Feeding time

A winter garden scene by Marjolein Bastin: the tits squabble over the feeder, one of them caught in flight with its wings spread, while dried grasses form a delicate border. The design is worked by counting the threads of the evenweave fabric, with stitches over two threads, and the back stitch outlines bring out the feathers and beaks.

Everything you need for the stitching is in the kit, threads included and already sorted on the organiser so the shades stay in order. The frame is not included: once finished, the piece looks its best mounted with a pale mount, as in the photo. A hoop or frame and a small pair of embroidery scissors are useful too.