Monday 7 February 2011

Can't even think of a title for this post.

What a long time its been since I blogged.
The main reason is that I couldn't get a decent photograph of the piece I wanted to show.
Here it is now..the best I can do in more ways than one.



Its about 10 inches high.
I've had it out ready to photograph for days now and every time the cat got near it I moved it, until this morning when I found him perched precariously on the back of a chair fast asleep..on top if it. So that big crease down the centre is a result of his 'ironing ' it with his one-stone bulk.

Now the history of this piece is this: I HAD to make myself do some sewing so I got a piece of my felt from a previous post and stitched some motifs onto it, using the different coloured shapes as a guide. It was a battle I can tell you.
But the final piece was far too busy and confusing . The background colours were too busy, and you couldn't see the stitched parts.

So after a discussion at the felt group (I do love them all) I had a go at using the embellisher to force the white felt on the back through to the front to soften the spaces between, but it didn't work.
( I didn't take any pictures of it at this stage.)
I had made some felt at the felt group meeting using some softly space dyed wool tops given to me by Lesley, and I rather liked the result so I cut the motifs out of the patterned felt, and stitched them onto the softer allover  coloured felt.

I prefer this background, but the effect of cutting thick felt is a little unsatisfactory in this instance. The wispiness of the edges disappear, but other things appear I suppose. Its a bit lumpy.


I did a bit of hand stitching inspired by Jude. I like that.


 This exercise poses a few questions.
Gives me  a few headaches. I need to be more in control of the shapes I lay down on a plainer background so that they will show up when I've stitched on them. So I need to have a clearer picture of the finished piece even while I'm making the felt.
Must try harder.
I'm still reluctant to commit myself to sewing which is tough because I am supposed to be exhibiting with a group in May.
Lost my way.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments since the last post. I feel so grateful and sad I can't answer some because I can't find you . The latest of these is 'bea'. Thank you bea.

In other news: it was my husbands Birthday over a week ago on a saturday . We were going out with family on Sunday so on his birthday we just had a little trip to Staveley near Kendal, Cumbria, where we had a walk by the river in lovely frosty sunshine,
Along the way we saw a beautiful house almost all one end is glass..what a spot to live.
 Further on we saw signs saying 'Save(whatever it was) weir.'.this one. I don't know any details, but I can only imagine the floods if this wasn't here.

Then we finished our outing with a coffee at Wilfs, a cafe in Mill Yard . We read papers and patted dogs..so civilised , they allow dogs and walking boots in.
Then we had a look round Mill Yard and saw one of our favourite kinds of building!
Patchwork corrugated iron.
Wonderful.

62 comments:

Joei Rhode Island said...

Wonderful to see you back and working. I personally love the texture on this piece....NOT too bumpy. Felt Felt Woooonderfuuuul Felt (Think Turtle Soup Song).

Sue said...

Well I think this is one of the nicest things you have done. I love the colours and the slightly dreamy feel :-)

Our trip to Portugal is this week... guess what the weather forecast is... hail and thunder!

Mary Welsh Hubbard said...

I was just thinking about you over the weekend - wondering how you are feeling. Love this new piece. It's beautiful.

Gina said...

Don't be too hard on yourself Jackie. There are beautiful colours and textures in this piece and even with looming deadlines we sometimes have to work through ideas in fabric and stitch to find what works for us... I'm speaking from experience!

jude said...

beautiful...:-)

ju-north said...

Was just thinking about you today! Your work is as always great - don't be too hard on yourself! If I could do this I'd be thrilled!

jeanette, mistress of longears said...

It's so great to be able to follow your progress and thinking! I myself could have stopped at any of the stages and patted myself on the back for a job well done....but that's what makes YOU outstanding! Please continue to update us on your journey!

chocolatefrog said...

Full of beautiful colours, textures and marks (love the auto pattern). I think it'd be a pity to control the felting too much - leave room for the magic of the unexpected!

Christine said...

I wish I had your eye for colour.The piece has such a soothing feel to it. I know how easy it is to "over-judge" yourself - but you really shouldn't!

Rachel said...

Having read your post, I think I can understand why you feel dissatisfied, although I find it hard to agree with you. My only comment is that perhaps the spacing of the motifs was a little close?

Good to see you sewing again, though!

Sharon said...

I really love the textures and colours. It's very pretty!

silverpebble said...

Absolutely stunning - I love the new details and touches and slightly new style for your leaf motifs. They're slightly swirly, as though they're blowing in the wind. It makes me think of belle epoque designs and I think it's a huge success. The colour scheme is to die for.

Chris Gray said...

Glad you're feeling better enough to stitch and post!

i love the piece...lumps and all!

Take care...

x Chris

Patty Biermans said...

I'm glad you are able to make beautiful stitching again. Thankx for sharing. Hugzz....Peebee

chocolatefrog said...

Oops, the little triangles were stitched with pure skill, not an auto machine pattern - sorry Jackie!

luciebeebee said...

Want to join your cat on this awesome flower bed. Can't think of a better place to sleep: I love it!

artymess said...

Your work is wonderful ...stop being too hard on yourself ....you will get back into it try not to force it ....it will come naturally ....and there's loads of time ....so good to see you creating again ....xx

Heather said...

Lovely to hear from you again Jackie. Your felt piece is gorgeous. I love the gentle dreamy colours and contours, and the hand stitching really sets everything off to perfection. The images from Cumbria are beautiful - what a wonderful part of the country it is and the perfect location for a birthday treat.

Radka said...

I love all the shades you use!
Thank you for sharing your pictures with us too.:))

Twiglet said...

I can only echo other comments - your work is lovely - enjoy experimenting and "going with the flow". I think that way you will come up with something totally different and exciting - just because you dared to step outside your comfort zone.

Aileen Clarke Crafts said...

Such a beautiful piece Jackie. I love the movement and the motifs look like they are reaching and swirling in a dance rather than being static. Really effective. I think the background you ended up using works really well too : )

Lynette (NZ) said...

Always enjoy seeing your work. The colours are divine, and I love the hand stitched details too. Great photos at the end - especially that inspirational shed :-)

Els said...

Glad you're here Jackie !
You had a really tough start with this piece as it seems, but you came trough !!! Most of the time just the difficulties give you a clearer view of what to do ...
(and cats? : the more you say DON'T ...the more they think: well why not !! (Lovely crease ;-) )
And go easy !!!!

Kim said...

really enjoyed your post mate.

Woo Gilchrist said...

Lovely work, beautiful!

Ro Bruhn said...

This piece is beautiful, I love the texture and your colours, as ever, are a wonderful combination. Glad to see you creating again.

menopausalmusing said...

Lovely work.......... but I especially love the corrugated shed...... is it alright to say that? It is a beauty!

Sandy said...

It paid to keep at it. The piece is so rich and wonderful.

Jan said...

I can't feel the texture but this piece looks fabulous to my eye.

ferinn said...

How about "embossed"? This has a lovely feel to it , the colours are beautiful.Just go with the flow for a bit and don't try to force anything,you'll win through.

Jill said...

Lovely work, sometimes it is just good to do something for its own sake! Love the nubbly texture. So good to see you stitching.

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Your piece is absolutely gorgeous Jackie and I'm sure it will lead to many inspired pieces when you are ready and the time is right. You have been in my thoughts

ps. I'm having a little giveaway on my blog giving away one of my hearts for valentine's day and would love you to enter. Best wishes, Carolyn x

Yvonne Moxon said...

It's been a journey, I can tell as you talk about this piece it has not been easy but very worthwhile and you will grow to love it...theres a lot of feeling in this...Its a beautiful piece Jackie.

Whitney-Anne Baker said...

Lumpy bits are good, it's felt after all. I don't know about control with ones work . . that can backfire on you . . the best things I've ever done have been when I stopped controlling though I understand your dilemma totally.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Hi Jackie
I am so glad that your spirits are lifting.

I don't know anything about felting, but your piece is stunning. I always enjoy seeing your work.
xx, Carol

Tricks said...

Hi Jackie
Looking at the previous felt/motif piece that you stitched I must say I preferred it. I think it is because there are more colour variations and contrasts in the former piece of work. I'm sure that's all it is. There is nothing wrong with the work itself.
I often go back and add something else if I am not happy with something and it usually works better then Have you though of embellishing some silk waste or threads into the felt to add contrast. If you don't like it it's pretty easy to remove in my experience. I just think you need a contrasting colour that's all. Other than that I love the mixture of velvet on felt. Brilliant mix. Keep going Best Wishes Tricia x

simmo said...

It's so good to have you back, I love your posts and your work is eye candy, everything you produce looks wonderful to me, such an inspiration, so glad your back:)

Pat Riesenburger said...

You are certainly much harder on yourself than this mere mortal. Your work never fails to make me smile. We all bump into artistic walls! A mentor once told me to "always go where inspiration takes you" and I have found it to be wise counsel---even if inspiration takes me to the couch for a glass of wine and trash tv. Sometimes it helps to forget about creative things for awhile. Performance anxiety makes for a flacid muse!

Anonymous said...

just read your last several posts -- quite a journey you've been on! I think it is powerfully right that after a dark time you come to your work as a beginner, in a way... unsure, trying new things, asking questions.

Thimble Fingers said...

I can still see hints of humour in your troubled mind, and its good to know you are still in there somewhere, and especially to know you are working your way through.
As soon as I saw this new piece I felt very tranquil and relaxed. It immediately made me think of sea urchins and jellyfish floating in water ... very soothing. I love it. Don't be so critical, just because its a bit different to your usual style doesn't mean its no good ... its simply a new development in your creations and could be the healing process you need. Take care.

ilaria lotti said...

I find your creations simply beautiful! don'te be so critical with you, each work shows to us your inner emotions, that are simply marvellous! Take care. Ilaria

Locket Pocket said...

Your piece of work is beautiful - I love the textures and detail. Lucy xx

jennyflowerblue said...

Was just teetering on the brink of contacting you. So nice to see that you have been out and about and Stitching- I really like the soft edges, it is a more tentative piece, I wonder if this reflects your inner state. Anyway, I like it, rather a lot! xxx

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Glad to see you've been doing some stitching again. Don't rush yourself and just enjoy the process.

Victoria said...

Good to see you back, and the work is lovely! Try not to put pressure on yourself, (I struggle with this, and I know it's an absolute killer to my creativity). Keep doing what feels right in the moment, with no judgement. Also, that patchwork building is terrific looking to me!

Rosie said...

I know each of us is our own severest critic, but I can see nothing wrong here at all. Misty colours and beautiful shapes - what's not to like? Be gentle on yourself as you work through this stage in your life ...

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Hi Jackie,
So glad to see you are back and starting to stitch again.
Thinking of you.
M x

Anonymous said...

So glad to see you back,what a beautiful "bumpy" piece.

Emma said...

Who needs a title? Love the movement in this piece & don't mind the lumps & bumps at all ;)Beautiful shed door!

Sarah Anderson said...

I saw this photo on someone else's bloglists (think it was vintiquities) and I just HaD to come over and see! And what beautiful, beautiful work met my eyes! I just love the texture in this, the colours, the contrast of the motif against the plainer background. Just absolutely STuNNiNG! Now off to get a cup of tea and settle down to read and drool some more :)

Unknown said...

Hi, was checking out a few of my old posts and noticed you left a comment. Thank you!

Your work is stunning and very, very beautiful. I find it very refreshing!

I like your pics of Stavely, I live not too far away. Also no more Agricultural shows for me- my work is now in galleries, YAY!

Anji* said...

The colours on that piece are gorgeous, and I love the hand stitched details.

Glad to see you back :)

Maggi said...

Just love the patchwork corrugated iron. I like the way you are working at the moment (even with the cat' ironing!) there is a kind of ethereal quality to the motifs where they are less clearly defined.

Dot said...

I love the texture of this piece. Have enlarged each picture to look at the details several times. Your work is always beautiful Jackie (as are you).
You are in my thoughts often and I am sending lots of love your way.
Dot xx
P.S What you do with color always inspires me and leaves me happy :)

Hanni said...

I just discovered your beautiful blog,I love the color and technique on your felted piece, just wonderful.

A time to dance said...

It's beautiful jackie, like wisps of foam on the sea...all my favourite colours...hope you are well and healing...love and blessings H

Robin Olsen said...

Very beautiful! They remind me of pods opening up.

NEEDLEWINGS said...

Awesome work! I love it!

Kim said...

What a WONDERFUL piece! I always am learning, always. I hope never to stop, but it can be a pain sometimes. This is truly a beautiful piece, it just makes me feel very warm and comfortable, cozy. Velvet and wool, of course, but your touch is the magic that binds.

Bea said...

Thank you for posting this lovely work - the colours are gorgeous. I love the patchwork barn too.

Mermaid's Purse said...

I have a habit of merging things together (even when they shouldn't be!) and love this piece ......... it's really pretty!

gunnelsvensson said...

these are wonderful! Love the texture and colours!



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