Where Ideas Come From (New Hand Project)

Posted on June 24, 2010, 11:47 am, by ellen, under Uncategorized.

While waiting for a shopping opportunity, I put my mixed media book aside, and started on something VERY different (for me.)  My new project is the result of several fairly diverse ideas.

It all started with my admiration for a friend’s beautiful hand embroidered piece.  Although I loved it, I certainly had NO plans to tackle anything similar.

Click any image for a larger view.detail 2

– Meanwhile, I was busy working on snapdragons for my Flower Wagon Challenge.

snapdragons-cropped-layered

Next, my friend, Martha, sent me a wonderful care package.  It included all the supplies needed for hand stitching, including linen, as well as floss and beads in the colors of my snapdragons.

Since I had some time on my hands (and now the needed supplies) I enthusiasticaly began to plan a hand stitching project.  However, I had some beautiful perle cotton threads in colors of gold, tan, and rust, so I decided to use them as my palette, rather than repeating the floral colors. 

Finally, my fiber art group announced a project involving the theme of movement.  I thought that was perfect for an abstract subject.  A beautiful undulating line and lots of texture should do the trick!

So, now I’m off in this new direction.  First things first:  change the color of linen.  I did this by painting it.  Since I used artist acrylic paints, this had the added advantage of stiffening the fabric.  So, I won’t need to use a hoop.

I bought some fantastic beads and I’m ready to start!  Gorgeous colors right?

Beads +

Soon, I’ll show you my early results.

Ellen Lindner
P.S.  I’m enjoying hand stitching, since it’s a slow and meditative process.  A good activity when your husband selects the TV show!

Tags: , ,

2 Comments

  1. Elaine says:
    June 25, 2010 at 7:05 pm

    Hi Ellen, Slow Cloth does not refer to handstitching. A few people have spread that misconception, but I created the term and the concept – you can read about it on my blog or visit the Facebook group I created at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=269539431110, and read about the principles of Slow Cloth. It’s not a project or a technique; it’s a framework for working with textiles using any technique. Thanks! Elaine Lipson

  2. ellen says:
    June 25, 2010 at 10:54 pm

    Thanks for the correction, Elaine. I look forward to perusing your blog and learning more about your term.

«
»