In an attempt to slightly challenge myself during this year's BJP, I decided to play around with embroidery. I say slightly, because (honestly) I've got so many stupid personal challenges pressing me down these days, I'm looking for the BJP to once again transport me to my happy place while I stitch away the hours and escape the turmoil in my heart.
Pretty bad huh? I did go to the library and got two great embroidery books, so here's hoping February is a little more polished. And if not, well......there's always March.....or April......or, well here's hoping by December the embroidery doesn't look like a 5 year old did it!
Using (of course) Nicole's super-duper-how-did-I-ever-bead-without-it Bead Backing, I drew a flower.
Since January's birthstone is Garnet, I choose a color story of the same (thanks for that stellar idea Tracey!)
And then placed my 'character of the month' in the center of the flower and surrounded it with peyote.
And my first BJP 2012 was born:
I selected this tea pot fabric for the back, as a nod to my sister Laurel, who's birthday is this month. Not only is she mega-KIND, she's also a tea drinker.
The flower looks so cute on my vintage sled outside my door.
Too bad I can't trust the weather to continue being......KIND (ha ha ha ha), so I can leave it out there. It is January after all and this crazy winter of sun and 45 degree weather can't last much longer, can it??
~ Bead Happy and Often ~
11 comments:
WOWZERS this is just gorgeous! I love the embroidery with the bead embroidery! It all flows so well together! Hope your personal challenges don't way you down to much longer!
Well, the embroidery is a beginning. But you are such an amazing artist that you transformed your first embroidery piece into a work of art.
Lovely.
Oh wow! The beading and the beads are beautiful! I'm incorporating monthly bead colors into my monthly CQ project.
Beautiful! I'll be adding regular embroidery to my pieces this year too :-)
Beautiful beginning to this year's project. Your last photo is sure to bring a smile to everyone who sees it...and a reminder that wherever we go today, there is an opportunity for kindness.
Haha you are very welcome! I love this flower! Very simple but effective. I am so glad to "see" you here again this year. You are starting it out with a bang. Hugs girlfriend!
Your flower is a beautiful start to your BJP2012! I hope this weather lasts a long while!
This is beautiful. I love the beading in all the reds. Initially I was considering incorporating the colours of the monthly birthstones in my pieces too (but my first piece has not taken me in that direction after all). Great idea and a lovely execution.
I agree with the others...this is a beautiful piece! Amazing how embroidery, beading, & fabric all work together to create art.
A lovely piece. And being kind is something that we all should focus on. I especially like the way you worked with the limited color palette. It's very effective.
Marty S
Crackpot Beader
I had to go back a post to see what you were planning for the year - great concept! I really like the idea of magnets... may have to think on that for myself.
You do such stunning beadwork that I'm sure you'll get the hang of regular embroidery after some practice. Maybe this first effort will be a reminder to yourself to Be Kind to YOURSELF!
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