Leaf project.

The group I belong to has been asked to demostrate various textile techniques to a local art group. Only 2 or 3 of us will be needed to take part but we are each asked to contribute a textile version of a chosen leaf shape.
I was looking for an interesting leaf in the garden and came across this hosta leaf after the snails had enjoyed it during the summer. Above is a coloured photocopy - I love all the holes and made my version by layering a piece of fine Lutrador between two pieces of synthetic sheer fabric.

I had traced off the shape onto the Lutrador so that I had lines to follow, then machine stitched through all layers, following the lines. I cut out the leaf as close to the stitching as I could and then burned away the holes with a soldering iron.

I have to decide now whether to leave it as it is or pluck up the courage to paint in the yellow and green areas which appear on the original leaf. I am afraid of spoiling it with paint and quite like it as it is.

I'll take it to our next meeting and see what everyone else thinks!

It is a glorious day here today and such a contrast to yesterday which was grey, wet and dismal all day long. This morning I was watching little clouds of steam rising from our neighbours' conifer hedge where the sun's warmth was catching it. All along the pergola the same thing was happening. I tried several times to get a photo but they came out looking misty and unclear. The garden was still soaking wet and the sunlit raindrops sparkled everywhere like diamonds - so lovely to see, but very hard to photograph well. I should be out there doing more autumn clearing - hope tomorrow will be another dry day with better conditions underfoot.