Saturday, January 26, 2008

TIF January - All Finished!


This could be titled "an exercise in French Knots" - or "futility." I remember a needlepoint shop owner about 25 years ago chortling in glee over the fact that I cannot make nice French Knots - and if I achieve one, it usually falls out. I have studied and examined the best - watched fine tutorials, and taken advice from experts - but it just doesn't happen. Anyway - it seemed to me that French Knots were the thing for embellishing this piece, as I didn' want to use a lot of petaled silk ribbon flowers, due to the sophistication of Sharon B.'s color choices. My goal with this was to do the surface embroidery without losing the character of the work, but making it interesting and pretty. The little pink/orange flowers were added at the end, (Thread Gatherer silk ribbon overdyed) as it really really needed that bit of color to jazz it up. I never pre-plan the embroidery part of these pieces in needlepoint, as I have learned from experience that it doesn't work anyway - so I just start out by taking a deep breath, threading my needle, and getting started somewhere with a vague idea of what I want - and the rest just happens. It's kind of like painting free form, as I can add and subtract as needed - and one area done seems to suggest the next. Lots of fun and very creative - but kind of scary at times, as I'm never sure how it will turn out. I may take this out of the box in a few days, and decide it needs a little something else. Anyway, I really enjoyed this challenge, and look forward to the next one. When Inge returns from Sweden next month, I will send this off to Dallas to her to have it made into a zippered moire' jewel case as a very special gift for a good friend who keeps me inspired and encouraged and motivated.

16 comments:

MargB said...

this is truly lovely - I have been watching your needlepoint with interest and am delighted to see how well it turned out

Kate said...

I just love how you incorporate crazy quilting into needlepoint. Great piece.

Jude said...

I love this concept! Like Kate and Margb I love the way you've combined the needlepoint and the crazy quilting. Needlepoint is one of my favourite activities, and this piece of yours is so inspiring........Must go and do some more work on my TIF project....

Paula Hewitt said...

This is beautiful. I have just started a sampler to learn it - so I am interested in seeing examples - I never would have thought of this exciting adaptation! Congrats on such beautiful work

NCPat said...

This is wonderful! I love it, and the orange flowers set it off!

Mary Corbet said...

Gorgeous!! I love the white ribbon flowers! They remind me of lilies of the valley.

The whole piece is really pretty - not overdone, and each element compliments the next.

I really like the addition of the coral colored flowers, too. Nice accent.

Congrats on finishing yours! (When does January end???!!! I better get busy!)

Doreen G said...

I love everything about this-Well done

Jacqui said...

Wish I could do french knots as neatly as you! Beautiful piece and your friend will have heirloom in hands, lucky thing.

Meg in Tennessee said...

It's very beautiful, wish I was the friend, she is very lucky. I think you have mastered the devious french knot!

Lynne said...

This is a lovely combination of canvaswork and surface embroidery - really inspiring.

Padparadscha said...

This loooks great !

neki desu said...

lovely work!
yes, the crazy quilt "vocabulary" in needlepoint is very effective.
btw is the foundation fabric mono canvas?

neki desu

Nancilyn (Fiberdabbler) said...

Splendid design! And I like the added touch of orange. There was a little in the batik I used and I was quite tempted to bring it out more, but refrained as I had so much else going on. Thank you for your comment on my blog.

gaylenona said...

You have given me a whole new view of needlepoint. I haven't looked into it since doing printed pictures so long ago. And I thought it was boring because it was the same stitch over and over! Silly me!!! Yours is just beautiful.

Vivian said...

lovely!

Mavi. said...

Yudy, precioso y elegantísimo. Me encantan tus crazy adornados y embellecidos.
Eres toda una artista, punto de cruz, cerámica...
Muchas gracias por tu comentario.
El punto de cruz no es mi fuerte.
Te visitaré.
Saludos.

Mavi.