I have had reason the last few days, to browse through some of my past work and came across this piece; that I really do like. I submitted it for one of the Course Units for my City and Guilds Level 3 in textiles, that I completed at Fowlers Yard, in County Durham, UK.
The piece was based on the idea, that we all may have things we are scared or nervous of in life, and sometimes it is as if we are peeping through key holes, looking but not daring to open the door.
The piece is mounted on gold and dark green card.
I used various layers of Silk Dupion, to create depth. I used my sewing machine to draw the shapes I wanted, such as the key hole idea. I then used sharp scissors to show the technique of cut away applique; to give it more of a 3D feel.
You can also see the technique of transferring text onto fabric here.
In the main, this embroidery was done will a 'free machine foot' on my sewing machine. I use this foot all, the time, as most of my work is more "drawn" or "sketched" in style, rather than straight lines!
Whilst looking back on my summer holiday last year, its easy to see from the photos, how flowers have once again been the inspiration to create stitch pieces. These two textile pieces are done using the 'Drawn Thread' technique. 
This is done by using a "counted" thread fabric, and literally pulling out some threads to create gaps. The remaining threads can be then machine or hand stitched, to create a "bar - like" effect, as seen. This is a hard thing to describe and explain...but if you would like to find out more, I suggest research online etc. I love it as a technique, as once you have "pulled" out the threads you want, you can then turn the piece into anything you like. I have seen many variations....but I chose Spring flowers. Thus the "bar - like" pieces became stems, and the bottom grass. In one piece, the top of the bars became Blue Bell type flowers, and the other Tulip style!
