Thursday, April 21, 2016

First becomes Last

"First Becomes Last", 12"x14", assorted tea stained cloth, hand and embroidery stitching, muslin backing.
Mixed feelings about this one. I feel I've accomplished an old rather found piece due to the tea staining and the whimsy of the rolled up night sky gives me some magic. I'm pleased with the all over stitching as well as learning some new ways...feather stitch! I had stitched the beginning squares and rectangles together rather than machine and again I enjoyed slowing down and taking on a slow process of stitching. The title represents my first effort in this oasis series and the fact it just may become more of a sampler rather than the ancient journey in the desert. I had hoped to roll it up like a scroll in a faux leather paper but color and size just didn't work out. It's all a back and forth unfolding and I don't always get my way!
Not sure who stops by to visit or if all this personal explanation is even being read but it helps me clarify in a journal/sharing way. I realize the less wordy sites are more popular...post the photo with less and less words...answer with less and less words. I posted to Facebook from my phone for the first time and needed to keep it short because of the tiny keyboard...we are all in a hurry!!

Monday, April 11, 2016

Approaching New Ways

I've gathered together some blue, brown and yellow pieces....set up a comfortable (for me) composition and for now, I'll be stitching away. I've pulled out my stitching book and taught myself (left side) the basic feather stitch. My plans don't go much further as the story has just begun. I am stitching to a layer of loose weave fabric as well as muslin and I'm willing to change that as I move along. Beads? maybe. A background fabric? maybe. Paper? maybe. I love options and I'm sure as I progress there will be more. Mainly, I'm stitching as each piece demands and trying not to speed up or over think what I'm doing.
My son is visiting with his wonder dog Gus so I will be stitching when those quiet moments arrive. Happy Monday!

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Tidying up!

 Finally took the time to do some tidying up. I sorted through my toss away and keep pile...perfect place to find the square or circle that mixes with what I'm working on. Usually I keep them all in a huge zipper plastic bag and when I'm at a loss, I start picking and looking and it takes forever because I don't know what I'm looking for but I'll know when I see it??? Now I have at least organized these scraps by color and placed each one ironed in a much smaller zipper bag. I'll post the beginning of a new piece tomorrow and the funny thing is I didn't use any of these beauties. Focusing on my new love of slow stitching.
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