Strength and decay

Here's a photo of 'Chinese Lantern' (physalis alkekengi) after it has lost its orange glow. The flower leaves have skeletanised to form a delicate 'cage' around the fruit on the inside. I was amazed at how this 'fragile' plant could withstand the harsh winter weather. So I messed about with this idea in thread and stitch for a while making shawls and framed pieces.