I found the theme of neighbor difficult. The obvious thoughts are the houses where you live. I kept trying to think of the theme differently. We live on a quiet street in a farm town. One of my favorite things is to have bird feeders and bird houses around the yard. I love watching the birds. One day I was outside and this little bird appeared on my front step. He was so cute and I have no idea of where he came from. He just hopped about. I took a photograph of him and think about him from time to time. I decided this would be the perfect quilt for neighbor. Neighbors do drop in to say hello or borrow a cup of sugar. :)
I had taken a fabric painting class several years ago from Mickey Lawler. One of the exercises was to create bricks. I dug that sample out and it was perfect. Now to create my friend. I used fake fur for the white and fleece for the grey to create his texture. I then machine stitched his feathers. I also used the traputo technique to give him some body. I sewed beads for his eyes. Below is a detail.
What a great little bird! I think your bricks are really appropriate too.
ReplyDeleteLovely!! the bricks are just great!
ReplyDeletePerfect. I love the perspective that you chose to depict your little neighbor and he is absolutely adorable...I can almost hear him chirping!
ReplyDeleteTricia, your quilt is enchanting ! Your narrative is so calm and serene that I was imagining I was there watching the bird with you. The brick fabric you created is the perfect background (also very calming), and the bird is precious. Your use of specialty fabrics to create the bird feathers was inspirational !
ReplyDeleteI also love to watch birds. The section of my studio where I do my quiet work is known as "The Nest" and it has a large window that looks out over our yard and some of our patio plants. Several birds have nested in our trees, hummingbirds buzz around our feeders, and its just an enchanting place to be.
Thank you for sharing your story with all of us !
So sweet! Love the bird!
ReplyDeleteKathy used a wonderful adjective--enchanting! So true! Your quilt and Rita's are lovely companions, and I'll bet that Randy pairs them in the composite! I am out of town, on a borrowed computer, and not as comfortable as I am at home on mine, but suffice it to say--I loved your quilt!
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe those bricks were in a class! That fabric is so professionally done. Love the angled perspective too. Pretty little bird looks right at home! Thanks for sharing your expertise. Love this little quilt!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely little companion. I love the way you used specialty fabric and trapunto to make the bird a true focal point. But, I am also very taken with the bricks. They are really special.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful interpretation of "neighbor," Tricia. The other day, I opened my door to find a male and female mallard on my front porch! I can relate to your visit by this little neighbor. Your work on the bricks and the little bird are spectacular!
ReplyDeleteEver wonder what they think when they look up at us? This is wonderful, your bird almost looks 3D. Beautiful quilt.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh,,,,,,,,,,,The little bird is precious. Our little feathered friends make very special neighbors and like Carolyn's Mrs. P the birds probably have a name for me as I watch their comings and goings with much interest. Wonderful quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love your interpretation of the theme and hope I can see this one in person - the bird sounds so textural and I am intrigued by the brick painting process
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