Mandala CCXXXVII

(Above:  Mandala CCXXVII.  Custom framed:  13 3/4" x 13 3/4". Found objects hand-stitched to a section of an antique applique quilt. Objects include:  An orange strainer; six, blue plastic toy chairs; heart-shaped rabies pet tags; peach colored tops to insulin syringes; purple bottle caps; dice; blue and white plastic lids; neon green horseman figurines; assorted buttons and beads. Click on either image to enlarge.)

Often, my mandalas include a perimeter of buttons ... all the same buttons.  Occasionally, I sort through my stash for a variety of bright, colorful buttons to use on smaller pieces that are equally bright and colorful.  This is one of those!

 

(Above:  Mandala CCXXXVII at an angle.)

The thoughts running through my head when I designed this piece had everything to do with the mandala I'd just finished.  I've used the same antique applique quilt and the same moulding/frame.  Yet, the first piece covered up almost all of the appliqued flowers and didn't have a button edge at all.  I decided to use a totally different approach ... one that would allow the quilt to peek through the objects and one that would capitalize on the reflective quality of the moulding/frame's shiny, silver lip.  I think the results worked well!