Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Finding the Muse in tiny pieces of fabric #10

I am not myself these days.
I am however trying to find my way through the days, and trying to return to a love of art.
This little abstract was quilted before I said goodbye to Cole. I needed to be around people so when I went to my sewing group on Monday, I took it to bead.


This piece finishes at 9" square.I was inspired by the smallest of little batik scraps. It shows why I like odd shapes. Some people like to cut all scraps into squares and strips. Not me. I love the serendipity of the odd shape, the line created with a gentle curve. The surprise as colors are repeated at random, then create a scene... to me this is the forest floor, with flowers.
There is a LOT of free motion quilting in a tiny piece. Repeated lines echoing a shape, an organic feather surround what I see as a stem in purple. It is a process, random piecing with a mood in mind. It becomes what I want without making a plan.
You can see my favorite machine stitch, placed just so on sections of border with variegated rayon thread.

Also notice the lovely leaves given me by a bee mate. I originally wanted two words on metal bits, "wander" and "peace" but while moving beads around on the finished quilt, allowed myself to change my mind. They did not add to it, so I changed direction.
The flowers have a variety of seed bead centers to keep them on. There are also little groupings of seed beads scattered around like french knots. Iridescent sequins create a subtle sparkle of a vine.
Inspiration: tiny fabrics, nature, and a need to sew again. I do not feel like sewing but I need to take steps out of this depression. For the pictures I pinned it to the design wall, and noticed the tiny button that lives on the fleece wall that says "grow"


26 comments:

Julierose said...

Glad you are beginning to sew your way through this difficult time...this is a lovely piece. You are in my thoughts,,,hugs, Julierose

Sara said...

This little piece of art is beautiful. Love the beads and of course your choices of colors. This type of piece wouldn't work with squares or strips - it NEEDED the odd shapes.

Libby in TN said...

My heart aches with you. I will miss Cole's musing on life.

PaintedThread said...

So very pretty. I love the colors, and the beads go lovely with the batiks.

Kathy E. said...

Take your time working through this grief. No need to rush or expect rainbows to sprout from the ground. Beautiful things can happen during our saddest times and this little piece is proof. I like the odd shapes and jagged edges. Life isn't always smooth and perfectly cut, is it? Take care.

gayle said...

It's a lovely step you've made.
Thinking of you. Take care and take steps when you're ready.

Joanne said...

Hi LeeAnna,
These tiny steps are steps forward!
This piece is precious, so much care, detail and lots of what you don't see but feel.
Take care

Dorothy said...

My heart aches for you, I lost my beloved KC in '09. He died in my arms at home, I worked through that loss with many months of "mindless" sewing. I have some beautiful and not so beautiful quilts from that period in my life. I still miss him and still look for him in the house. Fabric and quilting is a life saver ;-) along with the "new" rescue dog I adopted a year later--

Ruth said...

I hid away for a few days and didn't want to see anyone. I made a thank you card for the vet that looked after us and that was my letting go moment. I miss Ben still and while we rescued Wilbur within a month it has taken me 3yrs to bring a new puppy into our home. Allowing yourself the space to grieve in your own way through art and company when you feel like it and alone time when you don't is important- virtual hug sent your way!

easyweimaraner said...

it#s great! I discovered more and more little details with every picture!!!

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

I am always thinking of you these days. I am so glad you started working again. Don't think of these as betrayals, think of them as offerings to his great spirit. Let him shine through your work. Dedicate them to his beautiful life!

Jayne said...

This is a beautiful piece! I love the gentle curves, and of course all the little bitty pieces! Let your work carry you through!

Michele McLaughlin said...

Love the piece and glad you are getting busy. It's hard, but it's therapeutic. Hugs, Mickie

mckittycat said...

Lovely piece. Hugs. Mary Ann

Susan said...

I love those pieces of fabric work too - well done! Thanks for sharing the eye candy on Midweek Makers

Tails Around the Ranch said...

The colors are all so beautiful. I hope they and projects like this help your aching heart heal and return to the beauty of art. ღ

PaulaB quilts said...

"Grow" says it all, the flowers in a hidden glade and your slow healing.

MissPat said...

Your piece is beautiful. I have several of the batiks you used. Your creativity is amazing.
I'm glad you felt the need to be with people. Small steps will help you move forward. While you grieve, remember your friends and your art are here to listen

Sue said...

Perfect therapy, company, sewing, beads and color. Your piece is beautiful.

quiltedfabricart said...

I check your blog every day and am glad to see you have posted. That tells me you are feeling just a little bit better. I think of you often. You will work thru this in your own way in your own time . Only you know what you need am am glad to hear you are doing the best you can. God bless ❤️

Unknown said...

Hope you are doing good my sweet friend. Think of you daily and love you! Sending you major hogs and snout kisses. XOXO - Bacon

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

That is a beautiful piece and you were so thoughtful about what you needed to do with it. I hope creating gives you a place to heal. Hugs.

Kaja said...

Another beautiful piece; I hope it helped, even just for the bit of time you were immersed in making it. You are in my thoughts all the time at the moment.

Kathy Pitts said...

So sorry to hear about Cole. Been there, done that, and I still miss him every day. I'm happy to hear that you are finding an outlet for your sorrow. Your piece is beautiful.

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts said...

It's beautiful! Thanks for linking to Finished or Not Friday. I've pinned your quilt to the Finished or Not Pinterest board. https://www.pinterest.com/busyhandsquilts/finished-or-not-friday-linky-party/

Sarah Craig said...

Sewing is always good therapy, and yours is lovely. Sorry to hear of your loss. Take each day as it comes and keep creating....