Category Archives: isolation challenge

Stitching Inn

One good thing about being pretty much in isolation is getting some things made that are not especially fun but necessary. I’ve been stitching more masks, fabric covers for KN95 masks, and a rice filled warmer for our cat’s “IV” type fluid bag.

Now the more creative side – I have been embroidering a bit on a new piece, if you follow me on Instagram you may have seen it. I started it by painting fabric to make an abstract background. I stitched a lot of white floss and then spent two hours tearing it out because it just wasn’t working. I do like the little bit of white left around the petal edge. I guess there may be an advantage to purchasing a kit with instructions and floss, but I obviously prefer a challenge.

hand embroidered wip.

I also started a hand applique mini-mini landscape (approximately 7″ x 8.5″) using a leftover piece of my painted sky fabric. It was actually only going to be 6″ tall but had I squared the piece up I would have cut off too much of the small boulders (which are about half a dime size)… So, enter grassy meadow. I like it much better but I’ll still be adding borders.

In keeping with hanging out at home and working on a variety of little projects here is a short video of my 30 days of stitching in November 2020. I hope you enjoy it and thanks for watching.

https://youtu.be/ujulnVE_a3M

Picking up the Pieces

For a moment there my design work table was cleaned off, but no more.

Making cards and masks just seems to generate more scraps. I have been able to share small pieces of fabric with a few other people and that feels good – To move it out while giving to someone who may have no other way to get fabric right now.

Because I primarily work small I don’t have many long yards of fabric but I have a lot in smaller pieces. In fact I didn’t realize how much until I started picking pieces for friends.

Speaking of pieces here are my sample/suggestion pieces for the Visions Art Museum member challenge week three. My theme: Special Delivery, you are the chef, what would you plate up?

I made one piece in fabric and the other in paper. If I ever make paper collage again I’ll be cutting the pieces with scissors. I did discover if I use a cotton swab to dampen the paper it tears much easier, but still I think cutting would be more fun and would for sure be easier on the fingers.

Using pieces from magazines was much more limiting (and challenging!) for me than fabric. That’s one reason the plate in the paper collage is made from my – fabric painting mop-up paper towels; much easier to tear.

I had to let go of the shadows and light not being quite right… It’s not a master piece, it’s just for fun and I hope encouraging for the participants. I’m pretty happy with the results.

I hope you are staying safe and healthy. From a distance – thanks for stopping by.