Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Embroidery In Yellow

Was the theme of another of the swaps I participated in recently. Let's get right to it!

Because yellow can be so light, I choose a fabric that would make the embroidery jump out against the background. I chose a bright aqua blue! I've always been partial to that color... psst... come in real close, I'm gonna tell you a secret... my whole prom dress in high school was aqua. Like, entirely aqua. Bright! Aqua. Taffeta. And tulle! All of it... aqua! {shaking head} It was not good people...

Sniff... I'm getting side tracked aren't I? Hm. Well, moving right along!
Where was I?
Oh yes, jumping embroidery. 

A big ol' yellow flower!
Filled in with lots of chain stitching.

Extra spiffy on the backside too, if I do say so myself.
I finally found a way to finish "hooped" pieces that I'm happy with. Firstly, I took a simple wooden hoop and painted it white, then I layered another piece of the same fabric against the back of the embroidered piece before placing it in the hoop. Next I closely trimmed the excess fabric from the back of the hoop, then finished it with some pretty yellow trim. Lastly I added a ribbon to the top of the hoop so my partner could hang it if she wants to.
I had a little trouble with the trim. This stuff frays like crazy! Just for future reference, how should one cut & apply this stuff so that the edges stay neat? Fray Check?

I used seven different shades of yellow in this piece.
I was happy with the end result, I think it pops!
My partner, Julia (Hi Julia!!) who is one heck of an embroiderer too, tells me that she really likes it, yay!  

The partner who sent my piece (Hi Perla!!) was SO on top of her game, she rocks! Her piece arrived just a few days after the start of the swap, I was so impressed! I was like "last minute lisa" rushing to the post office just a day before the last day of the swap.
Looky~looky what I got!
Isn't it great?!? Look at all those French Knots! Oh, I love this little birdie!! I haven't decided what I'm going to do with this little beauty just yet. I'm thinking I might like in incorporate it into a quilt... maybe a quilted pillow. Wheels are a'turning...

These swaps are super fun! I really enjoy this swappin' business!

Hey! Did you know that today is the first day of fall?? Yup, it sure is! And I didn't need to hear it on the NPR this morning either, I knew it as soon as I got out of bed, touched my cold tootsies to the floor and wondered for the first time in months
"Where are my fuzzy slippers??"

Happy Fall Y'all!
oxo,
Lisa

13 comments:

  1. Happy Fall, Lisa!!
    I loooove that daisy on aqua-- that background is so perfect for making that yellow pop! I really like how you finished it too. I've been stitchin' this evening... I really should be cleaning the house instead, but I'd rather stitch!
    Hugs,
    Jill

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  2. Wow! What a stunning piece of embroidery - excellent colour choices. Can we see a picture of this aqua dress?? ;0)

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  3. Beautiful o.o and perfectly done.
    I just came here (following Wendy ;) ) and have to take a closer look at the rest of your blog.
    Best regards
    Jo&cats

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  4. These are gorgeous! I love what you made and what you got!

    I finish my pieces the same way, but the trim idea is brilliant! Do you mind if I steal that idea part?. :) Genius!!

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  5. Hello,
    thanks for popping by my blog, I love your work and your blog so it was a real honour to have you look at my wonky stitching!! I tried to reply to your comment by email, but it loads up my work email, not sure how to get round that one!

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  6. Oh I love your embroidered daisy! So cute! I love the little birdie you received from your swap partner too. And speaking of old prom dresses... you need to come and visit my latest post. :-)

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  7. Hi Lisa!

    It's Julia. I love the piece. It's hanging in my office at school and makes me smile every time I glance up.

    Thanks!!!

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  8. I love both the colour and the flower. you clever thing and lucky Julia.
    Gillx

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  9. Julia~ That's so cool! I'm so glad to hear you like it enough to display it at work!! I'm smiling really big over here!! Have a great day!

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  10. Yellow and aqua...what a divine colour combination! Your stitching is perfect as always, and great thinking with the trim! Now...can we see some photos of the dress? Pretty please?

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  11. As for the trim, def. cut on an angle. But also, you could paint a little bit of mod podge or white school glue on the area to be cut. It will make it stiff, so no fraying. I've never used fray check... so I have no clue 'bout that craziness.

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  12. Happy fall, Lisa! LOVE these embroideries too! Both are just beautiful. I like how you finished yours off so neatly in that hoop...Let's not talk about prom dresses. My was sooo awful. What WAS I thinking! Yellow and aqua are so pretty together. xo Paulette :)

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  13. nice blog.
    also visit my website of designs and prints
    www.priyanart.com

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Hey There~
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog! I try to respond to all my comments, and I can't wait to hear what you have to say!
oxo
~Lisa