One of my favorite things about embroidering on paper is when things go just slightly wrong and have to be fixed- not torn to pieces wrong, just slightly off. Maybe there’s a whole in not quite the right spot, maybe things look a little wonky.
Take the piece I am currently working on, for example. The crosses were just a little bit too long. I wanted them larger, and it just so happened this was the size of the graph paper I have on hand. But, I only have a few pieces of blank paper from this particular book to work with, so I didn’t want to just chuck the whole thing out. As hard as it is to do when I have a very clear idea in my head (I just want to Get. It. Out.), I walked away from the work for a whole evening. The solution came while I was sleeping, and it was simple and very obvious: just make the crosses into double crosses. Done.
And it looks a thousand times better.
I never know exactly how things are going to turn out, but I am pleasantly surprised more often than not. The second piece to go along with the first was finished much faster (now that there was a plan).
Here’s the whole thing, with photos from my proper DSLR.
I took a little bit of inspiration from the photo of my great-grandparents that I have sitting on my desk. Diamond shape at the top, chevron at the bottom.
Also, this piece needs a title. Ideas anyone?
What about Anna and Adam, as the title? Love the distillation of the little graphic motif from this image, and the vintage tones of green. Love the presentation of the book, hanging too.x
Of course! That’s a perfect title. That I got to have the cover and an end-paper to attach to was pretty fortunate, this book was in rough shape.
Absolutely beautiful. The patina on the paper is fantastic and mixed with the green palate gives the whole piece the feeling of looking back in time. Perfect that you took inspiration from your great grandparents. What greater tribute could you give?
Thanks so much!
So so lovely.
Thanks Julie!