Caro Higgs – Nature #5
Cactus
Continuing my nature quilts inspired by the Bardenas and Mallos de Riglos area of Northern Spain.
The last two will be plants and I have taken shots that are fairly close up. Having chosen my subject I realised that actually I didn’t have many photographs because in the Bardenas there are few plants and in the Riglos it was mainly trees but I have worked with what I have. The first is the edge of a prickly cactus, I have used different fabrics and thicknesses to differentiate between the different plants.
I used cotton and cotton silk fabric which is painted and or dyed, using appliqué and hand and machine stitching. I learnt a great deal working on this piece and will chose my subject more carefully next time!
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
Beautiful way of giving the prickly pear the density of its needles. Beautiful embroidery and colors. I like the close up and all the details in the texture of the cactus. Bravo!
I love the texture of this piece! I would be afraid to touch your cactus, looks like it would prick my fingers. You did a wonderful job, bravo!
Such a great idea to do a close up. I love the handstitched prickles.
This close up is so realistic! all these needles must have taken a long time but was worth it ! the light green is beautiful and I like the contrast with the dark green leaves.
What a beautiful texture you achieved. These hand stitched prickles looks so real. Your stitching is splendid as always. Bravo.
I am in awe of the many many details in this piece. The prickles look very lifelike and must have taken a lot of time to sew! Overall stitching is gorgeous as is the contrast between the different greens. Beautiful!
A beautiful design and you have used stitching to emphasise the detail in the cactus that I can feel the texture of the plant.
A clever depiction of a cactus. I love how you stitched the spines. There is so much detail here – excellent work.
Your fabric choice and stitching really gives the impression of the prickly surface of the cactus and is beautifully worked.
You have selected just the right greens to make your quilt come to life. The stitched details are amazing!
I really like the abundance of details you added on the cactus. Like the minimum colors you used. A beautiful point of view on the cactus.
A tremendous and, I think, very long work on the details, particularly on the spines. Optimal choice of fabrics that conveys the texture of the cactus and highlights the stitching work.
Oh my, what a beautiful plants and the way you translate them into fabrics, great job!
So much detail in your closeup prickly pear cactus, great fabric color choices along with impressive stitching. Well done!