Thursday, October 15, 2015

Nedra's Circle - Celestial Orbs


Inspired by Jane's painting demo in Nantucket, I decided I wanted to paint fabric for the next challenge.  I packed all of my painting supplies, as well as a few former painted fabric pieces I had attempted, for the trip to Maine for the summer.  I painted several pieces of fabric using solo cups, paint bottle caps and brushes as my tools, varying colors and designs.  When I was done, I liked one of the previously painted pieces of fabric I had brought because of its subtler colors and shapes so I went with it.  I believe I had actually painted this piece of fabric with Andrea several years ago in her studio.  But how perfect, the circles were just what I needed for this theme.

I cut out the random shape from the painted piece and stitched it to my background fabric.  I appliqued a few circles from commercial fabric to add contrast.  Machine stitching was used to emphasize some of the circles.  Regular and metallic DMC floss was used to add more contrast and texture to the design.  "Bows" made from fabric scraps and beads were added and tuille was placed over the background piece to add just a bit more contrast.  When completed, the piece reminded me of planets, moons and other celestial orbs as well as shooting stars and meteors, thus the name.  I LOVED this theme.  It is wrapped around an 11" X 14" canvas frame.

14 comments:

  1. Nedra... This is Great ! And I think you accomplished your mission (to re-use, recycle, and to illustrate) perfectly ! How fun that fab you painted with Andrea became the background for this piece :-D Also great that you combined machine and hand stitching to give your design additional texture. Beautiful piece !

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  2. You and I were on the same page! So fun!
    Lovely, just lovely!

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    1. Kinda, sorta on the same page.I have to learn to use the negative space more artistically.

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  3. Just incredibly beautiful, Nedra! The colors, the stitching, everything, truly lovely. This theme is bringing out the best in everyone!

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    1. Once I had "clicked to enlarge," I saw how totally gorgeous is the hand stitching on this quilt! Great job, Nedra!

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  4. So soothing and interesting! The handstitching looks like it was fun to do and I love the colors you used.

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  5. I love your colors and hand stitching.

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  6. The hand stitching is wonderful. Great theme interpretation

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  7. The first word that came to mind was pretty! The lovely colors and the wonderful stitching all work together to make a truly lovely composition.

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  8. Nedra, I LOVE that you used so many of the techniques we learned in Nantucket! These colors are so soothing and peaceful - just like looking at the orbs in space! And the hand-stitching adds so much texture. Gorgeous!

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  9. This looks like you really had a good time playing & creating your quilt. Love the colors, but when enlarged could see all the other wonderful details which I enjoyed lingering over. So pleased that you enjoyed this theme!

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