hand embroidery – Page 8

Vigil Scene Part II

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Laura Kate

This is the completed work of the Easter Vigil scene. I know that the subject matter is not for everyone. But I am particularly happy with this fiber object. In the first place, I was able to control the color application in order to get the result I was aiming for. The character of the marble wall in the darkened church is much as I remembered it. The statue has the ghostly quality that matched the atmosphere of the moment. And the rendering of the little dancing candlelight reflections almost capture the way they appeared to me. It would seem not possible to render the shimmering character of the reflections in this media.

I used cotton muslin, candle wax, Jacquard Dye-Na-Flo paint, Pebeo Setacolor opaque paint, hand stitched with cotton and metallic floss, machine quilted.

hand embroidery, quilting, sewing

Fiber Arts Class String Quilt Sampler

Posted on May 4, 2019 by Laura Kate

Dear Fiber Friends,

After five days of baby care and two days of travel, I have insufficient creative energy to start something new. So it’s a good time to finish up the works in progress. Primarily on my mind is the string quilts that my students are working on. It is my practice to have a good example of a finished work for my students, both to inspire and instruct. As I previously posted, I had finished the top. Today I completed the backing, quilting and binding of this sample. Here is the piece squared-off with the backing fitted and pressed. This piece will be self-bound by folding over the backing.

**Wonky perspective is due to my odd camera angle.**

I decided to use as many different (beginner) quilting techniques as possible, so that the students could see the possibilities. The image below shows the piece after quilting is done. I used hand quilting and some machine quilting.

Quilting techniques include knot-quilting, buttons, running stitch, and contour quilting by hand; and stitch-in-the-ditch and parallel lines by machine. And here is the finished sampler with binding blind-stitched. I used folded corners, since I consider mitered corners to be a more advanced technique.

knitting

Mowing around the Luna Moth

Posted on April 27, 2019April 28, 2019 by Laura Kate

The green expanse of our back yard is not the monoculture of grass species typically found in American suburbs. Due to the presence of several mature trees, the grass will not grow thickly. Instead, we have what I call an English lawn. Today it is dark green, dotted with the yellow, lilac and white blooms of English violets, false strawberry, dandelions, oxalis, white clover and tiny bluets. It still requires weekly mowing. But one of the virtues of this diverse ecosystem is the abundance of wildlife. Today I noticed a luna moth clinging to a leaf of fescue. I stopped the mower and went to get Bill, so he could take her picture. The moth held perfectly still. In fact, she simply would not be budged. I carefully rolled the mower around her. After spending nine months as a pupa beneath the soil, this magnificent creature has but seven to ten days to complete her life cycle. If she is lucky, she will attract a mate tonight. They will dally together for a few hours, then she will be off to lay her eggs in a nearby tree top.

I was struck by the strong resemblance of the moth to this little dress I am knitting for the grandbaby. At the end of the first skein I am nearly finished with the skirt.

**Ruffle and all but a few rows of the skirt section complete.**

I have named the project Luna Lou Dress and plan to embroider a moth on the bodice. I will keep you posted on my progress.

hand embroidery

Earth Day 2019

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Laura Kate

Celebrating the 49th anniversary of the first Earth Day. Perhaps if we listened more often and more closely, we would figure out a way to save our planet.

hand embroidery

And on the seventh day….

Posted on April 7, 2019September 22, 2019 by Laura Kate

I strung the flags together and installed them in the garden.

**Prayer Flag project completed 4-07-2019**

This was a good project for me. I was able to try out some new techniques. I was also able to practice hand embroidery, something I hadn’t used since childhood. In preparing each image, I spent time thinking deeply about each element, and how it benefits my life. Figuring out how to represent each element took time and effort, but I enjoyed that part of the project. Here are some closeup photos of the series: