Hi Diane,
It appears that since the suggestion of fabric for this pattern is 14 count antique white Aida, 25 x 36, that you would stitch the whole background. There is nothing prohibiting you from getting a piece of colored fabric for the background and just doing the tree, birds, fairy, branches and using your colored fabric as the background.
I'm not an employee of ECS but one the stitchers on the messageboard "chat" that saw your question.
Hope this helps! :)

Thanks . I like that idea.

I'm a big fan of Picture This Plus hand dyed fabrics...I'm a fairly new convert, but they have a wonderful assortment of aidas, linens and evenweaves...various counts, lovely colors. Certainly has inspired me to experiment...:)

Wow VCESS! Their fabrics look amazing. I'm going to allow myself to order 2 pieces but I'm going to be hard pressed as to which ones I choose. Oh my, what is a girl to do?

I KNOW!!!! :) Staggering, huh? Wait till you see them/feel them in person! Hope you enjoy them as much as I am! :)

What a cute pattern!

Where is PTP fabric sold? I don't think that I have seen it. I'm always up for trying new things. Our shop is open tomorrow, maybe I'll check with them.

VCESS, do you use it for any project or only pieces that require the background to be stitched?

Definitely check the shop...went by there a couple of weeks ago, but it was closed.

I only have 2 pieces..."Haunted" and a recent purchase of "Phantom"...both for effect for night scenes. Will probably "shorten up" the planned stitching on the newest one...love the "pop" of dark fabric, but struggling to see gets very old very quick. I have a brand new lighted magnifier because of it! :) Will see how that works out... :)

Don't think that I could handle anything dark.
The shop is open on Thur, Fri 10 - 6 and on Sat 10 - 4. I called last week. Glad you told me. I'll call first, it's a long drive from my house.