Illustrated with over 40 embroideries, this book is specially designed to encourage beginners to explore the creative possibilities of hand embroidery. It begins with the basic "know-how", and shows how to use silk threads and simple stitches to create original embroidered countryside scenes. The first project is a step-by-step meadow landscape using basic stitches and techniques. This is followed by imaginative ideas developing this theme by improving the design and colour scheme, plus advice on how to add applique and fabric painting techniques to achieve maximum effect. The final and more advanced section shows how to incorporate textured items such as miniature padded flowers and animals and wooden gates, and how to achieve extra tone and perspective....