Wrapping Christmas presents
left the kitchen table strewn with lovely papers, silvery ribbons, and
Santa Claus gift tags.
Seemed appropriate to photograph the Crumb against a
Christmas background.
But this week's Crumb does not yet reflect Christmas.
It reflects the Chiku-Chiku work of Japanese artist Akiko Ike
whose work I have been looking at lately.
She uses thick, thick thread in her work.
So this week I chose the thickest threads I could find in my baskets
and then I went to Judy's Journal
to find that she had used thick thread and large stitches
for her beautiful Stumbling Flag quilt.
Quite amazing.
The thread I chose was so very thick it took pliars to pull it through.
Won't do that again in a hurry unless I find some looser weave fabrics.
As I stitched I realized the little scrap of olive green and black tie
was well over twenty years old.
It took me back.....
....back to the early nineties when I made
bears covered from head to foot in embroidery.
This, the first one I ever made was called
Woodland Bear.
And this glamorous girl was called
Bajan Bear
Those were the days when everything had to have a bit of glitz...
Silk ribbon and shiny beads
doodads
and flowers galore.
Not a toy, but
I might have to make one for the baby-grand when she is older!
Hope your Christmas preparations are going swimmingly.
I remember seeing that first bear at Quiltmakers. Memories! I made one as well, but took the class from another instructor. It's still sitting in pieces!!! Sigh! One day it will be completed, but my magpie mind has gone on to other things.
ReplyDeletePS - I love your "Crumb" series!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing Penny, how we so often are doing the same things, even though we are miles apart. Chiku chiku companionship. Similar wave-lengths. xo
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your bears!
ReplyDeleteStunning bears! The embroidery...shells and beads have me in such appreciation of your workmanship!!!
ReplyDeletewow!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous, glamorous bears!
ReplyDeleteLovely bears and memories.
ReplyDeletebeautiful colours in your Crumb piece. That pattern must have made it's way around the world, as I made one of those embroidered bears many years ago. Poor thing it's stuffed into a cupboard somewhere!
ReplyDeleteI laughed at your having to use pliers. My #3 grandgirl had to use them, with gpa's, help while pulling yarn through cardboard. I have a thing for pounding nails into things to make holes, and not just leather belts. Keep it in mind for next time you are struggling.....then you can laugh back at me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat! Lovely crumb and stunning bears. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to see those bears! Of course you know they're right up my alley. And what would we do without our pliers when we're working with thick threads?
ReplyDelete