I have been fascinated by the transformation of one object to another object every since I witnessed my
childhood babysitter knit a doll’s blanket from a long strand of yarn. The
transformation that takes place from the germ of an idea for what to create
next to the end result is what motivates me during the process of creating a piece of art. From the comments I receive from those of you who follow my
blog, it seems transformation intrigues you, too. That is why for the triple T
section (Tips, Techniques and Thoughts) I am recommending a novel, you may have
already read and a documentary you probably missed.
The novel is a piece of
historical fiction about how “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Vermeer was
created. The author is Tracy Chevalier.
_-_The_Girl_With_The_Pearl_Earring_(1665).jpg) |
| Isn't the light and shadow outstanding on "Girl with a Pearl Earring?" |
One of the best gifts I
gave myself was a subscription to Netflix. I have “discovered” more great films
this way. The most recent was “Note by Note: the making of Steinway L1305." I
worried that this would be exactly what the title said, the step by step making
of a Steinway piano. It is so much more. Each step of the process acts like a chapter
heading. What makes Steinways unique is that each one is handcrafted and hand
tuned. What was new to me was how each piano and has a feel and therefore concert
pianists request specific pianos by number for their concerts. I couldn’t help
but draw a parallel between a pianist and his affinity for a certain piano with quilters
and their connection with their sewing machines.
This past week has been
tough for several reasons. I slogged away, despite the setbacks. Here is how my
plan and my achievements aligned for the week ending April 12, 2013.
1) Pictorial Painting
 |
| "Canyon" has it looked last week. |
a) Continue to watch the
portion of the lesson that demos how to paint the Canyon piece. - Done
 |
| "Canyon" after painting the background mountains." |
b) Finish painting Canyon.
– Partially done. I finished painting the background mountains.
2) Express Your Love
 |
| The Hot Hot Spiral ribbon is the lowest one. The quilting pattern looks like tongues of flame alternating with spirals. Hence, it's name. |
a) Finish quilting Hot Hot Spiral Ribbon
– Done.
b) Do a ribbon in Loopy Doopy Sprial – Done.
 |
| That's Loopy Doopy Spiral, front and center. This time loops alternate with the spirals. |
c) Do whatever assignment Leah comes up
with next.
The next assignment was to
create sections of the quilt using a technique that Leah’s friend named
Trapplique. The point of Trapplique is to create pre-quilted sections for a
quilt that are appliquéd on top of the quilt. The reason Leah is using
Trapplique on her quilt is that she was dissatisfied with the way her ribbons
came out. I am happy with my ribbons. If the technique were unfamiliar to me I would test-drive
it on something else. However, this is something I have used for years when I
wanted to push a section of the quilt into the foreground. I used it to add the
tree, leaves and cardinal in my quilt, “Tree Serenade,” for instance.
 |
| "Tree Serenade" |
What I did choose to do, in
order to have my ribbons stand out more from the quilt, is satin stitch around the
edge of each completed ribbon with the same variegated white through gray mist
thread I used in the hair section.
 |
| The full view of "Express Your Love" (design by Leah Day, choice of stitches, threads and execution by Gwyned Trefethen) allows you to see how the ribbons stand out now that they have been outlined in satin stitch with a variegated white to mist gray thread. |
d) Bonus – I used nano
stitching to create the eye.
3) Reflection (Absolute deadline April
23, 2013)
a) Make and attach the sleeve. - Done
b) Make and attach the
label. - Done
c) Add Reflection to my website. –
Couldn’t do.
Wednesdays are my business days. That is
when I review outstanding calls for entry, look for new ones and complete some.
I also update my website with new events and quilts. This Wednesday we had an
ice storm that knocked out power for most of the day. I did manage to handle
calls for entry. I just didn’t have time before calling it a day to update my
website. I’ll do that this weekend.
d) Submit Reflection for consideration
in "The Eye and the Needle," a SAQA IL/WI exhibition. – Done
4) Adoration (Shooting for a deadline of
June 1, 2013)
a) Mark the background fabric as a guide
for where to place the appliqué pieces.
Done, but it was a major
struggle. I just couldn’t distinguish the obvious sections to mark, even using
a very fancy light table at my husband’s lab. I will try again next week.
b) Start cutting and positioning the appliqué
pieces. – Without an accurate guide this couldn’t be done.
Never someone to let a few setbacks
completely derail me, I have plans for next week. Here is what I hope to
accomplish by April 19, 2013.
1) Pictorial Painting
a) Continue to watch the
portion of the lesson that demos how to paint the Canyon piece.
b) Finish painting "Canyon."
2) Express Your Love
a) Do whatever assignment Leah comes up
with next.
3) Reflection
a) Add Reflection to my website.
4) Adoration (Shooting for a deadline of
June 1, 2013)
a) Mark the background fabric as a guide
for where to place the appliqué pieces.
b) Start cutting and positioning
the appliqué pieces.
