Sky and water

I've finished needle-blending the sky around the Bass Harbor Head lighthouse. If you recall, I was working seven canvas rows deep in basketweave, randomly staggering the stitches at the bottom, using four plies of DMC floss. Here's the final formula, beginning at the top of the canvas:

Row 1 - DMC floss #3755- four plies
Row 2 - DMC floss #3755 - three plies; DMC floss #3325 - one ply
Row 3 - DMC floss #3755 - two plies; DMC floss #3325 - two plies
Row 4 - DMC floss #3755 - one ply; DMC floss #3325 - three plies
Row 5 - DMC floss #3325 - four plies
Row 6 - DMC floss #3325 - three plies; DMC floss #3841 - one ply
Row 7 - DMC floss #3325 - two plies; DMC floss #3841 - two plies
Row 8 - DMC floss #3325 - one ply; DMC floss #3841 - three plies
Row 9 - DMC floss #3841 - four plies

While I still had all my blue floss-away bags at hand, I stitched the water area as well. I began at the horizon with three plies of DMC floss #334 using a horizontal interlocking gobelin stitch--a great stitch to use in a very small canvas area to give a slight indication of movement. After three rows, I switched to DMC floss #312 to add a little depth to the water. I'd originally worked this area in a satin stitch using only one shade of blue--I think this new treatment is more effective.