Previously, I shared with readers how creative you can get using needlepoint to create cards showing how to create a leaf card. This is an excellent option if you participated in the Layers Of Leaves project last year.
If you are unfamiliar with the project, it was a wreath featuring 56 needlepoint leaves designed by Kam Wenzloff and featured in each edition of Needlepoint Now throughout 2023.
Since my local stitch group always likes participating in group projects, shortly after this was shown in one of the Facebook groups, they started stitching leaves, which featured different threads, colours and stitches.
Our leaf today has a background mosaic stitch using blue floss with metallic stripes couched over the background with aqua floss.
I particularly love this stitching technique as it allows you to create depth in the patterns. You can mimic the delicate layers and contours found in nature’s tapestry by utilizing a variety of thread colours and textures.
I encourage you to play around and use different shades of green to emulate the play of light and shadow on a leaf or incorporate metallic threads to capture the glimmer of sunlight filtering through the foliage.
As you stitch through the canvas, you’ll be amazed at how combining colours and stitches adds a three-dimensional effect, making your leaf pattern come alive!
The leaf is stitched with Indian stripe stitch using size 5 perle cotton alternating with an older aqua/green blend, bold green and Colour #75. I personally love using this technique because its flexibility allows you to explore different avenues of creativity and experiment with other applications. It also gives your eyes a bit of “space” to breathe, especially when looking at the intricate patterns created from the mosaic stitch.
All the leaves I’ll share this year were not finished but used as card inserts for future gift-giving. This is an option if you don’t want to finish your leaves OR perhaps you want to stitch more.
