Thursday 8 February 2007

Cherry and Plum Blossoms

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

Cherry blossoms (sakura) are synonymous with Spring. They symbolise new beginnings. The cherry, which falls at the height of its beauty without withering, is one of the symbols of the samurai warrior, who had to be ready to give his life instantly.

Each petal has a vertical foundation, stitched with softly twisted silk. The vertical foundation is similar to satin stitch. Each stitch is the whole length of the area to be filled, lying parallel to the vertical axis of the petal. The stamens are a pair of fine gold treads couched with red couching thread. The pollen is two short straight stitches in pale yellow silk.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

The plum (ume) blooms while snow is still on the branches and symbolises new hope. The old bent tree, still producing a profusion of blossoms, stands for longevity. Plum seems to be associated with both winter and spring. As I mentioned yesterday, plum is one of the three friends of winter, together with pine and bamboo.

Plum petals have a vertical foundation of flat silk and its stamens are also couched gold thread. The pollen are Japanese knots of yellow silk twisted with a single strand of gold thread.

Happy Stitching

1 comment:

Bonnie said...

This work is absolutely gorgeous!