October 21, 2007 - The process of change....
A few health issues have taken centre stage in our family lately, and one of the minor ones has caused me to rethink my creativity. I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in the pointer finger of my right hand...not a helpful diagnosis for a right handed embroiderer/quilter. I do lots of applique - something I have been drawn to for a while now - but the stress on the joints of the affected finger by the pressure of pushing a needle and thread through 2 or 3 layers of Vliesoflixed fabric has taken a toll. After my intitial night of despair I realised I just needed to turn my hands to something gentler. Hence my new foray into wool felt.
It began with a photograph in a magazine...
Being a lover of vibrant colours and camels, this sparked an idea. I made a black and white copy of the photograph, higlighted the main lines, the traced that onto some beige marbled cotton. With iron-on Pellon the fabric was still very soft and pliable...lovely to work on. I let my imagination take me out of the photo and used colours I thought would work well with the final plan I had in mind.
After finishing the initial embroidery I gave the camel and the driver some deeper definition with colour pencils...
Once this was done I began my 'freelance' journey with the red wool-felt borders. Using Perle 8 cottons I began to work around the felt...I had NO plan for this, I just did what came to mind as I went along. The felt was incredibly lovely to embroider and my finger managed quite easily as long as I took breaks every few hours. It may not look like it but this entire cushion took me about 40 hours of sewing time. The end result was a surprise - I realised that this would be the beginning of a whole new dimension to my sewing style!
I'd love to hear what you think of it! :-) Ta Da!!!....................
Comments
October 21, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Michelle32
I love your creations!
My daughter would go "ape" over that camel!
Michelle32
October 21, 2007 - Amazing
Posted by jcomaris1
Your work is amazing, and you have quite a talent. The picture reminds me of when we lived in North Africa for a time when I was a child. I'm glad you have found a new direction to go that will not bother the arthritis so much.
October 22, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Robin
Beautiful. You are so creative!
October 22, 2007 - Pillow
Posted by Donna G
I LOVE it!
What a masterpiece!
October 22, 2007 - camel cushion
Posted by Kareen
You have amazing talent!
Such beautiful work.
October 27, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by teaching2sons
Wow, you are very talented! What a wonderful gift the Lord has given you. :-)
November 8, 2007 - uh WOW!
Posted by Jaimers
What a beautiful creation. You are very talented!
Jaimers
November 24, 2007 - Oh my!!
Posted by Anonymous
Jennifer, your cotton and fabric is to you, what a canvas and paints are to a talented artist! You have an incredible gift! I love your work... and I love your camel pillows.
God Bless you,
Amanda
