Sunday 22 September 2013

Sunday Stitchalong and More

Here is my update on Sunday Stitchalong with Chrissie and friends and I do hope you enjoy having a little look!

First off, I now am the proud owner of a 'light box' so that has made life a lot easier - a great investment for small cost. Funny how it happened really - I had one on order from a fabric shop but their supplier let them down and I didn't feel like being patient any longer so managed to get one elsewhere, right there and then,  for a huge 40% off just because the store was having a birthday celebration. And it's a better model than the one I had on order. Am I blessed or what!

Here is what I have worked on - you remember the gorgeous blue wrens I included pics of in a post recently? Well, I just love these little birds so thought it would be a challenge to stitch one and yes, it was a challenge! I used short and long stitch, which I haven't really used before - well, maybe I have  in the long ago distant past but didn't know what I was doing!!! Trying to mimic those vibrant colours was just about impossible but I gave it a good try. Satin stitch was my choice for the little blue heart and the larger heart was done in the same fashion as the wren. The decorative 'swirl' is stem stitch.



For this project I bought new fabric but then wasn't happy with it once I started to stitch - the weave is more open than the ones I've been using and the fabric doesn't have a lot of body to it - drat! However after stitching I gave the piece a hand wash which is my usual practice, and I can say that it's the first time I've ever been happy when a fabric shrunk - not a lot but enough to tighten things up a bit and give a more finished look, to my mind. The top one is the edge of my washed project and on the bottom is the unwashed - can you see the slight difference in the weave?

I bought a floss winder so I can get my threads all tidied up - they're a bit messy now I'm afraid; this little gadget cost just over $2 - a bargain!



Now let me explain something here! Yesterday in my post I mentioned about the type of painting I used to do, and that style has crept into this little design; there's a story behind it. Ten years or so ago our little dog Morgie decided that after sixteen years he was worn out and so very sadly we had to let him go. I was heartbroken over Morgie and for a little healing therapy decided to get the paints out and see what would come forth:



There is my representation of Morgie, my lovely Lhasa Apso, along with some of my favourite things - blue wrens, butterflies, hearts and stylised flowers. Now, look again at my little stitch design and you'll see that I took the idea from my painting, albeit with a few little changes.

While we're on the subject of art deco stylised painting, here are a few others I did long ago which are hanging around our home. I apologise for the quality of these pics - the light was terrible and the reflections made the whole situation worse, so a couple of them are definitely not showing their true colours - but it's just to let you see what I've been talking about. By the way, the walls in our home are all painted in a linen colour, so the colours are definitely way out of whack, as you can see!

The name of the flower in the first painting escapes me and always has, the second one is from a poppy.




The next one is a fuchsia and the last is a leucodendron.

So there we have it - all of this based around my little stitch along blue wren. Or was the wren based around the paintings - yes, that's it!
I haven't decided whether or not to make another cushion from this project or venture into something new, but I'll be working on it!

I hope that those of you who are doing the stitch along have been enjoying yourselves and I'm looking forward to seeing all your work.

A little quote to leave you with:
The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt!   Sylvia Plath


I wish you all the very best, have a really good week, and thanks so much for dropping by!

Joy xo









39 comments:

  1. What beautiful post! Your artwork is incredible - I have a thing for Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods - I wish I had some of your prints to hang on the wall! And the stitching is so lovely, the colours really are mesmerising! Chrissie x

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    1. PS Don't forget to link up to the Stitching Sundays post, I want to share your stitches! Cxxx

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    2. Thanks so much Chrissie, glad you like!
      Joy xo

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  2. Joy, your stitching is so amazing, each stitch looking like a delicate feather. But then I saw your beautiful painting and I have to say I am in awe. You are so talented my friend.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. Many thanks for your wonderful kindness Meredith, you are always so encouraging.
      Warm hugs to you and have a happy week!
      Joy xo

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  3. That top bluebird with the heart and bough is just lovely! You're getting really good at this!!

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    1. Lovely compliment thank you Sandra - they say practice makes perfect but perfection, to me, is in the eye of the beholder, so I'm just doing my best and having a good time while doing so!
      Joy x

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  4. Joy, Your stitching is amazing, and art work stunning and so beautiful.
    I love your colour choices and subjects. I too love Art Deco, especially Clarice Cliffe.
    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Irene, I'm very touched by your kindness!
      I also love Clarice Cliffe and a family member has a small collection of her beautiful work - I wonder how many folks have pieces shoved away in corners, not realising how valuable it is these days.
      Joy x

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  5. Dear Joy
    I love the colours you have used for your wren and enjoyed seeing where the inspiration came from. I'm looking forward to seeing the next project!
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Hello Ellie - thank you so much, and I'm looking forward to seeing your next also! I haven't made a decision yet about cushion - or not - for blue wren, but I think the next stitchy subject will be quite different.
      All the best for a lovely week,
      Joy x

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  6. I am so impressed with your paintings! Wow, you are very talented in a lot of ways. I love that art style, I have lots of things around like that and it's one of my favorites types.

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    1. Hello Jennifer and thank you for your lovely message - it seems like Art Deco/Nouveau is a very popular style with many people - I'm glad you can enjoy your pieces around you.
      Happy week to you.
      Joy x

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  7. Dearest Joy, not sure where to start. Feeling a little speechless after seeing your very beautiful paintings. WOW WOW WOW!!! You are so incredibly talented and how lovely of you to do a painting of your beloved dog, it must be lovely to look at the painting in remembrance. I also love what you have done with your wren and it looks so beautiful. Your satin stitch is perfect, I am yet to give that a go. I think the whole project is really really lovely Joy. You are such a very talented lady and I feel blessed that I can look at your beautiful creations. I am so looking forward to seeing your next project. Your little gadget looks fab, I think I might need one. Wishing you a happy week and thank you for your sweet comments, you are lovely! Much love xoxo

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    1. You are such a sweetheart Hannapat and I thank you for all your lovely encouragement! What a delightful message, and it gives me great pleasure to know that you (and others) are happy to look at my work. I just enjoy what I do and am happy when it works out nicely - it doesn't always!!!
      I find satin stitch quite easy after short and long, but not so much fun, or challenge. Give it a go soon lovely Hannapat.
      A happy healthy week for you with love,
      Joy xoxo

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  8. Oh Joy you are so talented, I love your paintings and think of the feeble attempts I am making on the printing course! I particularly love the one with the butterfly on the wall next to it, it is so gorgeous. Your work is just stunning Joy and you make it all look so easy, I know that it isn't. I think it is your very approach to life as you have a wonderful personality and don't seem to make a big fuss out of everything and therefore approach your work and projects with a quiet sense of confidence and determination. You are a joy so your name really suits you Joy. Have a fabulous week and speak soon, thanks for all your encouragement and thoughtfulness.
    Lots of love and big hugs to you Joy
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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    1. Ah Dorothy, it's so nice to have your sweet encouraging message, thank you so much for your kindness. I'm really just an ordinary gal doing what I enjoy and I'm happy to know you like my work.
      The painting you like is the fuchsia; so much beauty and style to those blooms and so a wonderful subject for the Art Deco style.
      Have a lovely week and go gently with yourself!
      Joy xo

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  9. Oh my goodness you are a very talented lady! Love your artwork and your embroidery is just beautiful. Thank you so much or sharing.
    Marianne x

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    1. Hi Marianne, I'm always happy to have your lovely messages, thank you, and even happier to know you enjoy seeing my work.
      I wish you a fantastic week!
      Joy x

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  10. I love it all. I am always so impressed with the creativity of others. Blue is one of my favourite colours too so that little bird really speaks to me. BTW, what is a "light box". Is it is some kind of light source for crafting. I'm looking for something to help me in that area too.

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    1. Hello Joyful and thanks for dropping by again. In real life the blues of the little wren are quite unbelievable, I have never seen such colour anywhere else, so you too, being a 'blue' fan, would be more than impressed!
      The light box is for tracing designs/patterns onto fabric/paper whatever! The bright light shines up through and you lay the pattern and fabric on top and trace around with pen or pencil. Wonderful contraption - www.daylight company.com is one place you can look because I also have their table lamp for craft work and it's fantastic. All the best with your lamp search Joyful!
      Joy x

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  11. Hello Joy.
    Wow you've been busy again! thank you again for checking in with me such a thoughtful gesture.
    Well it sounds like you had a real bargain! I always scroll through your photos first as I cant wait to see what's been happening before reading I thought wow the stitching is just like the blue wrens, and I read and saw yes they are! So pretty and neat as always you truly are a talented lady!
    Your tribute to Morgie is so lovely, I am wondering now if your bad at anything? painting, crochet, stitching, knitting all amazing I'm in awe!
    I look forward to seeing what you do next.
    Hope that you have a lovely week FB xx

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    1. There you are FB, lovely as ever! Thanks so much for your gorgeous message, I really enjoy every one of them, you're so sweet!
      Oh FB, I only show the good results - there are many attempts that don't work out at first and I have to battle with them, but we keep trying!
      Have you a project on the go at the moment, or planning something new after all your craft sale work; gosh, that kept you busy and you produced some lovely things!
      See you soon lovely,
      Joy xo

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  12. Wow Joy, you are superbly talented. The wren is super, and what great colours. Am really enjoying the stitching Sundays
    S xx

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  13. Thanks so much S - you're too kind! Yeah, the stitch along is a lot of fun, isn't it, and so encouraging - it keeps me going!
    I'm looking forward to catching up on your post - and many others - but we've had a power failure this morning and I find the iPad so fiddly with the typing, so will get to it later on the real computer!
    I wish you a wonderful week!
    Joy x

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  14. Wow your paintings are incredible! No wonder your embroidery is so creative. I love the wren and all the blues -just my favourite sort of colours. Its going to be lovely. I didn't get any stitching done this week... :-(

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    1. Hi Leeanne and thank you so much for your lovely message. I've been over to your place and that is a sweet little bag you made so you haven't exactly been idle! Sometimes it's difficult to get to everything in a busy schedule - you'll catch up on the Sunday stitching, I'm sure!
      Have a lovely week and I'll look forward to your next post.
      Joy x

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  15. Beautiful, looks to me like you have captured those vibrant colours wonderfully. You're so talented, you pictures are stunningly beautiful too :) xx

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    1. Lovely to see you here again Cheryl and thank you for your encouraging message. Hope everything feeling a bit brighter with you.
      Joy x

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  16. Happy Monday Joy, I absolutely Love your Little Blue Wren and Heart Stitchery. You do a very lovely job of stitching. Love your story about the Light Box.. Neat you got it at such a great deal. I have Never seen a Floss Winder. What a great idea. I will have to look for one..

    What a very very lovely tribute to Morgie. You are such a very talented lady. Your painting it truly beautiful.. Hugs judy

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  17. Very lovely message Judy - many thanks for it, always so nice to hear from you!
    I had never seen a floss winder either, so grabbed it while I could - I haven't tried it out yet though!
    Have a lovely happy week Judy,
    Warm hugs, Joy x

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  18. Oh Joy, how cute the little bird, He his do adorable x

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    1. Thanks Joy - glad you like the cheeky little fella!
      Joy x

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  19. Thanks so much for sharing more of your creative projects, Joy! I appreciate your talents and am inspired to want to complete more projects as I view yours. I love the mutual excitement I sense we feel about daring to be creative :)
    Gracie xx

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    1. Ooops Gracie, sorry I took a while to get back to you!
      I love your message - you've hit the nail on the head and I thank you for sharing your creative magic so beautifully and inspiring not only me, but many!
      Warm hugs,
      Joy xo

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  20. Oh my goodness Joy!!! My mouth fell open when I saw your stunning paintings! There are just no words to describe how beautiful I think they all are! You are so talented my sweet friend. This is the type of art I'd expect to see in an upscale gallery. WOW Joy!!!

    Your stitched birdie design is sooo lovely as well. I'm truly a fan of ALL you create!

    That quote is a good one, and how true it is! ... I really love visiting here! :D xo

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    1. Ah Paulette, you're soooo sweet - I'm very happy that you like my little birdie and paintings - I feel that that background experience has helped me with the little stitchies I'm now doing.
      Thanks so much for your lovely message.
      Warm hug, Joy xo

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  21. I enjoy your stitchy pics Joy x

    Rachell - from the little room of

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