TRADING PLACES

I recently signed up for the first &stitches swap. The theme was "Place".

I ruminated, I pondered, I scratched my head. Time ticked away. Deadlines approached.
I formulated plans, I disregarded them.
Finally I went back to one of my favourite things, maps. Why hadn't I thought of it first?
After a quick trip to google maps I had a well formulated plan.



A machine embroidered map of the area where my swap partner Amy lives.
X marks the spot.
I created the patchwork background from tiny scraps of fabric that would have been destined for the bin if I hadn't rescued them.
I love the patterns the roads form, they almost look like some ancient hieroglyphs.
In turn Amy sent me a wonderful hand embroidered representation of Illinois where she is from with an emphasis on her home town.



At the top is "Symbol" a much loved public art sculpture created by Alexander Liberman in 1978.
In the middle is Abraham Lioncoln, Amy's favourite president, who got his legal start in Illinois. She told me Illinois is known as the Land of Lincoln.
Finally at the bottom a bunch of violets, the state flower.
I love the understated simplicity of this piece, from the clean lines to the subtle decoration on the hoop. 
I am planning a little corner of my workroom where I can hang all the lovely swaps I have received recently. This thought is making me very happy indeed!
Much Love Nora xxx