Monday, January 11, 2010

Leaf Study


I've been working to try and finish my bead journal pieces from last year by the end of January. And, as you know, I've been making lots and lots of leaves. Though I love the beaded leaves, I wanted more texture in the piece. And, since it's not easy to find ready made leaves or fabric leaves in a 1/2 inch size...I had to make some...

I wanted to make a stockpile of leaves so, when it comes time to sew, I have lots of different colors and textures from which to choose. I'm getting pretty close. I just need to stitch a few veins on my fabric leaves I've just made and I'll be ready to go.

Here's the piece I'm working on...it's from last November...


And lots of my inspiration is coming from the lush foliage that grows in my father's backyard in Florida.


The greens and the leaves in Florida are amazing to me with so many varieties and colors and sizes that grow and grow and grow because of the more tropical climate.

So, I'll be sitting here and making lush foliage and listening to a good book, I hope.


I'm listening to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo...it's been a bit of a slow start but the woman in the library told me it gets better...

19 comments:

Maryanne said...

Hi Susan,
I loved seeing all your leaves. I love leaves and all foliage actually. Have you seen all the lucite leaf beads, vintage and contemporary, that they have at The Beadin Path? The website is www.beadinpath.com. Check it out if you haven't yet. Their selection of lucite leaves and flowers is great! Have fun beading today. I haven't read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but I know people who have and they loved it.
Maryanne

Gerry Krueger said...

I just finished listening to that book a week or so ago and just got "The girl who played with Fire" which I will start as soon as I finish Shakespeare's Champion by Charlene Harris which is so so... Do you belong to Sounds like a mystery yahoo group?

Love your leaves and I was just pulling glass leaves for my March BJP!!! Gerry.

DovilÄ— said...

you are so talented! looks amazing:)

DovilÄ— said...

you are so talented! looks amazing:)

Dees said...

Beautifull as ever! What a blessing to be able to live within so much green in the midst of november!

Lisa Boni said...

Love all the leaves! Can't wait to see this evolve as it intrigued me so much when you began! And now that you're adding all the greenery (my fave!)I think this is going to be stunning!

Sweetpea said...

ooooh Susan, I am totally loving this whole leafage thang you've got go'in on! Can't wait to see what you're up to with them...

Also enjoyed the sneak peek to how you organize your glass leaf beads - hadn't thought of that method. Mine are in plastic baggies filed with all my other beads according to color. Your method would make it much easier to pull out leaves when I needed them (I wouldn't have to hunt through e-v-e-r-y color box)

Raphaela said...

Leaves are my favourite nature motif and your leaves are just beautiful. I like them very much. Especially the beaded ones. I ordered the instruction you mentioned in one of your previous posts to have it at hand, just in case.
Thank you for the really nice photos you always post. I think, it is a lot of work to arrange things in such a beautiful way. You do a great job.
Raphaela

Anonymous said...

Such wonderful foliage and you are capturing it so well - I love the hand stretching out to nature. I'm listening to Anne of Green Gables at the moment - it's a story I never tire of.

Love what you do x
Shell

Judy S. said...

Nice new header, Susan! What a nice project for the dead of winter; me, I'm cleaning up! Your goal sounds like a lot more fun!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I love the bead stitch around your hand. You have really made a stunning variety of leaves. Your creative talent blows me away.
XX, Carol

Barbara C said...

Your leaves are lovely, and that background fabric is perfect. I look forward to seeing your completed piece. That beaded hand is striking.

Jane said...

Very beautiful, love all the textures and different shades. The new header is great as well, the colours are fabulous as always.

FredaB said...

Susan your new header is beautiful. I loved all the leaves and that is such a great idea to spend a few days and make a bunch you can just pull from. If I was smarter I would have thought of that.

Hugs

FredaB

Ingrid Mida said...

I'm wondering how you manage to do so much eye-straining embroidery and bead work. I might not have any errant hairs yet, but I definitely am having problems threading my needles!

Amanda Sheridan said...

Persevere with the book. You'll be glad that you did. I've just finished reading the third book in this trilogy and they just get better and better.
Love the leaves too by the way!

Vicky aka Stichr said...

I see you have leafft no leaf unturned....not sure where that came from, probably that 90% of my brain that holds the random crap. {i may only USE 10%, but i am not letting that other 90 sit fallow!}

Fantastic use of an egg plate! I will never look at them the same.

Wanda said...

You've got a special leaf dish? How amazing is that! Absolutely wonderful. I am in awe...speechless. Even though not many people would believe that. By the way...I'm the girl with two purple dragon tattoos...it's true. But I got them, thankfully, later in life so they are in discrete places, not out there for everyone to gawk at! ha ha

Padparadscha said...

it's very exciting to see your work !

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