Stitch Tree - workshop pics

We are part way through the Stitch Tree workshop and I am so excited about the variety of trees growing around the room last night, I thought I would share some of them with you. It is incredible just how different the simple brief of 'stitch a tree' can be interpreted in stitch...

... there is an elegant weeping willow.
The fabric is a rich purple silk backed with cotton to help support the stitching. What you see stitched here is only padding, so stay tuned to see what happens when is is covered with crisp white and fine metallic threads...

... a delightful country scene inspired by early American crewel work designs.
This project is really a stitch sampler in disguise - a delightful way to play with colours and learn more stitches. I wonder how many different stitches we can fit into this piece...?

... a beautiful autumn birch forest.
We had a good discussion about copyright before Jan was confident to start working as she was worried about copying. I don't believe interpreting an existing image in stitch for your own enjoyment alone is a breach of copyright but certainly would have concerns if it was done for commercial or show purposes.
Isn't the piece of Japanese cotton print just perfect for this project?

... memories of a recent trip to Japan is recreated in stitches.
Joy brought a gorgeous fabric pack and a couple of post cards from a recent trip to Japan to the first lesson - it was more about colour and emotion rather than stitches. The trick with this project is going to be not to overdo it - the gentle art of 'less is more' so far it is coming along oh so beautifully. 

... traditionally crewel work is stitched on ivory or taupe background, but look what happens when it is replaced by black! Striking, isn't it?
The shading in the trunk and roots is fabulous, achieved almost entirely in stem stitch. Like the first pic, the idea for this project is to use it as a stitch sampler and thee is certainly plenty of scope for play. 

Is anyone else stitching trees at the moment? I haven't done a great deal more on my tree, but I hope to be able to show you some progress soon.

Best stitches
Anna X