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I took the photo of a valley filled with bare winter trees on a recent walk. I've always loved the sight of naked trees reaching their branches up to the sky, but it's a rare sight here in NZ because so many of our native trees stay green all year long. Those bare branches inspired some embroidery with white silk thread that has the impression of a print, but when you look closely, each tree is slightly different.

While I was working on those stitches, I remembered a similar project in my copy of Lena Corwin's beautiful book,  Printing By Hand. She shows how to make a simple stencil on a wall and I've often thought that branch print would look great in our kitchen. Another project to add to the list.

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16 responses to “winter branches”

  1. heather Avatar

    Oh, what a lovely scene! I long for frost 🙂 Im glad there’s cool weather somewhere (perhaps remind me of this when you’re having summer and I’m having winter!) I have that book, my husband bought it for me a few years ago, but I’ve yet to get brave enough to print anything. I need to pull that out and look through it again!~

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  2. Molly Avatar

    I am of the same mind, struck by the beauty of those architectural triumphs. Even if it seems such an impossibility, on this 98 degree day, half the world over!
    Enjoy.

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  3. sarahblank Avatar

    these are so terrific! I love how you translated the trees into embroidery. So delicate and inspiring.

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  4. bianca Avatar

    Oh wow, I love how white the trees are. Your embroidery captures it perfectly.

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  5. Kylie Avatar

    i love the bare trees, and the embroidery is so delicate.
    i have been on the lookout for bare trees here too, only a handful have been found though!

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  6. Rebecca Avatar

    The photo of the bare trees is so lovely. I always love your post.

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  7. Jannette Avatar
    Jannette

    Yes, theyre beautiful arent they, bare branches, picked out in frost or against a wintery blue sky. Love them. Youve caught them beautifully.
    (Sorry, apostrophe not working on laptop.. And neither is the closing bracket!

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  8. Denise | Chez Danisse Avatar

    I did notice (and love) each embroidered branch being slightly different.

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  9. Regina Avatar

    I’ve been going through Lena Corwin’s book again myself. I’ve always loved the wallpaper look on that project. another lovely embroidery – I wonder if that will become a small bag?

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  10. Marian Avatar
    Marian

    I love the embroidery! Very wintery! I’ll have to keep an extra eye on your shop for whatever that becomes 🙂

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  11. Nicole Avatar

    This is perhaps my favourite embroidery of yours. But then again, perhaps not surprising given my love of winter…

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  12. Charis Avatar

    Inspiring x

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  13. Jacilynmascitelli@hotmail.com Avatar

    Such a beautiful motif perfectly captured by your embroidery!

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  14. Brittany Avatar

    So lovely and simple. I love the white against that shade of brown.

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  15. rachel @ tea with lucy Avatar

    gorgeous images. so delicate.

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  16. Alisa Avatar

    I always loved that about living in England, they look like brooms standing on their handles. Such a gorgeous design Melissa, bet it’s even more delicious up close.

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