Going Green

At one time in my life I didn't care for the color green.  Something to do with frosting ten gazillion cookies in green!  But I got over it.

Good thing, too.  Because I've spent a lot of time working on green lately!  I signed up for Pat Winter's swap called Pieces of Friendship.  I decided right away I would do something with fairies in the garden.  This was one of the projects that I did in my head several times, twisting this way and that, and revising the idea as time went on.  Once I started actually working, it was just one step following another - until fini!

I started with a piece of fabric that I stenciled and textured with Shiva paint sticks.  My first experience with these sticks and there are tons of fun things that can be done with them. 

I free-motion stitched small leaf shapes onto several different shades of green fabric.  You can see the stitching on the lighter fabric here, and you'll just have to trust me that the strip in the center has stitching, too!

After fusing the stenciled fabric to stiff interfacing and cutting it into puzzle shapes, I glued a small purchased face to each piece.   Then I pulled out all the green beads in my stash!  I beaded a bezel around each face and then stitched the individual cut-out leaves using different beads to attach and embellish.

Finally, I attached a backing and zigzagged around the edges - very carefully so none of the leaves or beads are caught in the stitching.  That part had me most worried - and took forever, but they all look pretty good.  Well, I think so!

Here are the complete set (I don't know why the color is off).  Pat asked for at least four, and I made nine.  Talk about an over-achiever!  For each one I send, I should get one in exchange.  I will then assemble the puzzle and have a wall hanging made by a very talented group of stitchers.  (Be sure you scroll through the posts on Pieces of Friendship.  They are amazing!)  And my little fairies will go to live in homes all over the world.  Isn't that cool?  And I had great fun doing the project.  I just love beads!