Mabel's Tree of Life SAL - mounted and ready for framing

[Mabel Figworthy]

Part 9, the Trees have something to stand on and some water to refresh themselves with. One more part to go!
(full trees and close-ups of grass & water)

[Angel]

These are absolutely gorgeous! I love them!

[Mabel Figworthy]

They're done

*sigh of relief*

Here are the two complete trees, and close-ups of the little fluttery creatures that have been added to it.

[wendywombat]

Perfect and truly wonderful Finish!
Both Trees are fantastic

Very Very Well Done!!

[Podolyanka]

Now I cant decide which I like better- the tree or the insects arounf it. It's always the case with Mabel's projects: once it looks perfect, she adds something even better. May I ask how you managed to make the lettering look like it was written, not stitched? My letters never turn out so well rounded if this term is correct. I mean there are angles whatever I do.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Thank you for the compliments Lyudmila

I chose a handwritten look for the letters because I felt it would look more natural in this design than very straight block letters, although they would probably be easier to stitch - mind you, you'd still have to deal with Os and Ds and other curved capitals!

As for the stitching, yes you can get those sticky-out bits when going round a curve - in split stitch (and Quaker stitch, which is a combination of split and stem stitch) I solve that by bringing the needle up at the end of the previous stitch, and then splitting the next stitch from there by angling the needle. Then when you pull through, you pull the new stitch towards the old one so it follows the curve better.
I explain this in some detail in the SAL blog but that's behind a password - let me just get a couple of the pictures, that may show it more clearly:

[Podolyanka]

Thank you very much, Mabel. I thought those letters were just like my backstitch, but they are not. That's what I call delicate stitching!

[rcperryls]

Perfect and truly wonderful Finish!
Both Trees are fantastic

Very Very Well Done!!

Can't say it any better!!!

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

Finally getting on with mounting the Trees

[rcperryls]

Carole

[Serinde]

Lovely! I see you are putting your newly won skills to use, judging from the number of drawing pins! Might as well do a thing right, eh?

[Mabel Figworthy]

And here is number two, with the back which will soon be hidden in a frame

[Mabel Figworthy]

Lovely! I see you are putting your newly won skills to use, judging from the number of drawing pins! Might as well do a thing right, eh?

I've always used plenty of pins for lacing but I did use my newly-learnt skill of mitring and ladder-stitching the corners!

[Serinde]

It's only when I see this sort of "proper" framing, that I realise you really, really need all those extra inches of fabric.

[wendywombat]

Superb in every way.
Both trees are wonderful and worth all the trouble of stretching, pinning and lacing.

[Squirrel]

WOOOOW and WOOOW That is totally amazing Mable. I love it. I am impressed with your lovely even lacing at the back too - what is the secret for getting it so evenly placed?

[Mabel Figworthy]

what is the secret for getting it so evenly placed?

Just eyeballing it, I'm afraid - no secret

[Podolyanka]

Strange as it might seem, we were taught to do this at school, but never were taught to cross stitch or embroider(the teachers were changing like gloves, so perhaps each next thought the previous had taught us. But then we all learnt to cross stitch from mothers and grannies). Lacing actually is a high pilotage, yet it was taught for a couple of lessons of crafts in the 7th form(13- 14 yo).

[DahliaDoll]

Fabulous work. So artistic.

[fccs]

Your trees are stunning!!!