I started this piece on (or about) July 7 2021 – here’s how it unfolded:
I got to the thread painting part and stopped, partly because I wasn’t sure I liked the poppies – I felt they weren’t strong enough although they were the right size to fill the space.
The piece has sat around, face down, until a couple of days ago when I finally picked it up and got to work on it. I’d already picked possible threads for the job, had them all in a plastic bin (which sat on top of the face-down piece). I threaded my machine with the lightest of the green embroidery thread and got to work filling in leaves. That was relatively straightforward; the leaves wanted a bit of texture but nothing more. The poppies were another matter. I wanted to brighten them so I started with a dark purple thread to stitch the outline pencil marks which took some careful stitching. I stood back and looked at the piece – seemed to me right then was the moment to stop. I figured I’d just muddy the whole thing had I attempted to work in the various pinks and mauves. So I’ve left it alone.
I added a batting panel, and backing, and decided to complete the piece with a narrow dark binding. The piece is 18″ x 24″ – large enough without adding wide borders to it. In truth, I just wanted the piece finished and out of my way. It’s been hanging around for six months – the longest I’ve procrastinated on a project.
The piece is not bad; not my best. It’s now finished.
jmn 
I love that piece! It’s fantastic. The poppies don’t pop but overall it’s got a soft gentle feel to it.
Thanks
I have a feeling that your “not bad” is probably better than most people’s “best”. Thank you for brightening up the universe. Your cheerful, matter of fact posts are something that I look forward too. Lucila (in Ottawa)
Lucila, I don’t know whether you remember “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” but one of the things I loved was the animated graphic showing the taking off of the top of the head and ideas pouring out. That’s kinda what I’m trying to do here – show the decision making that’s usually obscured, so you see how I plan and stand back from the work and figure out where I might go next. Glad you’re finding that interesting.