Taking it beyond Shabby Chic - Study in Contrast

After my last post, I decided to try the technique I used on my "Shabby Chic" scarves with a new twist:  A wall hanging.  I love the layered look of the scarves, and I love how easy the water soluble stabilizer is to hold all the bits and pieces together while I sew them down.  I decided to see if I could create a piece of wall art that would be more than a hodge podge of fabric and yarn... something I was a bit doubtful I could pull off at first.  But in keeping with my theme of "Play" for the year, I decided the worst that could happen was that I would have something to throw in the stack of UFO's, to be pulled out at another time when the inspiration hit.  However, I'm happy to say that I am completely satisfied with the results:

I decided to name it "Study in Contrast"... not a very original or sexy name, but it does seem to describe the piece.  Light/Dark, Shiny/dull, Straight/Curved edges, Solid/Fluid.  I used a piece of Juniper wood from the woodpile to suspend it from, and finished the outside edges with a zigzag, just to reduce fraying .  But it is a raw-edge applique, so it's different.  Of all the pieces I have done over the past few years, this may well be my favorite!  And I'm quite sure this will be just the first in a series of wall hangings using this wonderful technique!  More to come...