3 Steps Forward, 2 Steps Back: Collage Finished
Before stitching my collage for the American Cancer Society, I decided to cover it with tulle (bridal netting,) to help control all the tiny pieces. The photo below shows me auditioning two colors. I decided on white.
You can see that the white tulle dampens the strong black a little (below.) However, I decided this was acceptable and started stitching.
But, the more I looked at it, the less I liked the now grayer dark tones. (They still look fairly dark in these photos, however.) I wanted the contrast of a very dark background. So, now what?
I got the wacky idea to color the tulle with permanent markers! Could I do so without also coloring the underlying fabric? The answer was no, so I had to use multiple colors and work carefully. The photo below shows the black areas colored.
Now you can see the difference in the black, can’t you?
Well, I continued coloring with markers and finally ended up with this:
(Yes, I colored in between all the little squiggles of the black and tan print!) This is much better, don’t you think?
Next, I stitched the piece, using black thread to accentuate the bud/petal shapes. Then, at the last minute, I decided to go back to my original idea and add some buds at the very top. So, FINALLY, here it is:
I’ve named it Hope Emerging, which I hope is appropriate both for the image and for those dealing with cancer. It’s 10″ x 8″. Here’s a detail shot. (Click on any image for a larger view.)
This little art quilt will be part of the “Have a Heart” (aka Big Names – Big Hearts) tote bag, which will be featured on February 9th. Please check it out here.
Ellen Lindner
