Mandala CCLX, The Little Icon

(Above:  Mandala CCLX, The Little Icon.  Custom framed:  13" x 13".  Found objects hand-stitched to a block of an antique quilt.  Objects include:  A small, souvenir icon; Kindness coins; brass letter stencils; miniature keys; ROTC stripes pins; brass screw eyes; decorative pieces of brass for DIY projects or jewelry; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on either image to enlarge.)

Sometimes it's a unique centerpiece that inspires a Found Object Mandala.  Sometimes, it's a collection of multiple objects that will create a great ring.  Sometimes, it's the quilt that initiates a design.  This time, it was the frame.  The moulding used was the scrap leftover after framing two recently, hand-stitched In Box Series pieces that were done on white felt.  Four short pieces remained.  I told Steve to cut me the largest possible square from these four pieces.  This was it.  My job became a way to fill the frame ... one with a flat, shiny silver front and white sides. 

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLX at an angle.)

Serendipity played its part.  I'd forgotten the cheap, little icon until rummaging through my stash.  From there, the rest of the parts fell into place.  It took no longer than a single night to stitch the work.  Of course, it took nearly as long to mount it, put it in the frame, photograph it, enter it into my inventory book, and now blog it ... but I loved every moment.  I've very pleased that the challenge was met!