The Four Seasons of Sewing Box by Marsha Papay-Gomola

This project has been in the planning stage for several years. I wanted to use the historical theme of the four seasons on a box featuring each season on a separate side. I have accomplished this by using autumn and winter for the box ends. Summer and Spring for the prominent front and top.

I used the theme of the bountiful harvest for autumn. A very dimensional pumpkin and grapevines are surrounded by colorful maple and oak leaves. The pumpkin is a slip worked in tent stitch that is appliquéd over padding. The leaves are wired detached elements worked in Silk ‘n’ Color. The effect achieved is a random mix of color very reminiscent of the colorful leaves of autumn.

Winter is represented by the flowers of winter. The Christmas rose and snowdrops frequently bloom in the garden when there is still snow on the ground. Both of the flowers feature silk shading and the use of padding and wire.

Spring is represented by daffodils and the common yellowthroat warbler. The spring migration of the birds is one of the most anticipated events of the year. The returning birds along with the appearance of the early daffodil signals the end of the cold weather. I decided to use the common yellowthroat male with his broad black mask and bright yellow throat. He complements the yellow of the daffodils. I used Soie d’Alger for both the daffodils and the warbler.

The abundance of Summer is featured on the top of the box. The raspberries are ready and a cute little field mouse is trying to decide which berry to pick. The daylilies are in full bloom attracting a beautiful butterfly to dine. This is a summer day in my garden. I used Soie d’Alger for the daylily petals. I matched the colors to a daylily blooming in my garden. I used Anchor stranded cottons for the mouse and raspberries. I like to use various fibers for the contrast of texture. The cotton for the mouse gives him a duller appearance.