Pink Perfection

I've decided on the background, I love this color of blue.  If you remember the original photo from the last post you will see that the blue color is very similar.  I'm trying to decide if I want to crop some off the right side.  

This is what it would look like.  I think I've decided but wondered if any of you have a preference?

Pink Perfection

I didn't have a lot of time in the studio today but I did finish cutting and fusing the camellia I worked on Monday.

I have lots of painting that needs done to get dept and define the petals.   But that will come another day.

The background is so important to my flower pieces.  I always try several different pieces of fabric, usually hand dyes.

This is another hand dyed piece I tried and I think this is the one I'm going to use. 

I cut three of the leaves today but I'm not really happy with the color.  I think I will go a little lighter.  I always have to play.  If I'm not happy with a piece I cut out, out it comes.  I can always use it in another piece or cut it up for a smaller item. 

 The photograph was taken in my front yard.  The camellia is called Pink Perfection.  I angled the camera so that I would see the beautiful blue sky in the background.


I may even get some time in the studio tomorrow.  Not seeing any of my family tomorrow so I can't think of anything else I would rather do.

Fondling Fabric and new project

I started a new project today.  I'm set to teach at J. C. Campbell in Jan. and wanted to get a new sample made for the class.  I always take out my basket of fabric that holds the color I'm looking for and go through or audition the fabric for the project.

I try to keep my hand dyed fabrics together.  I don't always have enough of one color to have a separate basket of just that color.  As usual when things are hectic I just stuff whatever, wherever.  This lead me to cleaning out two baskets, refolding and placing in the correct basket.

I was interested in pink so after I folded and put away the basket, I kept the pink out to use.

 After several hours this is what happened.  Actually this is just a small mess.  Usually the fabric is on the floor, the sewing machine table and all surfaces that I can reach.  I must be getting neater. 

It's interesting seeing this after a days work and then seeing it here as a photo.  I can see several things that I need to change that I didn't see when I stopped work this afternoon.

Taking photos and looking at them is one thing that I stress in my classes.  I believe you can see potential problems that you can't see after looking at a piece for a while.

No time to work tomorrow but hope to get back and finish the flower on Wed. 

Spirit of the Kiva Revived

I decided that I needed to let my eyes rest and haven't been working on the thread painting since the surgery.  However, I wanted to get some other things done.  This piece was started about two years ago.  I started the quilting and had about 2/3 of the large design done when I realized that it was going wonky on me.  Because I have the straight lines of the boarder I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to get everything to look straight.

I decided to take the photo printed on fabric out, redo the printing and reinsert it in the boarders.  I started sewing the boarders on today.  Because the printed fabric area was larger that the first one I had to do some trimming.  It was quite confusing for a while.  I'm used to making the boarders match the center piece.  This time I had to make the center match the boarders.  You understood that didn't you?    I had to call in reinforcements, my husband, to help.  We finally figured it out and I hope to get the other two sides sewn tomorrow.

Cataract Surgery Goes Great

I had no idea that the colors I was seeing were not correct until after my surgery on Thursday.  I had the cataract on my right eye removed and a lens inserted that will allow me to see distance, in-between and up-close all in one.

My vision is still a little cloudy but today it appears that the right eye is becoming dominate and my overall vision is better.  I am having the left eye done on Nov. 27, then I will have all new vision.

It's been amazing to look outside at the Autumn leaves that are still around.  I close my right eye and everything has a very yellow/gold look.  This I thought was normal.  I then close my left eye and see the bright natural colors.  It's amazing.

I think I had forgotten how white, white can be.  I need to get out a few of my newer fiber art pieces to look at them with new eyes.  I may have some surprises as I view them with new eyes.

A Learning Experience

Since my last post I've gotten quite a bit done.  It may not look like a lot to the observer but if you've ever thread painted you will know that I've accomplished quite a bit.

I recently purchased a book by Carol Shinn titled Freestyle Machine Embroidery.  It was recommended to me by members on the SAQA blog.

I am so glad I listened to them and ordered this book.  It is chocked full of great ways to handle problems.

Take this photo, you will note to the left I am attempting to thread paint a shadow on the jeans where the handle of the watering can is shading the jeans.  There is quite a distinct line where the shadow ends.

 After reading Carol's book I knew just what to do to make it look more realistic. 

I am beginning to get puckering with all the dense thread painting.  The one in this photo will be quilted out as this area is going to be as dense as the jeans.

However, I am beginning to get puckers as seen beside the pocket and above the flower where the area is not going to be that dense.

I also found a bulge today in the side of the watering can.  Carol to the rescue again.  She demonstrates how to slice the bulge open make the corrections and then thread paint over the opening.

I'm no where near ready to do that yet as I will be waiting until I finish the whole piece to make any corrections.

Okay, I would like a pat on the back.  The overalls and some of the watering can have all been done since last week.  It is so much fun seeing this piece take shape.

Here again you can see the puckering beside the jeans.  I'm not sure what can be done here, haven't finished Carol's book yet.   I have an idea of my own that is my fall back, just in case it won't iron out or the quilting won't take care of the problem.

Tomorrow cataract surgery so will be taking it easy for a few days. 

It's Slow Going

What little time I've had in the studio this week has been spent doing the straps, hooks and bib of Connor's bib overalls.

 IT IS SLOW GOING!

I am enjoying the process and I really love to see the results at the end of time spent.  My guess is that I have about ten hours in the bib, and straps. 

Tomorrow I'm out of the house all day so won't be back until Tues. for more thread painting.  I have cataract surgery on Thursday and I think the thread painting will have to take back seat for a few weeks. 

I have a new project to create on the design wall while my eyes are healing so I won't be idle. 

A closer look.

A Copper Watering Can

I returned home yesterday after spending some time in NC moving my Mother-In-Law to a new facility.  She is settled in a good place and is Okay. 

I finished the thread painting of the copper watering can today.  I started it last week before we left but didn't get very far.  This was the results of about five hours of work today.

This is not a one day or even a one week project that I'm working on now.  However, I think it will be worth the time.

This is a closer view of the watering can.  I really enjoyed choosing the threads to achieve the patina of old copper. 

I used some green, red, and multi colors of golds and browns. I have a meeting tomorrow and it's not likely that I will get much done on this piece but, I have set aside the rest of the week and hope to really see some difference in the left side of the piece by the end of the weekend.