BaRK

Yes, bArK..... or tree bark.

You see, URU has this wonderful Plum trunk on the left hand side of the design that I've yet to stitch.  I've left it for almost last because I really love stitching trees.

This past weekend was two of my big brother's first big bike race that was mostly off-road near the White Water Center in Tennessee and went through the Cohutta Mountain Range.  Here's two quick pictures of the beginning of the race (proud sister of one brother that road 100 miles, the other 65 miles, through the worst weather conditions imaginable), Biggest brother is in red/black/white:

So a couple of my siblings.... Oh! I should stop here to explain that I am one of seven - four boys and three girls, I'm the oldest girl.  ... a couple of my siblings and I drove a really convoluted way up through the Cohutta mountain range to the halfway or 50 mile break point to cheer on the riders.  I've been hiking up there a couple of times but had forgotten how beautiful this area is.  Here is a picture of what Hermit, a couple of sibs and I found:

Isn't it beautiful?  About 55 degrees with bad weather moving in but this forest was almost surreal.  My little sister, Kermit (so called 'cause of the green jacket) and I had the best time wandering in this area:

Little sis is a forestry grad and we're both the daughters of naturalists so this really should not come as any real big surprise.  Every breath and view I took in brought images of how I could translate what lay before me onto fabric....

Naturally, my mind wandered to that Plum tree trunk and how I was going to go about it:

Little Kermit pointed out this wonderful Tulip Popular tree that was standing proud.  Actually, she said it wasn't that amazing of a specimen but I just loved how cragelly it is (is that a word?)

Most of what I love about it is was the wonderful bark.  This tree is the kind that you can lay your hand on and know it will see you through any kind of storm: weather or personal.  It had gorgeous bark and WONDERFUL moss:

In URU, I will not get so rustic but I do want to give the bark a bit of life and definitely show shading.  The Tulip Poplar will be an inspiration source for creating an almost realistic tree feel.  So home I came and was directly inspired to begin on the Plum trunk:

Next post I'll get more onto shading, creation of the trunk, better pictures, and notes on how to improve on future stitching trees endeavors.  Stay tuned!

Last notes before my tired eyes must close for the night.  To the left is another picture of this ethereal place.  Below this clump of trees we found a huge patch of Mayapples that grow naturally in the Cohutta Mountains.  They have a beautiful white flower that had not yet bloomed when we were there.  Another day or two of sunny, warm weather to produce their beautiful blossoms.  We also found tons of snails, strawberries, and other assorted wild flowers in their glory across from Bubba's cabin.

The deer had recently been through, rubbing their fur and doing what deer do in the spring just over this ridge.  I look forward to returning to this area in a few short weeks.

Christa Lilystitch

 www.lilystitch.blogspot.com and www.lilystitch.com