Joan Brailsford – Time #1
Time and Trees: Springtime
In this series I will be thinking about the passage of time and how trees are affected by it. I love trees and see the seasons and changes in their forms.In this first piece I see the tree in springtime when new leaves are appearing, skies are becoming lighter, new delicate flowers are starting to appear in the undergrowth and there is the promise of more things to come.
The background is a raw edge patchwork of pale greens and blues, and yellow (which is the colour of spring for me). I used manipulated silk sari strips for the tree trunk, with hand stitched thinner branches, twigs and new leaves. I added straight stitch hand quilting for the air around the. tree, in yellow and orange to hint at sunshine beginning to bathe the world in warmth. I used machine quilting to add stalks of dried plants in the undergrowth, with hand stitching to add new stalks and emerging flowers amongst the old ones.
Detail views:
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
Trees are truly inspiraional and showing the passing of time with them is a great idea. Love the spring vibes here and the delicacy of your spring tree. Well done!
Great subject choice, the passing of time in nature is so visible. Your colour/fabric selection is so refreshing and gives hope that spring is around the corner! Love it, well done.
The tree trunk is very impressive as well as your hand stitching and embroidery. Lovely.
This is such a delicate piece ! Good choice to work on the passing of time in nature.
So nice that you can use this series to show your love for the trees.
Love the pastel colored background.
Beautiful stitching, both with the machine and by hand.
Great use of raw edge patchwork, the colour combination is ideal for Spring. Lovely quilting and stitiching.
Beautiful tree. I admire all the fine details from embroidery to hand quilting, so gorgeous. Great colour choice for the spring. Bravo!
Such a beautiful delicate piece. I love the colors and am impressed with your handstitching, not only of the branches, twigs and leaves but also with the air around the tree. Awesome.
What a beautiful start to the series. The intricate hand stitching in this spring piece perfectly captures the delicate, fresh energy of new beginnings. Well done.
In this work you managed to touch me, with the delicate and sensitive execution, as well as the colors that are so appropriate for the chosen period. It is very interesting how the theme will develop.