Friday, June 24, 2016

Embroidering a Deconstructed Screen Print & Special Sneak Peek


Do You See What I See?


I have really labored figuring out how to work with this deconstructed silk screen print I made. I have torn out as much thread as I put in it, but am not disappointed I had to do it. I found out what did not work before I settled for what I believed did. 

Quilting did not leave enough actual stitching fiber visible to let you see the design. I tried long stitch quilting, and even short, traditional stitches in many colors. There had to be more contrast with the mottled background for the stitching to show. I debated about using some very deep colors like electric blue to pop against the coral, but decided to keep this piece muted--if pink and green palms are muted. 


It was really interesting to stitch 2 of these prints together. The centering of the original material must have been just perfect--by accident, because the light areas matched no matter how I turned it. I hung it on the wall, and stared at it for a week. What did I see in the markings? I saw palms. As a mom, this view was probably a familiar site. The little kids were beside me in ankle deep water, and big kids building sand castles on the beach. Watching kids around water is a full time job for any parent.


Now that I am happy with the stitching for the palms, I've begun to look at the bottom of the print. I see surf, sea foam, a shell maybe. The trick for me is figuring out how to make you see what I see now. I think it's possible to add too much definition for the viewer so I kept the palms just a shade darker than the background. The surf would be beautifully implied with some frothy looking beads, I think. 

What do you see?

Stay cool this week, and the Doxies and I will tell you about our latest big project very soon. I am involved with my daughter restoring a late 1950's weekend cabin belonging to my husband's side of the family. Imagine opening cabinets, and finding some of the things have not been disturbed for 30, 40, 50, almost 60 years. Many of the textiles were still from 1950, and we've been working hard to restore more than update. It's a fine line deciding if something is worth salvaging, or just cannot be saved at all. 


Today we have another pair of hands coming along to help. It's hard, grungy work, but I think we're looking at a place to be completely unplugged on the weekends. 

I hope you enjoy yours.

Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's get the truck loaded with paint.

10 comments:

Tu-Na Quilts said...

Interesting cabin project! My husband wants to sell our home and buy a lake cabin so he can sit one the deck and fish to his hearts content. I'd rather not be fighting mosquitoes. I could see a couple of quilts draped over those ladder supports!

Lena Pugacheva said...

The palms at sunset look gorgeous, love the colors, looking forward to seeing the end result!

Julie said...

It will be nice to just have better light in there to sit and enjoy it. Dh's grandmother and grandfather built it, and she was an excellent quilter. I imagine she might have even had a frame set up in the great room for the summer, too. The problem with cabins is they get musty, and I'm not sure I'd want that for a good quilt, but sure do see your point of view, too. It might be a good place to take pictures at least!

Julie said...

Thank you, Lena. I like that it's something to sit and work on in the evenings. I really find handwork relaxing, and know you enjoy it, too.

Angie in SoCal said...

That's amazing - the line made by the seam reminds me of the horizon over the sea. You're really getting this piece to speak. Amazing.

Julie said...

Oh, Angie, I never saw that before. I was looking at it the other direction like from the sea toward land. You're making me rethink the bottom now. Hmmmm.

Janice Holton said...

Oh, this is fun! Off in the distance (about center right) I see a graceful woman in a bikini top contemplating the surf at her feet and closer up I see a starfish on the ground.

Kate said...

Love your palm trees, they alone are enough to help imagine the beach at sunset. Good luck with your cabin renewal project. Looks like you've got some fun work ahead.

Julie said...

You all have me looking back at this with new eyes. I have another of the same print I thought was going to be more 'serious', but I think it's getting more detailed by the post.

Thanks, Janice!

Julie said...

Thank you for the encouragement, Kate. It's always appreciated.