DEW DROPS: Translating a Photo into a 12" Square Quilt

This piece was inspired by a photo of a branch with dew drops.  The Quilt Artists of Kentucky issued the photo as part of our year long Quiltography Challenge.

Here is the photo that I had to translate into a 12" square and in fabric.

I started with the audition of some of my hand dyed fabric.  

 
























I then decided to stencil the background fabric to give it more texture.  I used Stewart Gill Metallic  paint.

 

















Next I painted some lightweight interfacing. I was going with the idea that it would be translucent. It wasn't but it does make a nice lightweight piece of fabric. I laid it over some bubble wrap and then painted it with some Stewart Gill Metallic paints. I auditioned some plastic inserts from a make-up jar as bases for beaded dew drops. 

The bottom dew drop is painted interfacing that has been stuffed with green scraps.




Here I've quilted the flower and shadow. The branch has been enhanced using Derwent Watercolor pencils. I colored in the shading after doing the quilting. The large flower has also been enhanced with the pencils.  I used a metallic silver thread to quilt the flower.
 

I used one of the plastic inserts as a base for the beaded flowers and leaves. The insert had 3 holes in it so I could sew it into place. It gave me a 3 dimensional base on which to do the beading. I used size 11 glass beads.  There are also crystal beads edging the large "dew drop". 

Last of all, I used the watercolor pencils to add more shading and highlights to the background. I followed the quilting lines.
 Compare this photo to the one above that just shows the quilting and you can see the difference the pencils made.  I also added crystal beads to the top of the stem.




























I finished the edge with a binding made from the same fabric as the stem. It is enhanced with yarn and free motion zig zag stitching done with Madiera FS20 Metallic thread.

This was a challenge to interpret and I loved doing it. It's really fun using a variety of techniques that we don't normally associate with quilting.  Of course, that's what I love about art quilting.

Here is the next photo that I'll be working with: I'm already playing with the idea of using real rocks in the piece.

Look what happens when the photo is turned on it's side.

 

Interesting Isn't it? 

I'll be getting started on this one as soon as I return from a wonderful trip to Ponchatula, LA.

Creating Always,

Karen