ED164 Mandala flowerCompleted by Pamela Horton The whispering Platypus

I have made the main card for this stitching design using the same pattern as I have uploaded onto the free tutorial site for the large card, design ED168 Mandala,cup743645_1549, except this card is smaller and measures 18.5cm square when finished and I have adjusted the base card accordingly.

I have used 2 different shades of bright pink embroidery floss to complete the stitching The very outer petals of the flowers are in the darker shade.

I have used very bright yellow floss for the flower centre and bright orange floss for the circle.

For the beads I have used 30 silver 8mm metallic rice beads, 30 green glass seed beads, 12 green 7mm luminescent rice beads, 13 round 5mm pearls, and 13 gold glitter finished sequins.

I also have made 6 crochet flowers using variegated crochet pink cotton, which have been gathered from underneath, then a gold sequin attached and finished with a three thread dark pink French knot in the centre.

I have written a tutorial for this flower in the free tutorial section for your use. The alternative is to use a commercial artificial flower or a tiny paper rose. The stitching is quick and easy and the beading guide is easy to follow.

I have made the backing for the stitching 15.5 x 16.5cm and secured the stitching and beading threads at the back with a 14.5 x 15.5cm light-weight card attached with red power tape and then attached this to the 17.5 x 16.5 cm pink backing sheet.

I then used the decorative leaf patterned silver and gold peel off strips to all sides before making the larger card with the lace and ribbon attached to left hand side and then all put together with red power tape.

I will use this card as a Thinking of you greeting card and write my own special greeting inside. It really looks so feminine and delicate and would also be very suitable for valentines’ day. Pamela Horton. The whispering Platypus