+2013+Kit+Lang.jpg)
Ta dah! Here's the finished textile collage :)
As you can see, there have been some changes since Wednesday - check 'em out, after the jump!
When I originally got this cardinal's background ready to fuse - there was a problem, and it was of my own making.
Usually when I make one of these fabric birds, I make it slightly bigger than I need and than I trim it to fit. I blocked it after the initial background quilting, and then thought that because I wanted the branch to go nearly to the edge, I might as well trim it to fit right away before I added the branch.
Swing and a miss!
After I added the hand stitching and fixed the fold (see Monday's post for what I'm talking about); the edges pulled up. Dag nab it!
Soooooo, I had to pull some more of the backing fabric, add a bit on the bottom, quilt it, and get back to business.
Except, once I did that - I realized there was another problem - it looked imbalanced. Although the reference photo (which I don't have permission to post here), only had the single branch in the frame - for some reason I thought the cardinal was too "in your face".
Nothing for it, but to make another branch.
+2012+Kit+Lang.jpg)
So, beginning on Monday - you're going to work through a complex piece with me from beginning to end.
Hope you have a good weekend!
P.S. - Joining in the fun at Off The Wall Fridays! and at Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday through Made in Home and Show Off Fridays at a Pieceful Home.
Posts
That is sooo cool! My grandmother loved Cardinals, and this reminds me so much of her! :) Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI like the subtle paint on the feathers. And the final piece looks balanced.
ReplyDeleteLove the progression. This sort of thing happens to me too often too! But I do think the extra branch really works. Perhaps the original was cropped rather tightly to show off the bird. With yours, rather than a bird on the end of a branch, you give more of the story because that sort of tree has full branches.
ReplyDeleteWell done,
Sandy in the UK
The second branch balanced it nicely!
ReplyDeleteAnother beauty and what a way to make it work. The feathers are very realistic! Love it Kit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story of "how to fix a mishap". And your Cardinal is just lovely! I almost expect it to leave its branch and fly off ;-))
ReplyDeleteIs it paint on the beak as well? It is lovely, the shading adds to the whole effect.
ReplyDeleteOh My Gosh!!! He is absolutely glorious! And you know what - the second branch balances it perfectly and the addition down below looks like a purposely-made suggestion of the horizon. It's a wonderfully serendipitous "mistake" :D
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Do you paint the bird on something first, then cut him out? What do you use for this? Did you paint the snow directly on the branches? Are tree needles painted or thread or fabric? I really love your techniques. Thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, I just looked and saw you are showing the process and answering my ?'s in earlier posts. I'm off to read them now - thanks
ReplyDeleteLovely 'fix', Kit -- and another handsome fellow. Now I'm wonderin'...I know that female birdies are generally dowdier; the males are flamboyant because they need the flash and sizzle to attract the ladies. But I'm wondering if you might find a way to represent a female birdie, with your feathery talent? :-) Just a thought...or maybe a challenge! ;-)
ReplyDeleteTo the no-reply bloggers:
ReplyDeleteCarol, thanks very much!
Marti - yes that's paint on the beak as well.
Gorgeous! That second branch really makes it whole! Very nice!!
ReplyDeleteOutstanding, and to chime in with Margaret, just a bit of a challenge to find the right colors for the female. I have feeders about ten or twelve feet from my computer room window, and it's hard to tell what color those ladies are sometimes. Greenish? Tannish? Dirty chartruese(ish)? I love looking at your work.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed seeing all your birds! Wonderful series.
ReplyDeleteI love the second branch (composition wise) so serendipity that you had to add on the extra fabric. I'm really worried that the quilt I'm working on now is shrinking in the quilting, and it's supposed to be a certain size. Definitely should have started out with the background bigger!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing you develop this series. Cardinals are the state bird for West Virginia and I love their bright red. We have a couple that live out back during the summer. Your cardinal is striking and as someone said, looks as if he is ready to lift off that baranch. Lovely composition.
ReplyDeleteOh, Kit, it's fantastic! Everything about it is WOW!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Dee! :)
ReplyDeleteLike myself, I see you are a woman all about the details. This cardinal sure has attitude, and his face shows. Looking good.
ReplyDeleteCardinal Class! hes smashing Kit
ReplyDeleteWow. I can't find words right now. Wow. I knew my piecing pixels and rather simplistic geometric forms was merely a chore and not art but wow!
ReplyDeleteNice job...hard to get through this time of year WITHOUT doing a cardinal, isn't it? They are just such glorious birds against the snow.
ReplyDeletesimply stunning! he really is fantastic :)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHe came out wonderful. We don't get cardinals in our area, seeing this makes me wish we did.
ReplyDeleteyour best bird yet!
ReplyDeleteAnother puffed up male (smile). I actually think the extra branch adds a lot of balance to the piece and I love the combo of fabric and stitch on the needles.
ReplyDeleteVery clear explanation of your process with really impressive results. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour cardinal is beautiful. Mary Ann
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece, I love the way you made the cardinal!
ReplyDelete