Between the Trees
By Peggy O'Connor, Laurel Chapter

People's Choice
Catherine Jordan's Choice

I had purchased a multi-colored specialty fiber that made me think of gnarly tree roots. To utilize it, I felted a wool base with different colors representing above and below ground. The plants and roots are stitched using cotton floss, wool tapestry yarn, and other fibers, with felted grubs and branch, and fabric-covered matboard for rocks. Stitches used include fly, coral, and straight stitch, as well as couching and colonial knots.

Artifact
By Diane Stavola, Blue Ridge Chapter

Carole Lake's Choice
Phyllis Maurer's Choice

"Artifact" was made in response to a news program about the war and unrest in the Middle East. The Middle East is the birth place of the three major religions of the West. The peoples of these religions are and have always been to some degree embroiled in wars and unrest with each other and within their own groups. As a result we, the peoples of the West and Middle East, live in societies that are "peaceless". "Artifact" represents how I now see the world.

Fiber of My Life
By Karla Gee, Blue Ridge Chapter

"Fiber of My Life " reflects my Scottish heritage. I have been doing genealogical "roots" research on my mother's, mother's side for a while so it seemed natural for me to use that as the basis of my challenge. A number of different tartans (plaids) can represent one clan, so the center tartan bead hanging is a beaded loom piece done with a variety of MacCallum tartans. I achieved this design with my computer. I montaged the tartans, morphed them, and then overlaid the result with a grid to achieve my pattern.

The charms hanging on each side of the tartan help to further illustrate my Scottish roots. The thistle hanging to the left of the piece is the symbol of Scotland and is done in brick, fringe, and peyote beading techniques. One of the last pictures I have of my grandmother was her in her tam-o'-shanter at a Highland game, thus the "tam" to the right to recognize the "little bit of Scot" in me. It is done in square, circular, and free form peyote stitches with a beaded stumpwork tassel. The remaining charm is the Celtic cross done in double layered square stitch, fringe, and wirework. This commemorates those family members who belonged to the "Free" Church of Scotland, but wanted to be in a place where they could more freely express their faith.

Healthy Roots Spawn Beautiful Wings
By Sue Osterberg, Laurel Chapter

It's a Radish, You Say?
By Sydney Mace, Laurel Chapter

Had lots of fun ideas which I couldn't get out of the inside of my head, so decided to experiment with technique instead. With a radish, you get two roots, so to speak -- the tasty vegie itself, plus its trailing root. I wanted to see if I could get a rounded top and bottom -- but was only moderately successful. The pendant is hollow and is done in beaded circular peyote; it is about 1 ½ inch high by 1 inch in diameter. I'm quite proud of the 3 inch branching root fringe, even if radishes really have only one trailing root with fine offshoots.