Ed027 PumpkinCompleted by Pamela Horton The whispering Platypus

I have prepared this stitched and embellished greeting card well in advance for Halloween.

I copied the design supplied onto a 12.5x9cm white matte card and completed the stitching using a copper shade of metallic thread for the pumpkin, a light coloured metallic green for the vine stems, dark green polyester thread for the small leaves and a combination of the polyester thread and the green metallic thread held together for the larger leaves and the stalk of the pumpkin.

I then used my water colour pencils, dry, to shade the images. The larger and smaller beads are all attached using the copper metallic thread doubled as the metal metallic beads often cut the fine metallic thread.

I have used gold 5mm metallic rice beads for the larger flowers and using a tapestry needle, as a tool, threaded the beads, 6 at a time, then used a permanent bright orange brush pen to colour the beads.

I allowed these to dry a few minutes by resting the needle across the top of a small empty craft container.

I have attached a clear orange glass 3mm seed bead into the centre of each flower. The smaller flowers I have stitched using the same orange seed beads.

I noticed an extra dot at the top of the tall vine and added a small round pear bead which I also coloured with the same brush tipped pen.

In total I have 35 beads mina combination of, 18 metallic rice beads, 29 glass seed beads and one round pearl bead.

I attached a backing to secure the stitching using red power tape and defined the edges of the finished topper using the same pen.

I mounted this topper onto the 14x10cm black backing sheet. The next orange backing sheet I attached next and the now finished topper is matted onto the main card. The main card is cut at 24x16cm and scored, the edges defined with a black permanent pen, then folded before the topper is attached using D.S. tape.

I have added the black cat, I have drawn and cut out, the trick or treat sentiment, 2 black bats and the black bow as extra embellishments.

The insert, cup913032_79993, is the same backing, background sheet, a design by Clare Walker, I have used as the background on the main card front.

I know 3 little ones who will be very excited to receive this greeting. Pamela Horton The Whispering Platypus