Sometimes a frame can make all the difference in the world. These two little trees measure about 6×4 each. Finishing them as miniature quilts was a possibility, but they really needed something that would a) make them bigger, b) accentuate their elegance in a minimalist way and c) protect them from the forces of nature and their inevitable impact on small things.

I’ve opted to go with ordinary dark wooden frames. The mattes shown here aren’t quite the final selection or layout; I have yet to cut those. In the second piece, the aperture will be slightly larger to allow for the entirety of the twigs and the first piece needs minor repositioning (I’ll slide it 1/8 of an inch to the left).

The tree panels are pen and ink drawings on cotton, over-painted with Pebeo fabric paints and the upper piece is accentuated with silver foil. They are stitched to a back panel of cotton with is stretched over an acid-free mounting board. The matte is also acid-free, to prevent deterioration and yellowing. Finished size is 10 3/4″ x 8 3/4″, which is still small enough to be pleasantly minute, but large enough to be visible..

The pictures aren’t the greatest, but you get the idea. I’m really quite pleased…..