When I need inspiration for a design,

I have only to step a few steps outside my door

and on down the country road that surrounds the grounds........
waiting for me is a world of color...........and inspiration

I would love a blossoming tree growing in the middle of a barbed wire fence.........

but I do not have one growing here............yet.

Instead, this mesquite tree which  has been here for years.....in front of my vintage 

linen and dishware shop......has just the perfect look..........

with it's turned trunk and swirling limbs..........

it does not blossom

down the road, the ranchers barbed wire fence has cactus and wild berry bushes

growing in between the strands of wire. It is amazing to see how these wild plants 

adapt to their restraint of the barbed wire. 

With inspiration in my mind and heart......I headed home to find my needle. 

I sketched the tree and the barbed wire fence..........then

I embroidered dozens of little lazy daisy stitches in a pretty

plum/purple color.  I had thought about using a long and short stitch for the trunk,

but sometimes, this stitch takes away from detail and it also looks heavy.

I wanted the trunk and limbs of the tree to have detail and texture. 

I decided to stitch the trunk this way instead........it fills it in, yet gives it enough 

space for detail.

I wanted the tree to look as if it has grown in between the wire. I had wanted the wire

to be darker, but I needed it to show up on the trunk and fence and chose a light silver instead.

I also wanted flowers along the ground.........and petals from the tree scattered on the ground

and now it's finished.  Not sure what I will do with this piece.........

but for now.........I have a blooming tree in the middle

of a barbed wire fence!