Sunflower III Grand Finale

After  several months of working on this, my latest textile wall hanging, is ready for show!
I started with just the background (torn strips of fabric sewn together, stamped and painted, sunflower poems transferred on; then some free motion machine sewing and old fashioned stitch in the ditch quilting; followed by lots and lots and lots of stitching by hand with embroidery floss and yarn.
Click on the photos to enlarge and see greater detail if you like.

Leaves were cut from hand dyed fabric (from Chris's Dyed Candy Etsy Shop) and hand embroidered.

 Three stalks were cut out and stuffed from three different fabrics: flannel, lime cotton and batik cotton all matching stripes in the background. These were bound in natural hemp and then hand stitched and beaded.

Three flower heads were cut and stuffed and beaded sewn down to the previously added flower petals which were also hand stitched to the background. With the exception of the leaves all fabrics were from my stash found in thrift stores and garage sales. I pride myself in using mostly up cycled materials. This includes the bead and floss as well.

 I also transferred my own photographs of sunflowers on silk printable fabrics and they are sewn by hand on top of the background fabrics.

 Lots of french knots, straight stitches, cross stitches, and others were added for more texture to the background; Felt circles topped with buttons were also added for some splashed of orange and yellow pizazz!

 The bottom is cut unevenly so the  whole piece hangs in a vase shape with a fence like bottom.

 You have to look closely but there are also a few gold hummers and dragon flies hiding on leaves and over sunflower photos.

I had a lot of fun taking my time with this art quilt.

It might hang around here until next years Sunflower Art Show in Davis;

we'll see. My previous two sunflower wall hangings both sold faster than I could

hang them anywhere...so maybe this one can live with me for a while

anyway.