Summer

One of Marjolein Bastin's seasonal designs: a peacock butterfly rests among raspberry and blueberry twigs, a second butterfly flutters above and the word 'ZOMER' sits in the bottom corner. The shaded greens and warm wing colours give the piece an almost watercolour feel.

It is worked on evenweave, usually over two threads, and combines cross stitch with backstitched outlines and french knots; the manufacturer rates it as a demanding design, better suited to stitchers with some experience. A hoop or frame and a small pair of scissors are handy extras. The frame shown in the photo is not included: the finished picture needs lacing and framing separately.