth behind the birds and flowers is there from the start and the stitching stays on the subject. The stranded cottons arrive pre-sorted by colour, ready to work from the chart.
Alongside cross stitch you will use back stitch for the fine outlines of feathers and spines, plus a single French knot: easy details to pick up if they are new to you. A hoop or frame is useful and the picture frame is not included; a pale mount sets off the speckled ground nicely.