Our quilt guild just hosted Joyce Cauthen, the author of a book about Bettye Kimbrell. Athough Bettye had intended to be with us, she took ill. Joyce brought samples of leaf pounding done by Bettye and they were awesome. It is not for everyone, just as tiny little pieces aren't for everyone, or applique. This is a beautiful technique, and Bettye's quilts have won awards all over the world. She used masking tape on the back of the leaf, pounded it and then the green turns brown, or shades thereof. She had asked a botanist how to keep it green, and was told "I think you killed it" will all the pounding! Her quilt done with huge Castor bean leaves was heart-stopping gorgeous!
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