Latest Digital Sampler of LandScape

STARS
OF THE
DAYTIME
Michaelmas daisies take their first name from the
festival of St Michael the Archangel, or Michaelmas,
on 29 September. The second part of the name,
daisy, comes from ‘day’s eye’. This refers to the
fact that they close their petals up at night and only
open fully during the day. These star-shaped flowers,
with their purple, white or pink petals and colourful
centres, provide cheerful colour through autumn into
the early winter.
To gardeners, they are asters, from astrum,
the Latin for star. First reaching Britain from their
native North America in the 17th century, they have
become firm favourites as border plants. Today, there
are dozens of varieties, both single and double, in a
range of heights, from 12in (30cm) to 70in (1.8m).
Picking a selection from the garden and placing
each stem in an old bottle or jar creates a seasonal
display that is both delicate and decorative.
CAUGHT IN THREAD
Katrina Witten takes her inspiration for her embroidery kits from the colours
and textures in the Derbyshire countryside. She has embroidered since she
was a child, encouraged by her late mother, an embroidery artist in her own
right. Every Rowandean kit comes with clearly printed designs, threads,
needles and detailed instructions. This kit, from the Four Seasons collection,
comes with a hand-cut mount and measures 8in by 6in (20cm x 15cm) when
finished. (The frame is not included)
Autumn embroidery kit £15.45, www.rowandean.com
Photography: GAP Photos; Richard Faulks; Loupe
ALL COVERED
A coat hanger is given a personal touch
with a simple gingham cover and
embroidery. To make the cover, the coat
hanger is placed on a folded piece of
fabric and a triangular shape is drawn
round it. This is then cut out. With right
sides together, the sides and top are
stitched, leaving a hole at the top for the
hanger to go through. The fabric round
the hole is hemmed to neaten. A piece of
plain fabric is sewn to the bottom of the
cover and hemmed. A simple cross-stitch
flower, created by using the gingham
squares, finishes the cover.
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