Pretty Peacock

Well I've started and have a definite plan... So far the head and neck is satin stitch with gold DMC.  Obviously the wing is beads and sequins and the back is couched cording.  The mini sequins in the wing were a gift from Susie Wolfe and they are the perfect color..

I am using my rustic gold cording and it is working just as I had hoped.. It is a little bulky but I think it will be fine when finished...  As usual I transferred my design to the BACK of the block and basted around it.  I usually use a fairly neutral color but I wanted it to show up in photos so I used a dark wine thread for the basting.

There are some specific goldwork techniques I want to try on this particular block...  The first is called "laid" work and a design is worked over stitching or cording.  I want to do it over the cording on the back of the peacock...

The next thing I want to try is "felt padding" which will give a raised look to the tail feathers.  Some of the goldwork I've seen in books cover the padding with a kid leather but I will be trying several things from my stash of cheap stuff.

Cathy L. had a pertinent comment on the last post:

"Aha...good technique if you are good with paper and pencil...what about if you can't draw at all...not even a good stick figure?"

My reply to her was not to use the paper and pencil step.  Just play with paper cutouts until you find something you like that fits you space...clean it up a bit and use it...  No drawing necessary.  Often that is the last step for me also...