This is the second post about the North African illustration for my new children’s book. To see Part 1 in the series, click here. The scene will be included in My Bed: Celebrating Children’s Beds Around the World. The story is written by Rebecca Bond and will be published by HoughtonMifflin in 2020. Here are links to posts showing other finished illustrations for the book: South America, Japan, India, Afghanistan, Russia. and Iran. To see a list of all my books, click here.
During the month-long process of working on a scene, I keep needed materials and supplies close at hand, with the actual work space increasingly limited to a little corner of my table. The surface in the foreground of the photo is an ironing board. The color scheme changes from page to page, so I select a new combination of felt and thread for each illustration. All of the stitching is done while holding the pieces in my hands, including this building and roof. There’s more about the roof tiles in Part 1.
This is what my work table looks like most of the time, with piles of cardboard bobbins of embroidery thread, spools of wire, a thimble, scissors, pliers, a wire cutter, a seam ripper, rulers, boxes of beads, etc.
After the houses were built, I started in on the landscaping.
These tiny glass leaf beads have been in my collection for years and I wanted to incorporate them in a vine that climbs up the side of a house. I formed the stems with wire, attaching the leaves as I went and then covered the the wire with embroidery floss.
To make a rooftop planter, I painted a miniature wooden pot to look like terracotta. The stems are thread wrapped wire, with seed beads sewn to the ends.
The pot needed something vertical sticking up in the middle, so I added a triplet of felt leaves.
There’s more to share, so please stay tuned for Part 3 in this series.
To keep up with new posts, subscribe to this blog (top right column on the home page). Your contact info will not be sold or shared. If you’d like to see more frequent photos tracking the projects in my studio, please follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.
SALLEY MAVOR 
Hi Salley, would you allow me to do a post for my followers where I share your photos of the “landscaping” (6 photos). I’d include you comments that go with them. I’d credit you and link back and mention what you’re doing re the book. (If you allow me, I’d do it in about a weeks time, roughly!) Pls let me know, thanks!
Thank you for your interest in writing a post about my work and I appreciate your asking permission, too. Yes, please go ahead and use the photos and comments. Your blog looks very interesting!
Thanks so much Salley, I’m really delighted and looking forward to doing the post! 🙂
As we discussed, I’ve done the reblog of the “landscaping” at https://exploringcolour.wordpress.com/2018/09/09/north-africa-in-stitches/ Thanks Salley!
I love your workspace! I would feel right at home. That is how I work too, though occasionally, everything goes back where it belongs (or more accurately- a bunch of stuff gets put back. “Everything” is a bit optimistic.).
I love how each part of your foliage is communicating with each other! creating a healthy whole
Gorgeous and full of creativity. What a full scene in every way, Sally.
Your brain must be on overdrive creating all this wonderful world of yours.
Ha, ha. Brain overdrive sounds stressful. I actually feel relaxed and open to ideas as they come along. Peacefully sitting and stitching helps set the mood, allowing time to work out solutions.
Ahhhh … you can really FEEL the warm nights !
Love the plants !
Beautiful as always. Still in awe of your workmanship. True artist you are. Thanks for sharing.