3rd Place, Professional Non-Original with Instruction

Lynn Payette’s creation called Fabulous Fungi was a class taught at NAN Assembly in 2015. I had long admired the design since first seeing it in a Teachers’ Showcase at Callaway, so when the opportunity presented itself for me to take the class, I eagerly signed up.

I was attracted to the raised techniques used to effect the mushrooms, and to the hints of glitz and glimmer throughout the design. There were many techniques employed in this design with which I was not familiar; most of these involved Wonder Under and things that formerly had horrified me if anywhere near embroidery, i.e. glue!

Several mushrooms are worked in blackwork stitches over organza stabilized with Wonder Under, and then beaded; later these are carefully appliquéd to the main canvas. Other textured stitches include bullions and cast on bullions, raised stem stitch, needlelace (cloth stitch) and the liberal use of various beads.

This was a great learning experience for me and a bit of a challenge here and there, and I loved the class.