I've lost track of how many I've made since then, but suffice it to say it's been a few dozen...and I'm currently making another few pieces for a local gift/antiques/collectibles shop that has agreed to take a chance on me.
Today I finished the one I had under construction earlier in the week. Clearly the original, nearly-finished version needed something -- and I didn't think my machine could do it so I turned to hand stitch. This took several hours. I blended two strands of DMC floss in two different colours to get the effect I wanted. Then, once the 'branches' (or twigs) were in place, I could see that the impression of bush needed to appear in the background and again, I knew my machine couldn't do it; I had to do it by hand. This is the result:
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| Wishing Pond - (C) 2014 |
I have one more piece in the "nearly-finished" position -- "Winter Dinette". It emulates "January Afternoon" from last year -- but has berries on the trees for a pop of red. I marked the 'pops' out with red marker and then realized...no. Tiny beads were needed...and so I have begun:
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| Winter Dinette - WIP (2014) |
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| Winter Dinette - Detail (2014) |
I began to wonder if I was taking too much time over these pieces, which will sell for no more than $35 retail, and of that, there will be commission to pay...
And so I went for a jog to clear my head and relax my body -- and I listened to a podcast -- "Writer's Almanac" with Garrison Keillor. In the entry for October 28, Mr. Keillor read this poem...
I Love all Beauteous Things*
I love all beauteous things,
I seek and adore them;
God hath no better praise,
And man in his hasty days
Is honoured for them.
I too will something make
And joy in the making;
Altho’ to-morrow it seem
Like the empty words of a dream
Remembered on waking.
..and I knew I was doing the right thing by taking time and attending to details. It's all about the process, eh? :-)
P. S. Linking to Off the Wall Friday over at Nina-Marie's, because it's been too long since I've done so. See you!
5 comments:
You are indeed doing the right thing! :)
Beautiful work, cheers
Both pieces are lovely. I have been thinking about working smaller too lately, often the detail in the smaller pieces is essential
First of all - welcome back! Secondly - I've been struggling lately with making small art. I think its a fabulous idea - you can sell it affordable, the gratification of completion is quicker and you can try out new ideas and techniques in a timely manner. I love love where this bitsy is going!
Margaret, thank you for that lovely poem. I am a strong believer in doing the art - rather than worrying too much about what happens to it after. We who work in textiles do it for the love of it and for how it makes us feel.
Healed.
be well. I have enjoyed my visit to your blog.
xx
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