Welcome

* * * Canadian Craft Federation / Citizens of Craft.ca Podcast Series! : ) I'm in Episode #4... but you should listen to them all. : ) LISTEN

Friday 31 January 2014

A Big Finish for Friday!

First commission of the year complete!  : )

Overlooking the lake in Autumn - inspired by a photo I took last year as I was on my way home from teaching out of town.


And here's the 'glam shot'...


There was some discussion on my Facebook page about changing thread colors on the machine.  Yes, as a threadpainter, you have to do it a lot.  It's no different than how a painter dips her brush into paints.  It's really not a big deal.  I joke at my friend who says, "I could do what you do but I won't because it means I would have to change the thread!?  Forget it!"  : )  I have to chuckle.  I encouraging my students by telling them that it's certainly not the hardest thing they've ever done!  I giggle that people are so wowed by the changing of the thread.  It's getting the thread in the right spot, doing what you want it to that takes determination and courage.  Whipping a new spool onto the machine is a pretty mindless activity, especial the new machines with the self threader.

off the soap box...

To answer:  Yes, many changes:  eight down one side of the finished edge, sometimes four to five colors in each tree, but if that is what it takes then that's what you do.  I deeply enjoy the process.


My favorite part is the handwork.  There are always things that a machine cannot do.  I love to add single stitches.  The bring things to life.  (Apologies if this is really scary up close!)


Thank you so very much to D. who commissioned this.  Once again, I learned more things about my own technique.  This was good for me.



17 comments:

Nicki said...

It's wonderful, Monika! I'm sure they will treasure it!

Anonymous said...

once again all i can say is that your work is unbelievably good! that first shot is incredible...
enjoy the day!
molly

Autumn said...

I love your work. It is so real, it's hard to imagine it's thread and fabric!

Jeito Mineiro de Ser said...

Bravo! Bravissimo! (Acho que a traduçào é: Grande! Muito grande!)
Escolher os tons certos dos fios e fazer as trocas faz parte da diversão...
Parabéns!
Um abraço!
Bravo! Bravissimo! (I think the translation is: Big Very big!)
Choosing the right colors of the wires and make the exchange part of the fun ...
Congratulations!
Hugs!
Egléa

What Comes Next? said...

gorgeous, as usual. the detail you get is exquisite!

Kathy MacKie said...

Absolutely stunning as ever.

Vicki W said...

Absolutely amazing! You can really feel your excitement and joy in your pieces.

Lin said...

A lovely finish Monika - beautiful. Thread changing? - no problem, well I don't see it anyway. xx

Terri said...

I like what you did to the place! So pretty! You are amazing.
Thanks for sharing your pictures.
Hugs

Threadpainter said...

Stunning work, Monika ! Congrats on this commission … it's just lovely.
Changing spools and bobbins comes with the territory … I know someone who starts her sewing day (big works of art) by winding 50 bobbins !

Giddings Art said...

Your work amazes me. Just Beautiful!

Jane K said...

I love it!

HollyM said...

This is a beautiful piece, one of my favourites! I'm quite taken with how you captured the perspective in the receding, ( faded) colors of the background. My problem is that I can't buy thread locally do I'm often frustrated that I don't have the right shade. You helped a lot by the way.
When I next travel , I've got to tote my stash and stock up.

Poppyprint said...

It's gorgeous!!

grannydo4me said...

Wow does that bring back memories, we lived at Blackstrap for about 6 years and you have outdone yourself with that amazing piece! I love the little touch of sparkly blue on the water's edge. Just gorgeous! I can't wait to get back to Saskatoon to see some of your work up close!

Kleep said...

That is just stunning!!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Found it! It has so much life and depth and light in it. Magnificent work Monika.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

* * * Here are some of the most viewed blog posts this month * * *