Gosh this challenge took a while before I had a light bulb moment. Why memories ..... we had a tree which I do not know the name of (not even sure it was indigenous) which was attacked by ants unbeknown to us which came down the other day .It had very long fragile branches which produced the most amazing show of white flowers every year after it had dropped its leaves. It should have been in bloom now.
The light bulb moment hit me when I was making sheets of wet felting for a friend and I thought ...... make a 'white' sheet for yourself and embellish it with stitchery. I did attach the 'tree' first using a very thick loose stranded cord with my embellisher.
Many hours later .... one very tender top of my middle finger I finished it last night. Finished is the operative word. I will need to leave it for a while and see if it grows on me.
To stitch I laid the felt sheet onto a very thin layer or lutradur (to stabilise and give me a decent work surface) and then backed it with a piece of fabric so it is three layers and stitched all the way thru .... however ... it is a bit of a birds next at the back because of the technique used so once I am satisfied I may just add another back to it.
Fun but definitely the hardest challenge for me.
A fitting tribute to the tree of your memories. I appreciated it all the more by going to the enlarged view and seeing the complexity of the hand-stitching. Lovely and dream-like.
ReplyDeleteThere is something fairytale about this tree. What a shame it is no more as it sounds rather special. Amazing handwork! Lots of texture and detail. I suspect it might be one of those pieces where you can carry on adding bits for a long while.
ReplyDeleteHilary
The stitching is beautiful. I agree it is important to look at the enlarged view to appreciate the handwork.
ReplyDeleteSo much to see, love the detail and variety of your stitching.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that once the memories of the sore finger late night fade in relationship to memories of the tree your attitude to this piece will change. Why else would you have put in so much work?
The tree looks as though it belongs in Middle Earth - it seems to have a life of it's own. Your embroidery is lovely and fits it so well
ReplyDeletetextures and layers
ReplyDeletedreamy
and very white
i like it
Really nice! The stitching on the limbs is so transparent and soft. A perfect apple blossom tree.Love the layers of stitching!
ReplyDeleteI very much like this! The tree has an appeal which is dreamlike, then the close up shows all the exquisite details. Wonder what the original tree was?
ReplyDeleteYou gave me a couple of hints about what you were planning to do with your piece and your handwork has hit the mark, it is lovely and offsets the subject beautifully and gives it such lovely texture. Well done Phil.
ReplyDeleteI love your tree: there is so much of interest to look at , and despite your sore finger perhaps in the future it will be a good aide memoire for the lost original
ReplyDelete