Le Challenge - SINGLE! Learning to Threadpaint

Oh my gosh, I almost forgot the SINGLE Challenge!
I was aware that LeChallenge was set to coincide with the Cozy Afternoon Blog Hop this month, I tackled my project almost immediately after the theme was announced last month!

One Single Ornament!

I have been trying to make time to learn some art quilting skills this past year, and my own personal goal for Le Challenge has been to incorporate that goal. With this challenge, SINGLE, I tried thread painting! And since this year is turning into what feels like a big Christmas-fest, I started with simple sketches of ornaments, then played with a few fabric markers to put the backgrounds on muslin.

What I really gained with this project is a new appreciation for thread-painting! It takes a long time! And perhaps more practice ;-)

This is my favorite of the three, and the only one I took the time to complete. I used several thread types, sulky, poly, and the metallic.

It think this is my 5th or 6th Christmas finish this year! And I am doing Cozy Afternoon with a Christmas theme as well!

SEW-VIVOR Audition - Red Letter Quilts - Bring it On!

This is Do or Die.

We're talking 'All or Nothing'.

You heard it, I am AWL IN!

AUDITION TIME IS HERE!

I am a Sew-vival Desperado!

My goal?  Round Four or BUST!

I have No Fear! I take No Prisoners!

My Creative Mojo is SET TO IMPRESS!

 

Audition time is NOW for Season3:SEW-VIVOR, hosted by Family Ever After. This year the quilt blogging community is ALL-A-BUZZ with the exciting news:

 Season 3 is The Quilter's Edition!  WOO-HOO!

 

Did I mention that I am willing to take a risk?

Already I am out on a limb! I am entering an Art Quilt of all things - my first one at that!

Now, I am a quilter through-and-through, and I love a challenge. SO, I decided to kick-start this party and get my motor revved!  From the get-go, I aim to go outside my comfort zone..

I began by tracing some old sketches from my journal, then enlarging them on the photo-copier.

Next, I grabbed some linen and made a sample-sandwich to try my hand at thread-painting. I found some YLI variegated thread in my 'leftover' stash. (yes, I have a 'scrap thread' department!)

With the corner of a ruler, I 'scored' just the main lines of the design, right through the paper, onto the linen. Then Mr. Juki and I got right down to stitching with a vengeance.

So much easier than I anticipated, I felt like shouting, "WHY have I never done this before?"

(Or, "Rach, Where have you been all my life?")

Truly motivated, I set to work cutting the various fabric pieces.

I pressed them on for raw-edge applique...

Stitch.

Breathe.

Stitch more.

Breathe easier.

Keep stitching...

This was a really exciting make!

Perle cotton No. 5 seemed appropriate for a simple border.

Regular DMC floss to add the eyes and the orange flowers.

To finish, I wrapped the linen to the back for a simple, hand-stitched 'binding'.

I wrapped the backing fabric (Amy Butler) to the front to finish the top.

Three MOD Birds, 20" x 12"

The tabs are simple tubes top-stitched to match the 'frame', and the striped-tiger-stick was found by my husband in our yard. (shh - it is from a big bush-weed!)

My work is complete and I can rest...  *sigh*

Hard though, since my brain is on anticipation-overdrive. I cannot help but consider some NAUTICAL possibilities for Round ONE! 

 

A note for my faithful followers, for whom I appreciate SEW MUCH:

PLEASE STAND BY!

If I am so fortunate as to be selected for this competition, I will need your help! I cannot count on me, myself, or I alone! I will need support! I hope to astound you with creative-awesomeness and thus, compel you to participate in the voting process at Family Ever After!

 

16 competitors will be selected by judges and their names announced on Mon., July 28th!