Rusalka inspired

After quite some time, here's a new project of mine, and by new I mean no recycling this time :)
Also, I decided to make a rather time consuming card, which I haven't done in a while. I'm not sure yet where it will end up eventually, but I can easily imagine it to be a birthday gift, an elegant masculine card, or maybe the crowning of a happy love story?

The prominent swirl is to introduce May's ATG theme at the Fadengrafik Challenge, I created it by using a pattern that I've pricked ages ago (ok, a little bit of recycling after all), sewing it with a metallic yarn and adding a couple of pearls in the end.

For the background, I used a shimmering paper with an irregular swirly pattern that came in a set of autumn/butterfly themed prints. 
However, this particular one reminds me of reflections on the water and as soon as I've seen it I thought I might use it in some Rusalka themed creation, but I never got to work. I actually glued the paper on the card base already (ok, more recycling here), but I lacked time, proper inspiration and else. 

Now, I thought about using it in combination with the shimmering swirl. What seems quite a contrast at first, to me looks like the spirit of Dvořák's cursed water nymph lamenting her faith by a secluded water source somewhere in the wild...

... Or maybe by a calm riverside with swans gently floating by?

A little contribution to the May collection of Create in Austria - artwork created by Austrians and/or in Austria.
A little contribution to the collection of hand-stitching at made with Blümchen.

challenges: 
- krafty chicks: ATG
- a bit more time to craft: ATG
- crafty catz: ATG
- craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper
- creative moments: ATG
- kreativtanten: wedding with pearls/rhinestones
- love to craft: ATG 
- morgans artworld: ATG
- path of positivity: style (I'd pick paper embroidery this time as I really like the technique a lot - it takes ages to get a card done, but it's like some kind of meditation to me and I think it also makes me think about the recipient b/c I'd only give a card like this out of my hands if I know they'll appreciate the work I put into it. On the other hand, having a plot behind what I create might be part of my style, too - sometimes my inspiration is obvious while it's very subtle at other times, but I'll always try to connect the details I use into a wholesome story)
- pennys papertake: ATG
- sketchy challenges: ATG
- through the craftroom door: ATG
- wortartwednesday: ATG
- pinspirational ATG
- worldwide open design team challenge: ATG