A FEW MORE LEAVES!

Staying with leaves I thought I would try a much larger leaf that would allow for more robust machine embroidery. I used a heavier weight Lutrudur and slightly thicker acrylic paints. It was very sturdy to stitch into so no need for a hoop. The finished leaf is life size and completely different in texture to the finer Lutradur ones I made earlier.  As the new leaves unfurl in the Spring I think it will be fun to make a selection in a range of beautiful luscious greens.

I just couldn’t throw all the small leftover pieces so I spent a few very enjoyable hours crafting some delicious little beads for future projects.

I had in mind some holly leaves to make Christmas cards but as they are so wonderfully textural and shiny I needed to use a completely different medium, laminated dyed Abaca paper which worked brilliantly and stitched easily.

For me personally the constraints of making cards are just two. The first is having a pleasing, size appropriate design for a very small area and secondly the component parts need to be flat to fit inside the envelope.... but I wanted holly berries!! To resolve the dilemma I made berries which I then squashed reasonably flat but they still fairly looked authentic. Arranging the pieces will take several attempts before I am happy but that’s OK.

Lastly, Christmas is just not Christmas without a tree so this year's stitching friends will be receiving another variation to add to their collection. I have more to make so I will be busy for a while longer!