Ready to Hang

'Inside Out' is complete now, and I am eager to get working on another art quilt. I beaded the flowers, added a sleeve and signed it on the back with Fabrico marker, which is so much quicker then making a label!

Fantasy Garden

More embroidery, beads - including a stacking stitch for a 3D effect - and it's done!

Texturizing

Earlier today I tried some new beading stitches - making a bead 'flower' by using bugle beads radiating out like the spokes on a wheel, with seed beads on either end. For the center, I used 3 seed beads with each stitch, pulling them tightly so they created one piled on top of the other two. I had planned to use a cabochon or very large glass bead for a focal point, but decided that I preferred a scrap flower cut from already beaded and sequined lace. I was blown away by how long it took to do a very small amount of beading in terms of surface coverage and I wanted my piece to have alot more texture from stitch, so I embroidered with various colours in a variety of ways. I feel so desirous of creating fantastic dense and interesting stitch - yet the reality is that I'm a beginner and I'm experimenting rather blindly. It's starting to look like something now and I'm comforting myself by noticing the build up of texture and interest in small areas, with a plan to check each square inch to see if I'm satisfied with it as I keep working on it. I am trusting that I will like the result well enough, even if I cannot yet achieve my visions. We all start somewhere...

Artist Date to Satin Moon Quilt Shop

I thought I might get to experimenting with piecing today, but a book I have on beading called my name and suddenly I was imagining doing a densely stitched, textural beaded piece in a frame. I have a gold frame sitting empty and a good spot on a wall to hang it, so I cut timtex to size and a base of yellow velvet, then added stitching, chiffon, angelina, yarns and thread. It doesn't look like much yet but I will add to it and hope it grows into a lovely bloom like these magnolias. The mandala of fabrics are ones I found at Satin Moon today - what a great store. I had planned to go to a bead shop but ran out of time since there was so much to look at!