Embroidered Collage

This set wasn't complicated to make, instead the effort went into choosing the materials.

The theme for the swap was "funky trees".  I tried drawing some, as the hostess had done a wonderful job with pen and ink and paint, but really wasn't satisfied, so started thinking about collage.  I wanted something patterned and interesting and found this blue and gold paper in my stash.  Then I needed a background, so I started auditioning various hand-decorated papers from previous swaps until I found this bright pink and gold one from Melissa.

I cut rectangles, but then tore out the tree shapes, deliberately making each one a bit different.  After I was done, I realized that the leftover bits would make great trunks.  With the gluing complete I still felt that they needed something, so I added some stitching, overlapping the edges of the tree shape in some places and staying within it in others.  I tried to choose shapes that would complement the shape and pattern of the tree. 

I did make five, not four, because I'm keeping one for myself. :)