Strumming on the guitar

Slowing down a little on the Toyland Rocking Horse canvas, as I've also been working on a canvas for an upcoming Needlepoint Now column.  But I've finished the guitar and the package behind it.

I'd considered laying metallic thread for the guitar strings and tacking them down, but finally decided against it because of the "snag" factor.  This canvas will ultimately be made into a pillow, and I was afraid those strings would be pulled somewhere down the road.  So, in the end, I worked the entire guitar in basketweave and tent stitches, using DMC floss and Kreinik #12 tapestry braid #002.

As you can see, there are two silver packages on either side of the Jack-in-the-Box.  I wanted them to look different, so worked the one on the left with Kreinik #12 tapestry braid #4004 in a diagonal mosaic stitch.  I'll fill in the other package with a different silver thread.