Another Blessing; Hello Beautiful Baby

I created this work to honour a first grandchild. 

This photo was the inspiration for my work.  

In the photo, the young expectant couple proudly pose in front of their 

newly acquired elegant old stone farm house.  

Detail:  Their beloved dog stands guard.  Stitchery is free motion and the green silk organza is hand dyed.  The white leaf motif is my drawing, I created a screen and printed it on the organza. 

Detail:  The grasses are free motion with varigated heavy thread.  The stone of the house is commercial fabric embellished with fabric paint.  Windows are raw edge applique. The sun has extra batting and is a combination of hand dyed and commercial fabric with free motion and embroidery stitchery.

Detail:  The animals visiting their farm house were inspired by a story I had heard; that three deer had come to their property shortly after they moved in.  Also, that they are now a family of three!

Detail:  I included trees in the composition as, for me, they symbolically represent rootedness, new roots, that life will continue long after us, and once again, another trio.  The bark was created with commercial fabric overlayed with free motion stitchery with varigated thread.  Grasses and little yellow flowers connect the colour yellow with the sun.  Yellow is the mom's favourite colour, and she has a lovely, sunny disposition.  Their dog is keeping an eye on the comings and goings on the property.

Detail:  The leaves of the trees are dyed, layered, and stitched silk organza.  The sky was painted with thinned dye.  I chose to frame this work as some of the elements had more layers than others, and this was a way to give presence to the composition as well as stabilize all the elements.

Installation:  Brightening up the nursery, overseeing their beautiful baby girl!

May she enjoy a lifetime of happiness.

 

Beautiful New Baby Girl

A Sweet Baby Quilt

To honour the blessed arrival of a baby I went shopping with the mommy-to-be and she picked out all the fabrics that she loved.  (We knew it was going to be a girl). After much discussion and review of many very complicated patterns she concluded that she liked squares.  simple and clean.

Detail:  I decided to hand quilt and backed it with a soft flannel to keep the 'hand' of the quilt gentle.  Also, I have begun to really appreciate and enjoy the process of the slow stitch.  I double quilted on either side of each seam.

As I had fabric leftovers, I decided to create a matching pillow and created a bargello type of pattern. The pillow top is its own 3 layer quilt but then it has a back attached that is removable for washing.

She has arrived!  And seems to love cuddling.

I also made her a few burping/all purpose cloths out of a multilayered cloth designed for the purpose. Each one is trimmed with machine embroidery of a different pattern.

But then to coordinate with the colour scheme I felt that I needed to create a little wall hanging.  As she is a 'baby Tiger' I was inspired to create a space with many little animals that will be fun to identify, when she is a bit older.

I was inspired by this sweet placemat that I received in a lovely brunch place in Oakville, Ontario.  I am sorry that I cannot credit the designer directly, but you can see that the restaurant was called "Pur and Simple".  I always have my lens for inspiration on, because you never know when you may be struck by a colour or an image.  I found these animals so simply and elegantly illustrated, they lent themselves perfectly to applique.

Detail:  The tree branches are free motion embroidery with varigated thread

Detail:  The animals are all created with the same base white fabric and then the details are embellished with thread and fabric, beads and buttons.  And of course there is a friendly tiger resting at the base of the tree.

Detail:  the birds wings were created by making a raw edge with the fabric.

Detail:  The tree and a couple of the animals have extra batting in order to create a three dimensional effect.

Detail:  The deer also has extra batting.

 Details

This project was so much fun.  I love creating the whimsy that art for children invites.