Finished it Friday

It's been raining.   It's been pouring.  We haven't had rain since the beginning of August, and even then there wasn't much to write home about.  This week has been dark and cold and windy and wet... day and night.  Thank GOODNESS for the daylight colored LED bulbs my husband put in my studio.  I think without them I would sleep all day with weather like this.

out my kitchen doors...

With the kids in school all day and my classes ready to go, I have been getting so much done.  I have THREE more threadpaintings started.  The photos that have been hanging on my inspiration wall for a year, waiting, are all being drawn up with thread now.  Oh - it feels good!  It feels very easy too since I've been staring at the photos for so long.  Many of them are already sketched out onto paper which makes it all the more simplified.

Jackfish from Day's hill, 2012

That photo for instance... it has been nagging me ever since I took it.  I don't love the barbed wire.  I didn't even know there were little blue flowers in the field until I tweaked the contrast on my computer!  I was quite thrilled.  I sketched it out with pastels this spring and hung it on the wall.  I decided this was it.  It's time.

This is how I start.  I put some colored fabric onto a heavy-duty interfacing.  On the back (since so many of you asked) I stick extra stabilizer because I don't use a hoop.  Square art in a round hoop is just not logical for me.  ; )  The backing stabilizer is Sulky Sticky +.  It's adhesive.  You peel and stick.  It's acid free (***very important for longevity!!!).   I don't need to apply heat to secure it, and I don't need to submerge in water to make it go away.  It's tear away and tears easily, yet it's tough enough that it doesn't fall apart with repeated needle punctures.  I found it quite by accident.  The store that I first taught at was closing out of the sewing end of the business.  I saw this roll on clearance and thought I'd give it a try.  I've been quite happy with it.  I've used up a roll and a half already on just the little threadpaintings I do.  I have learned to add an extra layer at the horizon.  Puckered sky makes me want to cry.

detail - Jackfish Hills, 2013

I stitched and I stitched and I stitched some more.  I started by free motion machine 'threadpainting' and then finish with handstitching.  I added the little blue flowers, more grasses and grass heads all with 12 wt threads by hand.  If you look close, I added some hand dyed 2mm silk ribbons as well.  They make such great grasses with their flat blades.  I love the way it turned out.  I love that I kept going and kept going.  That foreground really came alive.

Hills at Jackfish, 2013

The photo does not show off the sheen of some of the threads.  It's a weird lighting in here today no matter how I set my camera.  There are brass colored rayon threads in the grasses too.  The texture is terrific!  I have some stray threads to clean up and then it's good to go.  *This one is being held for someone FYI.

I have to say Thank You all so very much for the comments on 'Autumn Blonde'!  That's fantastic.  You all sound so thrilled and that gives me so much energy and gusto to jump into the next challenge.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you dear readers!

One last thing - there's only a week left before the big workshop c/o Shirley's Sewing Room in Moosomin!!  Are you coming?  Here's what the plan is:

Day 1 - Threadpainting 
- morning:  brief lecture w samples, set up, practicing with lots of direction / troubleshooting
- lunch
- afternoon: project and doorprizes! followed by sharing/show & tell
- pm: shopping night for us only at Shirley's store.

Day 2 - Creative Quilted Postcards
- morning: introduction, show & tell, themed cardmaking
- lunch
- afternoon : challenge techniques
- show & tell, swap info & display options, farewell.

What Participants need to bring:

- A working sewing machine with accessories (feet, screwdriver, etc) and manual if you have one.  Remember to pack the cords and pedals! 
- A variety of colored threads.  Any type you like.  Any make.  Solid or variegated... just bring a mix.
You will need some thread stash for both days: to practice threadpainting and to stitch your postcard art.
- Scissors.  Bobbins.  Needles.  Pen or pencil would be great if you want to add to the handouts.

*If anyone has a portable light box to bring that would be great!  I have one and Shirley has one, but this is a big class.

Other than that, you have no shopping to do.  Everything else is in the kit fee or provided in the classroom. Are you nervous!?  I am very excited... making a list and checking it twice.  : )