This series of close-ups shows the progression of my stitching technique and style over 20 years of illustrating children’s books. The first picture shows a detail of the banana trail that Savi the elephant follows through the jungle in The Way Home (1991). Read the story about making The Way Home here.
from "The Way Home" 1991
I made a stencil and painted grass on the velveteen background in The Way Home‘s sequel, Come to my Party (1993).
from "Come to My Party" 1993
Jump ahead a dozen years and I’m embroidering blades of grass and sewing glass beads to a wool felt background in the board book, Hey! Diddle, Diddle.
detail from "Hey! Diddle, Diddle" 2005
And still obsessing over french knots in Jack and Jill.
detail from "Jack and Jill" 2006
This one shows a small section of the illustration from the song One misty moisty morning in my most recent book, POCKETFUL OF POSIES . If you are having difficulty finding a copy of the book, it’s because the first printing has sold out. My local bookstore, Eight Cousins, stocked up, so they might still have some (508.548.5548). The situation will soon be remedied, as the second printing will arrive from Hong Kong in mid-January.
detail from "Pocketful of Posies" 2010
SALLEY MAVOR 
I am so enjoying these close ups Salley, such detailed work…you have a true gift! Hope you enjoyed your Christmas?
All are lovely. I have to say that I love the painted stencil as it evokes theorem painting to me–with a contemporay twist. I like all the examples and could not pick a favorite even if I tried.
The blizzard has started in southern CT…guessing it must be coming your way, too. Not quite a white Christmas..but close!
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas day Salley.
So happy that your new book has sold out! that means your wonderful work is being appreciated.
Jenny
I love all of them! I really love the grace foliage shapes in Pocketful of Posies, and I too love the stenciled grass with the dimensional pieces added over it. Beautiful! Hope you had a great Christmas!
Wonderful details…thank you for the interesting description!
Love all your books!!!
Salley, What beautiful detailed close-ups! I love to see how other artists work, epspecially when it includes creating such intricate details such as your artwork. Just stunning! You must have such patience, every stitch is so amazingly perfect. 🙂
I really like how you incorporated beads for leaves in the Hey Diddle Diddle piece.
Beautiful work!