Tuesday 18 May 2010

Family Tree


This little wall hanging is making me very happy.  I love it soooo much.  And not just because I used my most favourite tea towel as the background.  Well you can't get much more perfect than a red gingham towel can you?  Especially one that already has pretty red crochet lace at the bottom.  Actually the top fabric is a tea towel too.  I guess you could say this is another project for my 101 uses for a tea towel book!

I feel there is something missing at the top of the hanging.  I'm not sure if it needs some lace too.  What do you think?  Problem is, it won't match the lace at the bottom.  But I'm not feeling comfortable with it like it is.

I haven't done a great deal of hand applique in my crafting life.  I really do enjoy it and must do it more often.  These wall hangings are a nice way to use it.  They are simple but very effective.  I think each of our girls bedrooms really must have one.

I'll make the next ones different.  I may even get the girls to design their own, but that usually ends up more complicated than I imagined.  They aren't too good at simple.  But I do like to be creative with my work and generally not copy straight out of a book like I have with this one.  I feel like I've cheated somewhat.

This little bird in the tree hanging belongs to Sophie.  I chose not to write our names on the birds as it just didn't seem right.  I'm mummy, not Sarah to her.  And if I wrote Mummy and Daddy then she'd feel silly having it in her room when she got older.

I handstitched everything before I blanket stitched around the edges.  It's much simpler to do this way.  I love all the embroidery on the different coloured fabrics. 

Here is the original work.  It's from the brilliant book by Alicia Paulson, Stitched In Time.  I would love to buy this book as there are so many wonderful projects in it.  I've taken to photographing all the wonderful ideas I see and just flick through my photos for inspiration. 


24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sarah, i love your applique picture and i think it looks perfect just as it is..you don't want it too fussy or it will detract from the central picture :) cheers, Marian

PS i've finished my apron & can't wait to send it just waiting on an email from Cassie before i do..it was ssoo much fun! x

Anonymous said...

Sarah, i love your applique picture and i think it looks perfect just as it is..you don't want it too fussy or it will detract from the central picture :) cheers, Marian

PS i've finished my apron & can't wait to send it just waiting on an email from Cassie before i do..it was ssoo much fun! x

Me and Ma said...

Lovely wall hanging Sarah, I see what you mean about needing something at the top, it would balance it up a little..Great applique though.. I am going to have a go at lino printing and have been sketching birds and trees very similar to these..

magpie chic said...

It's lovely. Maybe some ric-rac at the top, but I think it's lovely as it is too.
I find hand applique such fun. Just like colouring in for grown ups! PS I don't have a piggy in my garden, although I wish I did. I fear they may eat the daffodils!@!!
It was called Piggling Bland's garden because Piggling bland had a similar pottager in the Beatrix Potter story.
Love Jacqui

Sofia Amaral M. said...

Hi Sarah:)
I love your applique!
Have a great week
Sofia

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

Oh my Sarah, that tree is awesome, love the fabrics you used. I definitely going to remember this artwork, will have to make it some day. Love it!!

Hope you are enjoying a lovely and sunny Tuesday! xx

Megan said...

so lovely sarah! i have just put that book on my wishlist, hope the library has it. it looks full of wonderful ideas :)
have you seen alicia's beautfiful studio? i mentioned it in a blog post ages ago after coming across it somewhere
http://aliciapaulson.com/studio.html
my dream studio!

Justine said...

That is soo cute I'll have to checkout that book! Thanks for the tip- Justine xx

Cat said...

Oh me Oh my this is so gorgeous and so lovely I may just have to add it to my 'to do' list!
Well done! Your children are very blessed to have such handiwork
Cat xxx

Sian said...

That's gorgeous! I love hand applique. I'm not sure about something at the top, I think it looks great as it is but if you're not happy then...Maybe wait until you see something, you'll know when you see it!

Catherine said...

What a lovely idea! A real keepsake! Cx

sallgood said...

So sweet! I like the idea of ric rac at the top, or some other trim. I don't think they have to match. I'm sure you'll come up with somthing perfect! (How about a row of small buttons?)

Lululiz said...

You are so clever! I bet Sophie loves it.

Unknown said...

I adore applique, it is always stunning. Your hanging is just gorgeous, and I found myself getting that want , want want feeling coming over me as I looked at it! It makes me want to devour it! Lovely! suzie xxxxxx

Nadine said...

What a gorgeous appliqué!!! I also love doing it, but really don't do enough of it. The gingham tea towel finishes it off perfectly! xxx

Amanda Makes said...

Oh I love it! The red gingham is the perfect background! Thank you for your lovely comments! Amanda xxx

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful Sarah! She'll love it, Joanna

roseroomnz.com said...

what about a few more leaves and buttons on the top left side of the tree... Rachaelxo

barb's creations said...

What about adding a few red and white buttons or yoyo's to the top? :) Barb.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah,

I have just come across to your blog from whip up and i really like it.
(Just wanted to let you know :P)

Lauren

Running Thread said...

Sarah, your applique is giving me some lovely ideas ....
Have just finished my apron tonight for the swap. I was forced to clean up my desk so I could haul out the sewing machine. All good fun!

Claire Gale said...

hey sarah, i thought of you the other day. you really must head into target as they have a bundle of gorgeous red/white tea towls at the moment. i'm a great fan of applique too. those birds are so cute.

Jacoline said...

I just love your wall hanger it's great. have a nice day!

Anonymous said...

This is really nice...I do a lot of applique and I end up with the sorest fingers but I really think it looks better if I do it by hand.