My Initial by Sheila Ary

"My Initial" was stitched in response to a challenge from the Embroiderers’ Guild of America some years ago. I wanted the initial to stand out, but not to be the only thing for the viewer to look at. I came up with the idea of a series of frames surrounding and also involving the letter, two of which are ultrasuede instead of stitching, to provide a different texture. I am pleased with the shading effect I achieved inside the first frame and between the first and second. It works well to provide interest without drowning the letter. The other decorations I included in order to say something about the person represented by this initial.