Friday, May 29, 2009

Going Green

At one time in my life I didn't care for the color green.  Something to do with frosting ten gazillion cookies in green!  But I got over it.

P5200020Good thing, too.  Because I've spent a lot of time working on green lately!  I signed up for Pat Winter's swap called Pieces of Friendship.  I decided right away I would do something with fairies in the garden.  This was one of the projects that I did in my head several times, twisting this way and that, and revising the idea as time went on.  Once I started actually working, it was just one step following another - until fini!

P5130007I started with a piece of fabric that I stenciled and textured with Shiva paint sticks.  My first experience with these sticks and there are tons of fun things that can be done with them. 

P5150009I free-motion stitched small leaf shapes onto several different shades of green fabric.  You can see the stitching on the lighter fabric here, and you'll just have to trust me that the strip in the center has stitching, too!

P5230023

After fusing the stenciled fabric to stiff interfacing and cutting it into puzzle shapes, I glued a small purchased face to each piece.   Then I pulled out all the green beads in my stash!  I beaded a bezel around each face and then stitched the individual cut-out leaves using different beads to attach and embellish.

Finally, I attached a backing and zigzagged around the edges - very carefully so none of the leaves or beads are caught in the stitching.  That part had me most worried - and took forever, but they all look pretty good.  Well, I think so!

color-correction

Here are the complete set (I don't know why the color is off).  Pat asked for at least four, and I made nine.  Talk about an over-achiever!  For each one I send, I should get one in exchange.  I will then assemble the puzzle and have a wall hanging made by a very talented group of stitchers.  (Be sure you scroll through the posts on Pieces of Friendship.  They are amazing!)  And my little fairies will go to live in homes all over the world.  Isn't that cool?  And I had great fun doing the project.  I just love beads!

4 comments:

Annie said...

Liz, these are fabulous. So expertly done. I love all the detail and the precision. Yours fit together so perfectly and the edges are so tidy.

I've been following this exchange and everyone is so inventive. But yours are really special! Good job!

Kay said...

This is a great exchange! And your pieces are lovely.
Won't it be fun to see how they go together?

Unlike you, I find that everything I make is green, at least partially. I'm not sure why.

Gina E. said...

Hi Liz,
I think this is the first time I've visited your blog. I don't know how I've missed it up until now! Like Annie, I've been following the Pieces of Friendship exchange and wish I'd been involved from the start, it is wonderful. I just love your contribution, those little faces are sooooo cute!

GraceBeading said...

I received my swap pieces today and feel fortunate to find one of yours was amongst them. It is beautiful, the detail - amazing! Thank you so much, I will treasure my little fairy in the garden