Beetle Sampler Done

 Really happy that I didn't buy any supplies - though at time tempted! The last beetle was the most difficult, partly because I don't have the correct weight threads.

Contemplating frame now...

Fourth Beetle

 Almost there.

Third Beetle done

 The third beetle so far has the most substitutions. 

Jane Nicholas Beetle Sampler

I was almost ready to order the kit from Jane Nicholas before I realized that the instructions and templates are in my beetle book, and the kit only has supplies. I had the brilliant idea of using my stash, making substitutions for the metal threads that I don't have. I'll see.

I printed the templates onto tracing paper and basted it on the fabric. I've been using this technique for a while; it takes more effort, but the basting thread can be removed in the end with no design lines left behind. I use 100 weight fine silk thread for the basting.

I've finished two beetles, the second one is quite difficult to do, and substitutions made it twice as hard! 

Shades of Blue Framed

 Debated between a gold second mat or the blue one; settled on the blue. My framer would cut the mats with reverse bevels, so there is no distracting white edge around the mats. I picked a frosted gold metal frame.

Alison Cole's Shades of Blue

Finished and waiting for my ordered frame. I thought this would be more difficult than Poppy, but surprisingly it was not as hard. Made a couple of changes: one of the petals was stitched with long-and-short stitch silk, instead of chain stitch with passing thread. More significant change was using DMC's metal mesh. It really turned out well; I finally had a use of the DMC mesh that I ordered when it first came out years ago. Next project is Jane Nicholas's Beetle Sampler.