Thats a lot of French knots...
So the French knots are done! yay!  I had an approximate number that I thought I had done but now when I try and work it backwards based on how much floss I used approximately it doesn't make sense.  So I'll need to dig out my tally and double check the count.  I did end up using the 3865 'white' that I had, I couldn't see the difference.  Maybe what I had down as Blanc was in fact 3865 to start with, the thread was so old its entirely possible thats the case.  But if I can't see it now, once its up on the wall there is even less chance of anyone spotting any difference.

So with all the French knots done.  And the decision on how to embroider the leaves still pending.  I didn't have too much choice but to make a start on the houses and in particular the windows.  Although I did still delay the windows a bit more by starting with the roof of the first house haha.

House One:

Running stitch - Pretty easy decision for the first roof, the original painting had what looks like running stitch.. so easy peasy decision made, turquoise floss picked to tie it in with one of the other houses and first roof done.  

Split stitch - Used for the brick work on the chimney,  I used an light orange floss that tones in with the roof fabric.

Detached chain with French knots  - I used this under the roof eaves I'm not sure if the stitch has a name, well I'm sure it does have a name, I just don't know what it is.  I thought I'd done it before but I can't find a matching chicken haha.  Its simply detached chain secured down with a French knot instead of a small straight stitch.

Raised Stem Band - I used this for the outer window frames.  Because I'm not using any rulers or anything I had of course to eyeball the spacing on the band bit.  I then used a single strand of floss to weave the band.  Each window took over two hours, probably closer to three.  But when I tested it a double strand would've worked up faster, but would've been too thick I think.

Long/Short stitch - Used for the inside of the window frames

Cross Stitch - I couldn't find a fabric that really made me happy for the brickwork at the bottom of the houses.  But I think the few cross stitches I've sprinkled on the brick work of the first house has made me a bit happier with it.  And I've managed to use another stitch!

So technically I could say thats House One done.  I'm still debating some additional stitching within the lighter windows themselves to get that lights on look.  And whether or not I need the dark outline around everything like the original image.  But I'll think about that as I go.

Thats it for now.  Thanks for stopping by!