Inspired by a Christmas Cactus

Once again, my Christmas cactus was beautiful this year. (Here in Florida it lives outside year round.)

I began to imagine what an abstracted version might look like in fabric. Can’t you envision some bright, spiky red shapes? I was especially enamored with the cascading blossoms on the right side.

Just to jump start some ideas, I played with the photo on my computer. This pointillist version really got my attention.

Whoa! I was pretty much blown away by these bright spots of color and the black background.

I began to ask questions and to make plans. I knew I wanted to include some black and to use shards of bright colors. I didn’t think I wanted to use little circular blobs, though.

What would be a better shape? Maybe a rectangle with a point cut off? (A shape I had just used in my most recent quilt.) Would I want to cover the entire surface with such shapes? I didn’t think so.

I bought some solid black fabric and began to audition colors and shapes. I’ll show you soon.

Ellen Lindner