In my mind's eye

As I've designed this series of ornaments based on The Nutcracker ballet, the little figures painted on canvas and my choice of threads with which to stitch them have been influenced greatly by my own memories of both watching and participating in the ballet. Take the Sugar Plum Fairy, for instance: I've always "seen" her in my mind's eye as a lithe confection of pinks and lavenders.

So for the background of this canvas, I chose DMC floss #3689--a rosy pink--stitched in basketweave. To break up the solid pink as well as providing some movement and twinkle to this area, I added diagonal lines of Kreinik #12 tapestry braid #002V. I had originally thought to stitch the metallic thread to form little diamond shapes, but quickly changed my mind as such a busy pattern would have distracted from the petite central figure.

Her flesh tones were added with DMC floss #948--just pale enough to keep her arms and legs from disappearing against the pink background.

I'll continue working on the background, leaving the fun part--stitching her costume--for later!