Summer Breeze, Finished??

I learned a few things with this piece. I don't like it as much with the soft watercolor edges trimmed off - and it's the canvas I used for a background - it gives the finished piece a rough texture that is the opposite of watercolor softness. I didn't see this until I trimmed it, but it's done and I'll make the best of it. I'm also wondering if it needs some "sparkle" - think I'll bead the centers of the flowers for sure and maybe even couch some gold thread along the binding.

Summer Breeze, phase 2

Obviously, I don't work very fast! I finally sat down to fill in the grass detail this morning, using two different colors of variegated green thread, and I think I like it!

Summer Breeze

Today I am beginning a new piece that has been in my "to do" pile for awhile. I read an article in QA about thread sketching an outline and filling in with watercolor pastels (too long ago to give credit where credit is due, sorry!). I also feel a bit like I'm lifting the idea from Fannie Narte, whose work often has this same soft look. This is canvas. I thread sketched the central flower then used black resist on it and on the background flowers. It needs refinement and detail - I'll let it set a bit and see if I want to thread paint details or use watercolor pencils ... or both!