Back to Wings, 2

Inching along in the wee hours.

I've been reflecting on a title for this. "Icarus," probably, however, maybe a companion piece to "He Went to Work Every Day...Then He Retired." Something like, "And Then She Flew Away"--just a passing thought. 

Rather a pile up of fabric at the bottom of the wing where I'm stitching now. 

I may have to cut away some fabric.

Branching Out, 2

I've spent a lot of time l-o-o-k-i-n-g at this tree lately.

Moving around, figuring out, trying to get it balanced...or unbalanced. I was planning on having a nice straight seam connecting the root section to the trunk and whitish background, however I rather like the uneven edge over the roots that the photo shows.

I'm machine sewing things down for the moment and will deal with the consequences (buckling) later. Some anxiety grips my stomach because I've invested so much time and work into this piece and I really want it to go beyond my vision, to have a life of its own. Then I look at the rich colors of the pomegranates and my anxiety disappears. Somehow, it will all work out--notice how I keep trying to reassure myself?!

Branching Out, 1

Working on the floor, I find myself filling in the holes between the branches.

The lower branches are in place around the trunk. Building up from the bottom.

At one time I would've worried about all the buckling and folds, however, I know from experience that it will all quilt out...I think. Of course, if I really had some serious technique and thought ahead more, I would not have this problem. On the other hand, I wouldn't have the same piece either. 

And anyway, if I knew how it was all going to work out and lay flat because I had planned carefully, I would be bored silly. So you see, my lack of method is the only way to go.

Back to Wings

While the roots appliqué is pinned to the wall with the Pomegranate Tree, 

I decided to work on the Wing Cloth for my late-night stitching.

When I look at this photo (I love my working blog--it shows me so much), I realize how spectacular-looking this piece is. Maybe I can complete one side of the wings before getting back to the roots?

I would like to finish this piece and if I thought the end was near, I'd push for it. However, the other side of the wing contains a good deal of appliqué--hours and days and weeks worth. Oh, well, more stitching pleasure...

Linked to Nina Marie's "Off the Wall Friday."

On Techniques and Trunks

Just to show a bit of "technique." 

I pieced together some bark for the trunk and pinned it on top.

The brown goes underneath and the white-ish background gives it shape.

Next step is to add white fabric along the bottom where my hanging sheet shows.

Actually, "technique" is a euphemism for 

"no-idea-what-I'm-doing-but-I'll-figure-it-out-as-I-go".

The only way to fly...

On My "Design Wall"

I really would like to get closer to finishing this.

Now I need to add to the light background fabric, work on the branches, and stitch it all together in some way or another.

I'll have a quiet house for a few days. Maybe I can make a dent in it.

Linked to Nina Marie's "Off the Wall Friday".

Stitching Roots, 10

Half done.

Whew!

Fairies in My Garden

A Fairy House has sprung up in my garden.

I helped the little people by providing the bricks and a broken slab of marble I found on the roadside. GD1 and GD2 did the rest (GD=granddaughter). The door actually opens.

The little people have informed me that fairies like natural objects--shells, feathers, plant leaves, nests, rocks. These are Tunisian fairies so I bet they like the flat marble roof where they can dance in the evening. 

Stitching Roots, 9

Half almost finished. I managed to stay awake last night 
instead of falling asleep in mid stitch with needle in hand.

As the temperatures shoot into the 90s, I may have more stitching time.

 One good thing about the heat: I can't do much but move my fingers...

Stitching Roots, 8

One side almost finished, almost...

A meeting in the middle.

Stitching Roots, 7

I really needed a day off, a day to myself, a day to not run around and around, a day to just sit and stitch--so I got sick.

Just a good head cold. Stitched my way through it. 

Feeling better now.

Saved

Yes, I threatened to slice this piece, however, it was saved from the cutter by a friend who would like it intact. So I finished off the stitching by extending it into the background fabric.

A rare work, indeed. Probably the only white piece I will ever do. And yet, it has heightened my awareness of the possibilities of white.

Background for He Went to Work

This background came to life with the addition of strips of appliqué fabric from other projects.

As can be seen, it developed a serious curve. It's been awhile since I strip pieced and I went all in one direction instead of going in the opposite direction every other time. I should have known better.












On the other hand, I like my mistakes, usually, and the distortion from needle turning the shirts will make the curve a moot point...although I did stabilize the background by basting it to harem cloth. Lots of possibilities. 

I had been complaining to myself that I really had no major (meaning large) project going with needle turn appliqué. 
So that takes care of that.

Stitching Roots, 6

My title "Stitching Roots,..." could go up into the hundreds. However, yesterday I made some progress while sitting in a hospital room with a family member who had undergone surgery. (Rule of thumb in Tunisia: One does not leave patients alone in a hospital because the nursing services are usually poor, which was fortunately not the case in this particular hospital). 

Well, still a ways to go before the center and the end meet.

I was thankful to have taken my stitching: hospital conversations tend toward medical subjects and can become downright geriatric.