Discovering delightful surprises is one of the reasons I love to stroll through gardens and natural settings. It’s also the reason I observe carefully and keep my camera ready. You never know what amazing sights you’ll come across. I certainly didn’t set out to photograph an incredible balancing act… but that’s what I found!
I was struck by how the leaf is the perfect size and shape for this snail. The snail seems to be nestling into the curve of the leaf… almost like a little cradle. How is that even possible?
There are many intriguing aspects to this situation. How can the snail maintain its balance? How is that fragile plant stem strong enough to hold up the weight of the snail? How did the snail manage to crawl into this place? Did it crawl along that thin little stem? What happens next? Will the snail eat the leaf? As far as I can tell, it’s a common Garden Snail (Helix aspersa or Cornu aspersum) which does consume plant matter.
Regardless of these unanswered questions, or perhaps because of them, I’m drawn to this photo. There’s no flash or sizzle here… just a simple creature on a simple plant. The colors are soft greens and browns. There is a gentle balance. A softness… a peaceful quiet… a calming stillness. A natural harmony!
It’s become popular to start the New Year by choosing a word for the year. The word is meant to represent a concept or ambition that one hopes will represent the year. It’s a simplified version of new year’s resolutions. I’m going to give it a try this year. My word for 2019 will be “Harmony” and I’ll use the below embellished photo as a visual reminder.
This 8 x 10 print is enhanced with a technique called paper stitching. White embroidery floss is used for the word “Harmony” and to accent the spiral curve of the snail shell. The technique is simple and straightforward. Print the design, in this case the text, on a piece of paper and carefully plan the stitch and hole placement as shown below. I found a mix of stitch lengths, with a long stitch on the top and short stitch on the bottom, worked best. Take extra care at the ends and the crossing points of the letters. It’s best to stitch into each hole only once. Avoid placing holes too close together because they can rip when stitched. Place the photo on a padded surface and use a sharp point to punch the holes. Using the same needle to be used for the stitching works well. There are specialty tools (called piercing or pricking tools) available for this step but they’re not necessary.
Use 3 strands of embroidery floss to stitch on the photo. I used a running stitch (aka straight stitch) for the title and a backstitch for the snail spiral. Simply tape the thread ends on the back of the photo.
While it would have been easier to insert a text heading in my photo editing software, paper stitching forced me to slow down and think about harmony. I’ve already noticed more harmony in my life after last year’s transition into retirement. Without the demands and the stress of the corporate world, I have more time for the people and activities I love… something for which I’m sincerely grateful. I’m eager to see what 2019 will bring.
I’ll close this post by wishing you a Happy New Year! May 2019 be filled with Harmony!
More Info
Jan 16, 2021 Update: Paper stitching is an easy project. Only basic design and hand sewing skills are involved. Check out the post, Hello Marvelous Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial, for step-by-step instructions to embroider your own printed photo.
I’ve created a Pinterest board with Paper Stitching inspiration. Check it out.
My previous post, Season’s Greetings 2018, showcases another example of stitching on a photo.
Jan 16, 2021 Update: Gathered.How, publishers of Mollie Makes and other fine craft magazines, provides great instructions in their Library of Embroidery Stitches for Beginners.
To learn more about paper stitching, check out this article on Embroidery on Paper by Nordic Needle.
Today’s Takeaways
1. Consider adopting a word for the year.
2. Consider creating a visual reminder of the word for the year.
3. Paper stitching is a great way to combine photography and embroidery.
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