You may have thought I got lost on the Tar River Trail by Gail Stafford since it’s been a month since I posted on this.
It took a lot of sessions because the trees have about a dozen different colors spread throughout done in French Knots except for the leaves on the right side. Gail’s two maps were fantastic by indicating where to focus the different threads. I used all of several skeins. The finishing touches added even more to the depth in the scene.
I thought I was done until I set it across the room and realized that Gail’s stitched piece definitely had less sky showing than mine.

Although it looked good to me at this point, I added more threads concentrating them in the center.

Then, more along the top.

That led me to add more on the left until it was almost as full as Gail’s. This is now one of my husband’s favorite pieces. Mine, too. We do love the fall season. I also love that it’s done! I started it 12 years ago at Seminar. It was my second seminar, and it was tough for me then. Now, I have more experience, and with Gail’s Landscape class earlier this summer, I had no problems except deciding when to stop!

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OMGosh I love this so much. I love landscapes in needlepoint. Great variety of color, texture. Elegant and peaceful. No wonder it’s your husband’s favorite.
Comment by nbuennemeyer August 24, 2024 @ 8:53 pmThanks!
Comment by melitastitches4fun August 24, 2024 @ 9:18 pmGreat job on Tar River Trail, Melita. It was the first time I taught at seminar and the way I did the maps to help people with the colors in all the trees was a different strategy. Glad you finished it and I am so pleased with the results.
Gail Stafford
Comment by Gail Stafford August 25, 2024 @ 3:53 amI had no idea it was your first class. Never would have known. Yeah, those maps are great! We do love it!
Comment by melitastitches4fun August 25, 2024 @ 9:37 amPerfection! Love how the overhead branches give a tunnel effect to the pathway.
Comment by brendasneedlepointstudioblog August 25, 2024 @ 7:09 amVery true. I’m glad Gail hand drew those for us!
Comment by melitastitches4fun August 25, 2024 @ 9:11 amIt’s positively gorgeous!!
Comment by Nancy Lloyd Lusk August 25, 2024 @ 2:12 pmThanks!
Comment by melitastitches4fun August 25, 2024 @ 2:15 pm