The Exemplary 2026
2nd Place, Non-Professional Non-Original with Instruction
Judge’s Choice

This fantasy piece intrigued me from the beginning. I can look at it and imagine fairies or little trolls living in the house, picking flowers in the yard and walking down the deck to the boat and rowing out onto the lake. They have a pet cat on the swing. There are probably friendly animals living in the tree. Life is good there! This picture was stitched with many different threads and colors: silks, metallics, synthetics, wools, and some perle cotton. I used beads for some of the flowers and the small mushrooms near the lake. I found a miniature latch for the door handle. I love the whimsical touch the frame adds to this piece.