So, since we spoke last, I've been busy!

I remembered from being in this spot that there were some little purple flowers - not exactly under the tree (artistic license!); but nearby.  I assumed they were violets, so made some violet-shaped flowers; but I was thinking about when I went to my studio last night after work, and remembered that I was at this spot in late summer.  August or perhaps early September. 

And violets are spring flowers. 

Hmmm.... some research was in order...

It's funny you know...

As I've been stitching away on these leaves, I've been thinking about all kinds of things: my childhood in Northern Ontario; the sun dappled summer leaves that brought me so much pleasure; about how, in  adulthood, that I *still* stroke leaves whenever I get the chance, and that both the stroking of the leaves and the hugging of trees (yes, I hug trees... what? :D ) brings peace and sweetness back to my life; and I thought that it was no wonder that trees have figured so largely in my development as an artist.  

(I wonder, do Hostas bring the same pleasure to Elaine Quehl? Is that why she's been making hostas for lo these many years?)

But. 

Back to these hand-stitched leaves... they've also made me think about my development as an artist... 'cuz whoa - if you've been with me for more than a year (and it's hard to tell - my followers list waxes and wanes and I never know whether it's people who used to be with me coming back, or if it's just new people), but, I digress - if you've been with me for more than a year - you know that even as recently as a year ago, I was all... "I HATE handwork".

And now, well... I kind of like it. *shhh!*

Still working on it - you can see from this little mosaic that I added a fourth and fifth layer of leaves (and who knows, I may add another before it's all done)  and then...