[update: 5/1/2010]
[update: 4/25/2010]
[update: 3/13/2010]

This is the first stages of a new piece created in tribute to my Kohenet sister Yosefa.  I drew this the morning before I left for her funeral.  The piece isn’t about grief, it’s about all the color Yosefa brought to the world.  The floss on the left side is a gorgeous variegated cotton floss from the Caron Collection.  I bought it at the best embroidery shop in the DC area, which is still a haul from my house.  When I actually get down there I stock up on all kinds of fun things.  But I digress…

I’m planning on continuing with the tambour-stitch style I’ve been working in, but really stepping things up and doing some serious surface embellishment.  I feel inspired by the work of Sharon B. and her “Sumptuous Surfaces” class.  I haven’t taken it (yet), but I’m already inspired.  So I’ll start with the tambour style, but mix it up after that.

Anyone who knew Yosefa would understand this.  She was an amazingly colorful, highly textured person.  Here’s a tribute with one of my favorite pictures of Yosefa.  I don’t know what I’ll do with the final piece.  If the Seattle Women’s Tattoo Forum, which she co-founded, has their art show again next year I may see if I can donate it to them.

Mizrach Sunrise, Cropped Detail

Size: 9″x12″, not including tassels
Stitch: chain, twisted chain, net stitch
Materials: Linen, DMC perle cotton

According to my blog, I started this piece somewhere around February 2008. The artwork was finished at least 6 months ago, but it sat in a drawer waiting for me to be motivated/inspired to do the “finishing” work. I’m a notorious procrastinator about doing finishing work. Usually it’s fear related. I’m so afraid of making a mistake and ruining a piece that’s taken months of work to complete.

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I’ve become really fascinated by Habu Textiles stainless steel silk yarns.

I first saw it in action at Artomatic this year when my friend Rania had incorporated some into her amazing mixed-media artwork. She told me about how amazing it was, but I wasn’t sure that I could work with it because I’m not a knitter. I started playing with some ideas and finally gave in and bought some.

I’m experimenting with “net stitch” vessels. My stitch work here is kind of messy, because the stuff is hard to get used to. Even so, I’m really happy with this experiment. I love that it’s so sculptural. I think I’m going to invest in more and use it as part of the final work on “Life Begins Now,” because I really want that to have a sculptural quality.

For a knitter the thread is probably expensive, but considering how little I used for this experiment — it’s not too bad for me!  I purchased my first batch from Purl Soho, and it arrived very quickly and the colors were exactly as I expected.  I love their blog, so I’m happy to be able to support them through a purchase finally!  The fabric is scrap from my favorite linen from Scarlet Letter.  I’m pretty sure it’s the “golden flax” evenweave.

Oh, if you are looking for more inspiration on how to use this amazing yarn — check out Flickr.  There’s tons of pictures of what people have been doing with it.   Stainless Steel Silk on Flickr.

Technorati Tags: habu textiles, habu yarn, stainless steel silk, fiber art, embroidery

Work in progress — this represents probably 30-40 hours of work. I’m about 1/2 way around with the “base coat” of chain stitches and french knots. I’ve really fallen in love with the varigated off-white perle cotton. Thank goodness for “Create For Less” so I can buy it bulk. I love the subtle shifts in color that it gives the piece. Yes, it’s really subtle.

I really love the sculptural quality this is taking on.  It’s what I was going for.  I think I’m going to use “stainless steel silk” as the accent material.  I’ve been experimenting with it, and I think it will really help provide the sculptural finish and sense of life.

Technorati Tags: fiber art, embroidery, tambour stitch, WIP, embroidered prayers

6″ Diameter Wall Decor / Hanging

Fabric is simple muslin that I printed a page of an old Sears catalog on.  I love the old catalog and thought  it could be fun to play with on fabric.  For some reason, I really loved the corset images.

I decided to embroider an old fashioned light bulb on it.  Shedding a little light on things?

The whole thing is securely framed in a 6″ wooden hoop that has been wrapped in copper wire.

Listed in my Etsy shop if you’re interested — and more to come!

Technorati Tags: steampunk, embroidery, hand stitched, artwork, fiber art