The creative and spiritual journey of a (textile) recycler. . .

I have thought about starting a blog for a long time now. I just couldn’t seem to get started. I thought. . what would I say, what would I do and really . . . . . who would care.

Last year I had the great fortune to witness a ‘happening’. As a spouse at a reunion (I know, groan) I was both an observer and participant. This reunion was attended by some of the most creative and talented people on the face of the planet. Really, no exaggeration! But many were holding onto life long insecurities. They didn’t think they were talented enough and embarrassed to perform in front of each other for fear of . . who knows . . . finger pointing, whispers, laughter, ridicule of some sort for sure. Once it was revealed that many shared the same feelings, the healing began. And I was the lucky one. I got to witness it all and benefit as well.

So, the message is that we all think we are not good enough compared to someone else, but we are. Don’t let your fears and insecurities stop you. We can’t measure our own success by someone else’s talents.

This revelation and the kindness / support of strangers has propelled my creative journey to a place I had given up ever getting to. Tho I thought my creative juices were dried up forever, they have merely been reawakened. Many thanks to all involved in my process, including in-part . . Victoria B, Mrs. W., Charles Mc., Claudia H, Mary B, Cindy G, Sandy B, Traci B., Kat C, and my IAA family. So, thank you. I dedicate this blog to all of you!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Quilt in progress

I get asked all the time how I create a quilt. The answer is that it's always different. It depends on the subject, style, size, mood I want to evoke. . . . and my mood.

Currently I have been itching to recreate a photo I took of a huge metal bird outside of a gallery in northern Michigan. So the following is the work in progress: 

I start by selecting an image, in this case the bird photo. I like to work small but decided to make it a bit bigger, 11 x 17 this time. After selecting a healthy dose of fabric choices from yardage and my all time favorites. . . scraps. . . I threw everything on the bed and settled in to make the piece.

I first pinned the paper pattern at the top to prevent shifting, placed the background colors in the appropriate spaces, then proceeded to cut the large body piece and lay it in place
Then added the second largest body piece to the right of the red
Next the peach colored shading and beak

Now the top of the head and feet

It's starting to take shape. . . but wait. .  I had to change out the beak color. I like this better. I also added the eyes

(what the camera doesn't pick up is that the eyes are sparkly fabric and the top of the head and beak, shimmery)
Oh boy . . . now it's time to paint some shadows and highlights

For recycling at its finest, I'm using a plastic pie carrying thingy to keep the paint bottles organized (?) and to prevent spillage on the bed, plus an old script bottle for the water :) Perfecto!

So the shading has been added under the bird and highlights added to the top of the head, beak, body and legs

I think that'll do it for today. . .  I'll finish him up some time next week. . . .

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