My initial list of new techniques to explore with my challenge piece was too long and ambitious. "Oh," thought I, "you could be opening a can of worms." So I resolved to focus on stitching by machine and painting.
I liked the idea of adding to the needlework journal I started a few years ago (two pages started, none finished) and I had a template for the shape. It measures about ten inches square. I'll decide how to bind it when I have a few more pages.
I searched out all the textured, neutral fabrics in my stash, chopped them into rectangles and collaged and fused them onto batting and heavy-weight interfacing. I like the texture that the close quilting adds. I then mixed green paint with gel medium and gave the whole thing a wash, followed by some foliage-like streaks and stencilled posies. I wanted the background to reflect the ungainly, cartoonish hen I had planned. I threadpainted the hen (a first!) and finished just as I was getting the hang of feathers. Is there a sweet little bluebird or a regal rooster to come?
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