Thursday, July 1, 2010

My grandmother's garden

I used two pictures taken in my garden as the inspiration for this piece, a picture of a lilac tree and one of simple little daisies growing in the grass. The fabrics are hand dyed and screen printed.
I especially like this lilac tree because it's a grandbaby of a tree which stood in my grandmother's garden when I was a little girl. I remember that this beautiful garden was full of vegetables, fruits, simple flowers and unpretentious shrubs and trees.After quilting, I started embroidering flowers by hand here and there in the quilt, but I finally unpicked them because they just didn't really add anything. After all, I prefer to keep it simple, as it is now.I've posted more detail pictures on my blog...

11 comments:

JB said...

Simply elegant. It might have been nice to embroider a simple flower shape on the pale lavender rectangle.

Deborah Boschert said...

I also love lilacs. The daisy screen is just lovely. The contrast of the positive daisy screen with the outlines lilac screen is really effective. Lovely binding effect too.

Karen said...

Your pieces always leave me feeling so calm and relaxed Françoise, and you seem that way in your personal life too. The daisies are wonderful!

Marianne said...

Jolie combinaison et magnifique screenprinting

Gerrie said...

I love, love the purples that you have used. Reminds me of the song "Deep Purple". I agree with Karen - serenity! The daisies look so real.

Diane Perin said...

Françoise,

The energy of the colors and the peacefulness of the composition are so lovely! I really like the contrast of the black lilac screen and the white flowers, as well. This does convey a wonderful sense of a happy and calm garden. What a nice tribute to your grandmother!

Terry Grant said...

This piece is so fresh. The colors are beautiful and the textures so clear and crisp. The white daisies are the perfect contrast. Simply elegant!

Terri Stegmiller said...

Very lovely and love the story of the lilac tree.

Nikki said...

Lilacs are some of my favorite flowers. They are some of the first to bloom here and I love the sticky sweet smell. And I definetly know how to grow daisies--I think I have more of them than dandelions.

The peaceful elegance of your quilt is beautiful. I would love to come sit in your garden!

Kristin L said...

I like the contrast of the simple, single, daisy bloom with the many tiny lilac flowers. To me this piece is a lovely tribute to flowers. Simple and elegant.

Unknown said...

I want to say 'wabi-sabi'- is that the word I mean - the one that describes beauty in simplicty and pared down nature? I do agree though with the first commenter that the lilac rectangle would take a little extra something. I am going to have to come to belgium for screenprinting lessons with you!