Still playing with pressed flowers and leaves

I have been having more fun dyeing calico (to embroider later) with different flowers - the current crop being pressed onto damp fabric between 2 bits of clingfilm, is some black Hollyhocks, which is coming out a lovely deep purple. The blue Hibiscus came out too pale to really use.

I have started to embroider the Maple Leaf, done with the bashing with a hammer on dry fabric, with a Anchor Bronze Metallic thread, starting with 2 strands chain stitch down to 1 strand and  then back stitch. Looking good but very tiny stitches!!!!