Call for Entry – The Enticing World of Plants
The Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts has announced a call for entry for an online auction to support the center. This is the center where I take classes and I highly recommend Gail’s classes. It’s located in La Conner, WA, USA. The fun thing about this auction is that it is online so anyone can participate. You can read more information about the call for entry and the auction here.
I decided that I would do a combination of paper and stitch for my entries. The entries can be paper, or fabric, or felt or stitching but need to be 5″ x 7″. The theme is “The Enticing World of Plants”.
I already had a large piece of watercolor paper that was painted with a very light value of blue green and blue violet. I thought this would be great for my backgrounds. I had been thinking about trying some leaf printing and thought that would work with the theme.
So I went outside and found some leaves first. This works best with thinner leaves that will stick down to wet paper. Heavy, waxy leaves do not work as well. I got my watercolor paper wet and laid the leaves out. Then I mixed up some stronger paint in the blue green and blue violets and dropped the paint around the leaves. This can be done with watercolor paint (needs to be watery) but I used high flow acrylics for mine. Then the hard part, letting it dry. Once dry, I removed the leaves and cut the paper up into 5″x 7″ sections. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo before I cut it up.
The next step was to find some plant related designs. I have a stash of designs on tracing paper that I have used in Gail’s classes for years. I don’t throw them away since I can always use them for a project such as this. I transferred the pomegranate design on to the paper with pencil and punched holes about 1/8″ apart for my stitching. I don’t measure the distance between holes but just punch them with an awl or a needle by eye.
Next up is the stitching. I used hand dyed perle cotton and a tapestry needle to work through the paper. The outlines are done with back stitch and the insides are filled with needle lace. I usually use single Brussels stitch for this as it goes quickly and is easy to fill the small shapes. This design is a water lily stencil that I cut ages ago.
This one I followed the shape of the leaf prints for the maple leaf design.
This is a design of a glacier lily that I created in Level 3 Art & Design. If you’re interested in submitting a piece, please read all about it here.
There is also a free open house coming up with stitch demonstrations and plant related artwork by Gail’s students. If you’re in the La Conner, WA area, I hope you can stop by.
23 thoughts on “Call for Entry – The Enticing World of Plants”
What an exciting challenge! Thanks for posting!
You’re welcome Penny, I’m looking forward to seeing the entries.
That’s an interesting challenge Ruth, and I like your pieces. Does this sort of printing work on fabric too? I suppose it will depend on the fabric. Oh dear, I can see another rabbit hole opening up.
On first seeing the first image – the water lily – I thought that your background had Honesty seed head prints on it. The one that might be coming out of the lily looks just the right shape. Looking back at the image of the laid out leaves, it looks as if this section of the paper is just under half way up on the left. Can you remember what plant donated the leaves?
Ann
Thanks Ann, yes, this type of printing does work on fabric. I would suggest using a lightweight to medium weight cotton fabric to start. You could use watered down acrylic paint or fabric paint. I got all the leaves out of the woods and I’m not sure what leaves those rounder ones are, some sort of “wild” plant.
Love your stitching Ruth! What a great way to raise funds – can’t wait to see the entries 🙂
Thanks Ladies! I’m looking forward to seeing all the entries too.
These are great Ruth. I’ll need to try your method as it has given you great results, but as you say, leaving it to dry must be the hardest part.
Your choice of Brussels stitch was inspired, although I had to check on that name – otherwise known as open blanket stitch.
My favourite is the glacier Lilly which you have placed so delicately on the leaf prints.
Trying to visually piece together the 3 you have shown us, it looks like you might have been able to cut out 6 in total – so have you stitched more? If you have – I bet you are glad to have used paper, otherwise you would have had a lot of fiddly finishing to do to meet the submission requirements!
I have various sheets of home created chromatography paper that have been waiting for just ‘something’….maybe this is it.
Good luck with the online auction, I hope it raises the funds needed.
Thanks Antje! I do have six in total so there are three left to share. They are all finished now so I will share the other three soon. I like doing the needle lace on paper as it makes it simpler to do for me. The Chromatography paper would probably look great with some stitching. Depending on the thickness of the paper, it might help to fuse another piece of paper to the back to give it more stability.
Looking forward to seeing your next 3.
Yes Ruth we are agreed with the stabilisation – except I’ll probably do it with fabric/Vliesline to prevent me ending up with a ‘motif’ rather than decorated paper 🤪
I love these Ruth, so lovely seeing them all together. The background really enhances your stitching so well. i hope the auction raises lots of money.
Thanks Marie, there are six all together. I need to remember to post the other three at some point.
The pieces are great Ruth. Stitching on paper is something on my that looks cool to try list. The first picture of the paper looks so mush lighter than the rest of the pictures. Is that just the picture or did you add more colour before adding the leaves and more paint?
Thanks Ann, you should definitely try stitching on paper. The paper to start with had very light paint. Darker paint was added after the leaves were applied to the wet paper. The change was dramatic!
Your response to Antje regarding the lace stitches, reminded me that I once made a needle lace collar using water soluble film instead of a lace pillow, actually stitching into the film in some places. It was a bit easier than using the traditional method (though you have to be careful not to sneeze on the work!) and when released from the film the collar worked. I’m now wondering if this might be a way of adding lace to felt without it disappearing beneath the surface. Oh no! Another Rabbit hole!
Ann
Good idea!
These prints look great Ruth! I’ve had similar results using procion dye with leaves laid on to silk fabric but I’ve not tried it with paper and acrylics so that’s gone on my “to do” list! Also liking the Brussels Stitch which is one I hadn’t come across before.
Thanks Karen, it works on either fabric or paper. Now need to try on paper and then felting the paper in. Brussels stitch is a glorified blanket stitch.
These are so beautiful Ruth, and the stitching is divine. I am afraid, having read the various comments that I am on the edge of another rabbit hole.
Best of luck with the fund raiser.
Helene
Thanks Helene! Stitching on paper is really fun, you should try it!
So ….. you have twisted my arm sufficiently (it didn’t take much lol). I am giving this a try with my inktense on water colour paper. Just a quick question. I am using small maple leaves from the little trees on my patio. How do I get them to ‘stick’ down on the paper, or do I need to use even softer leaves.
It’s a horrible rainy day here and I have been itching to do something creative.
Thanks Ruth Hx
Get the paper really wet so the leaves stick down. If they aren’t sticking down, then you need something softer.
aw brilliant Ruth. Thank you and thanks for coming back so quickly too.