Practice: Tree & Owl

I've been thinking about trees a lot lately. I really loved the tree that was in my Grandma Moses inspired piece last week. One of the things I like most about making that piece was the looser style of the design. I'm a perfectionist, and one thing this project has helped me with is letting go of some of those tendencies. Anytime I do an abstract piece or last week's tree, I feel more confident in my embroidery skills because I'm letting myself enjoy the process more. I don't have to focus on getting everything just so. There is a time for careful stitches and a time for stitches that have no real plan. Trees can be both, and I've decided to devote an entire week in October to trees and leaves. Some will be very precise and tidy and others will be wild and weird. 

Today's piece is a practice piece for October. I woke up this morning with this idea of a tree and owl in my head, and remembered I have owl patterned fabric, so it all came together without me having to draw an owl (not something I wanted to do today). Originally, I planned to do either satin or wrapped couching stitch for the tree, but neither seemed right to me. Instead, I went with a mix of back, straight, and split back stitches to make the tree. 

I had a realization about halfway through making the tree: I will never be able to recreate this tree again. I can make another version of it, but because the stitches are wherever they need to be, it will never be the same tree. I love that about this piece. 

Without the leaves or owl - it's cool on its own too.

Details:
Stitches: back, split back, straight, satin stitches, French knots
Thread palette: SS 113, 115 (3 strands), 014, 205, 304 (3, 6 strands), DMC B5200 (3 strands)
Other materials: owl fabric