I stitched the ice dyed flower piece to the background, got all the flowers stitched down and now I have to decide if I want to add the leaf sprigs or not.
Here is the entire piece with the added leaf sprigs and an extra cheesecloth flower on the left edge.
Here it is without the leaf sprigs (I left the flower).
Here’s a closer view with the extra leaves.
And without. What do you think? Should I use the leaf sprigs or not? I can’t decide.
I did add a little bit of stitching out into the border of additional leaves.
So there are leaves going over the border of the red into the green. So do you think I need to add the leaves? What’s your vote? Do you have any good ideas for a name for the piece? I keep calling it ice flowers but not sure that’s really a good name.
Ruth Lane Art 
I like the stitched leaves going over into the border – very pretty – but my vote is for no extra sprigs.
I like the name ‘ice flowers’, and as the finished piece has a very ‘warm’ look it would be a quirky title wouldn’t it? Go for it.
Thanks Lyn, at the moment I am leaning in the no sprigs direction. It has been ice flowers to me for a while so that might just have to be it. š
I agre with Lyn, leave the leaf sprigs out, Very nice sprigs, but “less os more” as they say.
Thanks Judith – I guess the sprigs will be used for something else.
I think the leaf sprigs take away from your beautiful flowers and leaves. When I see this, I think “Spring Azaleas” so that would be the name I’d suggest. Lovely work.
Thanks – the vote is definitely leaning towards no sprigs. Thanks for the name suggestion.
Well I like it with the sprigs but I don’t claim to have a valid opinion!
I think your opinion is valid!
It’s gorgeous Ruth. I agree with Lyn no sprigs. My 4 year old grandson was looking at with me and told me liked it and he wants to meet you. I said you lived far away and he said “we’ll just have to go on an airplane then.” š
Looks like “no sprigs” is getting the most votes. I’d love to meet your grandson! š
He’s planning the trip!
I think this piece is beautiful it reminds me of Georgia o Keefe’s work. I think no extra sprigs because for me it Is all about the flowers.
Thanks Liz – it definitely is all about the flowers – that’s a very good point.
My vote is for less sprigs too, I like the 4th picture down best but feel something is needed about 1/3 of the way up on the right hand side (a small leaf sprig perhaps?). I love how you have the leaves erupting from the frame, absolutely beautiful!
Thanks Teri – the leaves erupting came because the background fabric looked just like leaves up in the top left corner. So I thought it would really bring the two pieces of fabric together. I might add a small cheesecloth flower in the spot you think needs something. It is rather blank there.
Ps I like ‘Ice Flowers’.
Thanks Liz – I guess you should just go with your first inclination.
I had to download the pics and flick back and forth, but I go for no sprigs too. It’s a gorgeous piece, Ruth š
Thanks Zed – It is easier when the photos are side by side to see the differences.
It’s beautiful! I’m also in the “no sprigs” camp – I think the extra flowers add enough texture. And the embroidered leaves in the border really bring the piece together. Lovely!
Thanks Kim – I do like the leaves going into the border too. I think the vote count is definitely against adding the sprigs.