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Here's a close up of that spiral quilting (as you can see it leaves much to be desired) but no sooner did I finish up the background, than I saw an article in Quilting Arts about how to make them. By that time I had already started needle felting my branches, so it was too late to pick out my spirals and begin again.
The other reason - learning to make fiber feathers? I felt was quite successful!
Next week, I'm taking on something new again for another sketch/journal piece - I want to try two new-to-me things: one involving encaustic wax (yup, I'm gonna give it another shot!) and the piece actually involves ::shudder:: hand quilting (!). And you know how I feel about that.
But the experiments are necessary because I have a piece in mind that's beautiful and scary and meaningful - and I before I try working with encaustic wax for that piece, I need to make sure that my idea works!
P.S. Hooking up with Tracy for Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday! Have a great weekend everyone!
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You may think your spirals weren't up to par....hard to tell with the photo....but I can assure you the piece is very successful!
ReplyDeleteHand quilting.....hummm.....I am one of those who loves to hand quilt. The secret is to do it well enough that you are then willing to spend the time to do it. I've been teaching it for years and know that only comes with practice. It's worth learning/understanding the mechanics of the stitch, the rest will come with some seat time and a needle!
Wow! That looks amazing :) I think your spirals look great, and I love the warbler.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
it's fab, kit! big spirals are hard! i can do smaller tighter ones but just can't get the big ones - they always go egg shaped or somehow catawampus :( your tom is gorgeous and the delicacy of the feathers works so well with the strong background. and there's so much energy and movement - count this one a big success!!
ReplyDeleteKit, I LOVE this piece! Wind isn't perfectly circular anyways so your spirals work beautifully. And your bird is just so adorable! Yay for nailing feathers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the note regarding spirals in Quilting Arts. I've wanted to learn how to do them better, but rarely buy magazines or books. I'll definitely go out of my way to find a copy!
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely fabulous!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this :).
ReplyDeleteStay inspired!
If you hadn't mentioned the spirals I wouldn't have noticed. I think it's a wonderful piece. Just lovely. I've never used encaustic wax so I'm interested to see what you will be doing. I personally love hand sewing of any kind. It really is something that takes practice and once you get into the rhythm it gets to be a very relaxing exercise. For me anyway:)
ReplyDeleteWonderful! What a cheery piece, perfect for Spring! Thanks for sharing! As a bird lover, this is one of my "favorites"!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great piece for Spring, Kit -- and yes, I agree that you nailed the feathers! As for your quilting, it looks fine to me (I'm still heavily in 'practice' mode when it comes to free-motion too.) Must look up that QA article...
ReplyDeleteI love this piece! I can just see the wind blowing through his feathers and giving him a good bath - the tilt of the head - its just perfect. I think you did a great job with the swirls. I can't wait to see what comes next!
ReplyDeleteKit, I LOVE it! It is absolutely charming! Well Done!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! I love the movement in the piece. And, you know, little Tom and his cheeky tilted head...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Glad you re-tilted the head as that look really makes this. I think your spirals are fine. Their imperfections (? slightly uneven?) actually add to the whole effect with the bird's questioning/quirky look. I LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how much I love this piece. I think is my favorite thing you have made - at least that I remember. I love that little guy!! BTW, your spirals look OK to me!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful piece, a wind bath is a totally perfect description of Tom captured in the moment.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
Always, Queenie
Mary, my hand quilting leaves much to be desired, but in this case it's going to work with the piece.
ReplyDeleteFaith - thanks - I'm glad I tilted his head too, it really needed it. And thanks re the quilting.
Queenie, thanks, as always for stopping by and leaving a comment. You have a wonderful weekend too!
Spirals with attitude are way better than perfect spirals...........who needs those anyway?
ReplyDeleteI really like the way youve done the branch as well wee the feathery little guy......
It would make a lovely print if you had it copied.......... I could imagine curious Tom on a birthday card or alternative Christmas card even!
I think I like everything about this piece, especially that slightly cocked head! :)
ReplyDeleteJust realized I failed to tell you how much I LOVE your bird - especially that tilted head ;-))
ReplyDeleteOh, I have been meaning to visit---I love this.
ReplyDeleteI think your piece looks great, spirals and all... and your feathered bird is adorable!
ReplyDelete