I started this little tablequilt inspired by a few large Bur oak leaves I had pressed from last season. Spring arrived as I worked on it and I decided to show the way the leaves grow as they emerge. All of the leaves are from a tree in our yard that my husband started from an acorn five years ago. The acorn was dropped by gigantic and ancient Bur oaks that stands at the edge of a favorite park in our town. Now our little tree has already set acorns and is well over six feet tall.
The leaves are attached to each branch in a beautiful radial whorl pattern. This is very noticeable at the ends of the branches. It's really beautiful. So this little quilt has turned into something to honor this young tree and what is just the very beginning of its' timeline. 
A sensitive edge has been sketched in so that it will follow the shape of a few of the larger leaves. I am going to push the limits of what I have done so far with a shaped edge and see what happens - trying to work a few things out to make something on a much larger scale.
This post is so rich with its keen observation of natural forms, and its naming of sensitive edges and tablequilts. It sent me on a small journey through your "leaves" links and I found much inspiration there. Thank you for sharing your intricately beautiful stitching!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz. I always make my way back around to leaves. They are endlessly inspiring.
Deletelove the fragment quality of this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jude. It's mostly old painted bits. I really like the watercolor-like washes showing their subtle differences at the seams.
DeleteThis is such a thought provoking piece...yesterday I found what I thought was a very tiny holly tree growing in a spot that wasn't right, so I dug it up and discovered it was coming out of a long acorn...something I had brought home from Arizona years ago (before I knew not to transport flora). What a surprise! So I replanted it. Then I discovered your post, and now I will watch the little seedling develop even more carefully. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanna! Thank you, we are amazed at how fast our little Bur oak has grown and so fun to watch. Best of luck with your own little tree. So inspiring to watch things grow.
Deletelove how you have stitched the whorl
ReplyDeleteoh my the attention to detail......yet again I am impressed, not only by your incredible stitching but also your sensibility and ability to 'translate' that which has inspired you in nature into cloth!! marvelous
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