Sunday, March 30, 2008

Wurzerl's Garden

One of my favorite blogs to visit is Wurzerl's Garten. Wurzerl has to be one of the most talented and knowledgeable gardeners I've ever met. Whenever I visit her blog I am totally mesmerized by not only her knowledge of nature and flowers, but of her amazing ability to transform her little corner of cyberspace into the most amazing visual and intellectual -- natural adventure. I wanted to thank her in some way for the hours and hours of pleasure I receive reading her stories and looking at her pictures so - I selected one of my favorite pictures - a lovely Hepatica Transsilvanica - she has photographed, and transformed it into a little art quilt just for her.
I recently received a lovely little 6x6 from Fannie wherein she utilized Neocolor II crayons (see post below with the sunflower.) I am so enamored with Fannie's technique, I decided to give it a try myself on one of Wurzerl's flowers. Because I typically work with acrylic paint -- this was an adventure for me. Water Soluable Crayons are a little unpredictable (as are my Tsukineko Inks) as they bleed and you have to be good at anticipating their "bleed" so as not to ruin your design. I don't have Neocolors, but I do have Aquarelles which I think are basically the same thing -- watersoluable high pigment crayons.
Here is an abreviated version of my procedures:
First, I selected the flower I wanted to make (top pictured left.) I then blew the photograph up on my photocopier to fill 8 1/2 x 11.

I decided upon a white organza for the base fabric - a choice I was hesitant on - but ultimately am happy about because it gives piece a nice shimmery quality. I sketched the flowers out on to the organza with graphite. Then I laid in some flower and leaf color with Tsukineko Inks.

After the ink dried, I went back in with the Aquarelle crayons and put in some detail on the petals and leaves. Then my favorite part - the stitching. I created the center of the flowers by freemotion stitching with shiny blue rayon thread around the yellow Aquarelle center. I then went about the piece and free motion stitched details in the petals of the flowers and the leaves.

With that done, I went back in with some holographic thread and did some basic fill in quilting around the flowers and leaves to fill up the background and add more shimmer.
To finish the flower off -- I added some dimensional paint for the stamens of this flower which I think really made it come alive. I still have to bind it -- and my next post will be about asking your opinions on which of four fabrics to use as I am stumped.
Please be sure to stop by Wurzerl's Garten - but make sure you have poured yourself a nice cup of tea first -- as I'm sure you'll be there a while. And Wurzerl -- if you're reading this -- I hope you like my interpretation of your lovely Hepatica Transsilvanica -- it's my way of saying "Thank You!" for all the joy you bring. XO

16 comments:

Vicki W said...

What a lovely piece!

abeadlady said...

It's beautiful, Cathie.

Arline

Noel said...

Cathi...your hands sure do work magic with fabric and threads!!
This is a beautiful piece...love everything about it....the flower, the color, the painting, the sewing...just awesome work!
It's hard to believe something this dynamic is worked in small scale!!!

Hugs,
Noel

Noel said...

sorry i forgot the e at the end of your name...i was so excited about this piece....i forgot to ask you how long did this take you to make and if you say in a day i will cry...it's just tooooo beautiful and looks so complicated to be completed so fast.

Anonymous said...

that is a great piece!

Arlene,
Bainbridge Island florist

Cathie said...

Noel - this is the first time I have painted with something as fluid as ink (and the watercolor crayons) on organza. I may re-think that further on the next one. Perhaps next time I will try using a clear wax stick to outline my images so the ink doesn't run quite as much. As far as time goes - it's hard to say because I work on my projects when I have little bits of time here and there throughout the day. Sometimes I'll just go downstairs for 5 or 10 minutes -- sometimes for an hour or two.

Jeanne Turner McBrayer said...

Cathie, you are so thoughtful to make such a lovely gift to show your appreciation for the gardening blog. You are becoming such an inspiring fiber artist! Love the blues.

Anonymous said...

I really LOVE those colors and how your detail work adds SO much!Can't wait to see the binding offers.....

Katiejane said...

This is veeeery interesting. I think I like it. You are right about Wurzerl's blog. I've never met anyone as knowledgable about gardens, and she visits such nice ones, too. Anyway, back to you, I love what you did with this fabric. You do nice work.

Unknown said...

Cathie, this is soo beautiful, yo did a great work with those transparent colours and I love the white shimmering Organza and the way your positioned your stitched lines! So beautiful
Andrea

girlgonethreadwild said...

OO, good God woman! I'm having a heART atack here... someone call 9-1...

-flatline---

xo, Monica :)

Fannie said...

Bravo, Cathie!

verobirdie said...

Knowing Wurzel, I'm sure she'll like it.
You are right, her blog deserves plenty of time and a nice cup of tea to visit!

Wurzerl said...

Dear Cathi,
what can I say, I am simply speechless!! How can I deserve so a lot of kindly words about my blog? How can I deserve this wonderful work you did with one of my absolutely favourite flowers - Hepatica tranns...? I am simply speechless and I don' t know how to thank you. Your work is really great and I can' t believe it' s in some weeks in Wurzerls home. Thank you so much
Hugs, Wurzerl

Genie said...

Beautiful Work, OOOOOOOOOh and AAAAAAAAh
Jean

Barbara said...

You did a wonderful "piece of art" and if anyone deserves it, then it is indeed Wurzerl! I'm so glad for her! And congratulations for what you have done!
Greetings from Switzerland, Barbara

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