Satisfactory Sunday

Another Sunday, another embellishing technique.  Today I worked with wool beads and silk cocoons and mulberry paper flowers.

First I prepared the background for the embellishments.  I used the fabric from last week’s needle felting and pieced it with a blue batik and practiced a couple different styles of quilting.

Then it was time to play!   First I stitched wool balls/beads down in a (lopsided) circle.  I added some beads (which you can barely see) and I will be doing more beadwork on this.  There’s only so much time in a day!

Then I used flower petals made of mulberry (I think) paper.  The directions called for individual petals, but I cut them from a flower I had.  Of course, then I stitched them back together as a flower.  Now that made sense!  This one has some sequins in the petals, but will probably get some more beading, too.

For the needle-felted corner, I couched down a bow in gold cord I had threaded through the beads – also from last week.  I think you can guess what’s next . . . I want to add beads here, too!

 

This one is my favorite.  I cut a couple of silk cocoons and flattened them out and stitched three large beads.    I soaked one cocoon in water first, but it did not seem to make much difference in how the material cuts and stitches.  Then I took a fourth bead and cupped it with the end piece of a cocoon.  With those four bugle beads, I think this one is perfect like it is.  Surprised you, didn’t I?

And here is the full piece.  Yup, definitely needs more beads!  While I’m not in love with the wool beads, I would like to experiment with some smaller sizes and combine them with glass beads or sequins.  I will definitely play some more with the silk cocoons.  They have been showing up everywhere lately, but this was my first experience with them.

The flower petals?  I don’t know.  Maybe I should just keep the flower in one piece and use it that way.  Sure would be quicker.  LOL!