Inspiration Grows

It’s the name of the newest fabric cuff bracelet I’ve listed in my etsy shop, but it’s also the way I work on most of my art.

When I picked up this scrap of lace from a basket I got at an antique store, I really didn’t know what to do with it.  I started by stitching it to the green linen that I had prepared and began making the rambling stitches around the edges and side.  The lace looked so perfect.  I couldn’t possibly get my stitching to be as regular and neat, so I didn’t try hard to.  When I got to the other side, I didn’t know what to do… so I looked and looked at the piece until I noticed the undulating vine.  Wala!  

Sometimes if I look at something long enough, a design will grow out of the pattern.  Other times, I need to go exercise, take a walk or distance myself from a project for a while to let an idea develop.

It was a little tricky to get the thin vine stitched on (I’m still working on my embroidery skills), and the little tiny leaves to mimic the empty spaces from the lace, but I am so pleased with the end result. 

It’s a super-soft linen cuff that I hope someone will enjoy as much as I did making it. 

How does inspiration for projects come to you?  Do you plan things out ahead of time, or just sit down and let things flow?

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