Green is my Dad’s favorite color. Growing up in a green house with green kitchen cabinets and oh yes... that pure green carpet - ugh! It wasn’t that I detested green, I just appreciate the entire rainbow. Funny how some things revisit my life. Our green house exterior is a prelude to several shades of green walls throughout the interior. Even my new studio remodel is now awash in a pale yellowish green paint.
Actually I’m surrounded by green because my favorite outdoor home hobby is gardening with special attention to adding a variety of greenery amidst my flowers. My husbands summer priority is keeping our lawn the lushest green on the street and then we both play on golf greens as often as possible in our spare time ~ depicted with the green grass border fabric.
My quilt subject is dedicated to enjoying God’s green earth whether it is in my garden, on the course or in my mind. I sketched this ornamental vignette with pencil and paper to actual size, then transferred the design using dressmakers carbon to trace the outline directly to my hand-dyed fabric background. I originally intended to embroider the scene in black thread but chose to work the lines and shading entirely with a Pigma MICRON 01 permanent black archival ink pen for the finest detail. It is acid free and my number one choice for writing my quilt labels on fabric.
Embellishments include 1/8th inch satin ribbon, various glass beads and a wire beaded dragonfly I made almost 10 years ago. I wanted to keep the background simple so I used (60 wt.) Madiera clear monofilament for my topstich and smoke colored Madeira monofilament for my bobbin thread which I free-motion quilted around the drawn shapes after the beading. I tacked the dragonfly on last. I think more light contrast would have helped the overall look but I worked with what was on hand. My studio is spread to all corners of the house and garage so this was more of a challenge than I usually encounter to be finished on time.
What a wonderful drawing and using the pigma pen was the perfect way to go. Love the story about Green! So much to see and discover in your little quilt that I want to study all the corners.
ReplyDeleteYour drawing is so delicate and beautiful. The background fabric is perfect and makes everything appear to float and sway in the breeze. The beading adds just the right touch. I love it!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a delicate lovely solution! I just want to keep looking at it. so much detail in it. Great work!
ReplyDeleteThis is truly a work of art! Anyone reading this who has not "clicked to enlarge" go back and do that pronto! What you'll see will take your breath away. I think the photography is just fine, incidentally, though of course I can't judge if the colors are true! But anyway, the quilt is lovely beyond words. And I agree with Lois--I want to keep looking at it. There is so much detail. I'm sure each time I look at it anew, I'll find something else that blows me away!
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is so elegant - totally love the beauty and detail
ReplyDeleteThis is just lovely! An elegant work of art.
ReplyDeleteAlice is correct...if you haven't clicked to enlarge...do return. I discover something new every time I look. Micron Pens and paint can come into help many times. Love the grass and the dragonfly and all the versions of greenery...so exquisite.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece, Judy! I find new things in your close-up every time I look at it. The drawing is just lovely, as is your story. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, serene and elegant ( as others have mentioned ). A true labor of love. Your beaded dragonfly is wonderful, and ( not that I know where he has been "living" for the past ten years ) but he now has the perfect "home"!
ReplyDeleteI just love your piece! So delicate. I like your use of the micron pen. Such fun to use the dragon fly from so many years ago. It's very satisfying to use something like that.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention when we moved into our house 28 years ago every room and rug was a different shade of green(chartreuse and olive together) except one. I can appreciate your wanting the rainbow. We painted everything white. It took me years before I could bring green into the house again.
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