Just kidding. It’s just a book.
From start:
(flip the page)
(flip the page)
(flip the page)
To finish:
The only close up – machine embroidery of twiggy leafy branches on front and back cover.
A collaborative effort: I’m going to stop short of thanking the fans in the balcony – but I wouldn’t have finished this without everyone’s kind comments and support, and fabric, ribbon and trim inclusions from Laney, Jane, Karen, Monika, Mary, and Annica. And just for the record most of the motifs I copied from 4000 Flower and Plant Motifs: A source book by Graham Leslie McCallum, and Just Stitch by Lesley Turpin Delport.
I sort of feel like I’ve just given birth….relief, pride, a slight ‘is that it?’ feeling, except this time I’m not perched on a doughnut cushion with a heavily embroidered perineum.
I’ll show you my exciting mail, a ‘how to make a book: jackass style’ tutorial type thing, and some thoughts about the book, things I learned, and things I may never learn, no matter how many times I make the same mistake, and other stuff another day…..
Paula, I think your book is great! The only problem is that I can’t decide which page I like best…. Nice job!
You asked about Noah and the singleton cat. Jane suggested s/he might be under Noah’s robes, but I’m thinking Mrs. Noah’s got the other half of that pair. And both Mrs. N and the said feline have only 6 more months to show up. :>)
Comment by Judy Shaw — August 20, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
Congratulations, it looks great, pride is justified! Would love to see it close up, but will have to be happy with the photos. Now……..what next? Cheers, Sue McB
Comment by Sue — August 20, 2008 @ 3:20 pm
Your book is absolutely wonderful! I love all the pages, but I must admit the pear tree is a favourite.
Comment by Annica — August 20, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
WOW !!
Comment by Guzzisue — August 20, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
Love the book, waiting for the tutorial.
Comment by Embellisher — August 20, 2008 @ 4:06 pm
Well all I can say Paula is grab your right hand and push it over your right shoulder and give yourself a great big pat on the back for a job well done.
You should be very proud of what you have achieved.
Comment by Doreen G — August 20, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
Your book looks great Paula. Good on you for seeing a project through to “fruition”….(bad, I know, lol)
My only prob is the pics aren’t clickable for closeups!!!
Comment by Jo in NZ — August 20, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
You have every right to be proud, it’s a lovely piece of work. The cover really compliments all the pages
Comment by Miss 376 — August 20, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
Passion fruit, pomegranate, pear and all the ones that don’t begin with p-all are great.I think the pear is my favourite too. It’s a good feeling to have completed something, but I know that “what next” thing too.Looking forward to seeing what it will be.
Comment by threadspider — August 20, 2008 @ 4:32 pm
Hi Paula
I followed your progress and the result is really beautifull. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Paule — August 20, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
After the others, I repeat how this book is w<onderful. A treasure to keep!Or to …read!
anne
http://quilt007.free.fr
Comment by anne — August 20, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
I real work of art if it were mine I’d be so proud of my new baby. Well done you.
Comment by Annette — August 20, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
Tremendous work! You should be so proud! It is gorgeous. I can’t wait to see the tutorial!
Comment by MargB — August 20, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
Paula, all I can say is WOW!!! Actualy, of course I also want to say, your book is really beautiful, the colours and the detail are stunning and I just love the way you have arranged the pages.
Pats on the back from me as well.( Oh yes, and I’m so glad you didn’t have to sit on a doughnut cushion to achieve it.)
Comment by annette emms — August 20, 2008 @ 8:24 pm
Shucks – was going to put my name down for a mug and a t-shirt! The book is exquisite and you are a very talented woman. Can I have a copy, please?(!)
Comment by Sue Krekorian — August 20, 2008 @ 9:00 pm
Congratulations on the safe delivery of the P’s and siblings. My phavourite page is the Phigg…
Comment by Totty — August 20, 2008 @ 9:52 pm
well, this is quite an orchard you’ve created here. liking it.
Comment by jeanne, herself — August 20, 2008 @ 10:17 pm
This came out so good Paula! Its fun to see all the fabric combos together that you used for the pages and how you made it to be able to add more later, great construction, I love it! To hear you sounding pleased upon its completion is the GREATEST thing of all.
PS. Please tell us your not mentioning embroidered perineums to prepare us for your next fabric book ? LOL
Comment by Jane — August 20, 2008 @ 10:21 pm
I think the book is awesome! It’s a lovely piece of art.
Comment by Vicki W — August 20, 2008 @ 10:49 pm
I say you deserve the movie, books, mugs for this one! It is absolutely stunning and such a lot of work went into it. Beautiful!! You should be proud.
However, from now on please post a warning before you undertake do discuss doughnut cushions and their uses…darned near choked on my coffee!!
Comment by Mary Anne — August 21, 2008 @ 12:29 am
Absolutely wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing this journey with everyone. Marjorie
Comment by Marjorie — August 21, 2008 @ 2:22 am
Beautiful. Looking forward to the tutorial.
Comment by jenclair — August 21, 2008 @ 3:55 am
The book looks so incredibly beautiful! I just love all the little fruits. Now you need to write a book an illustrate it with your embroidery!
Comment by Margaret — August 21, 2008 @ 6:56 am
Paula, your book is wonderful!
Comment by Mermaid — August 21, 2008 @ 7:17 am
Oh Paula – what an unbelievable compilation of beauty, creativity and talent. This is a treasure — and an heirloom. Bravo!
Comment by cathie — August 21, 2008 @ 7:27 am
Hi Paula,
You really have given birth and a real labour of love it is, wonderful!!! Tricia
Comment by Tricia — August 21, 2008 @ 7:28 am
An amazing achievement Paula. You should be very proud, I hope you are!
Comment by Karen — August 21, 2008 @ 8:33 am
Great job, Paula. I’ve watched the progress on this book with appreciation and anticipation. The final product was really worth it!
Comment by Liz — August 21, 2008 @ 9:10 am
Beautiful book. Your embroidery of each fruit is so lovely. I love the whole book design. Congratulations!
Comment by Micki — August 21, 2008 @ 10:17 am
I have seen many many fabric books, but none more beautiful than this. I love the various techniques you used on each page to transition the eye from one embroidery to the next. That can be a pretty tricky process, but you’ve really done it well. Congratulations on a beautiful finish.
Comment by Cheryl — August 21, 2008 @ 11:31 am
How beautiful your book is, you must be so pleased with it. A really great piece of work.
Juliette
Comment by Juliette — August 21, 2008 @ 9:12 pm
Congratulations on finishing such a wonderful project. I’m not experienced enough about this kind of embroidery to appreciate it the way it deserves, but I think the motifs as you’ve done them are lovely.
Comment by Kay — August 22, 2008 @ 10:29 am
Your book is really special – thanks so much for posting the photos for everyone to share.
Comment by Mandy — August 24, 2008 @ 2:40 am
[...] I made my fruit book I embroidered all the fruit motifs and then I pieced each page and tried to join them into a [...]
Pingback by what if…. I piece before I embroider « The Beauty of Life — November 17, 2008 @ 7:41 am
Hey this book is really neat. I love it. I found you through the serenewhimsy blog somehow. Anyway I really like this book you made and I do understand the feeling like you’ve just given birth aspect of finishing a project. Wow! You did a great job.
Comment by Teresa aka Tess — December 2, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
[...] 12 or 18 inch squares), so I can quilt it summer and winter. I think it may look rather like my fruit book when it is put [...]
Pingback by The Garden Quilt « The Beauty of Life — February 3, 2009 @ 12:09 pm