Reflections.
That's what I decided would be the subject that would tie all my crazy quilt journal blocks together, trying to incorporate mirrors into each one.
This shell block I'm working on now is all about the shell seeking that Jim and I do when we visit my father in Naples, Florida every year.
I'm attempting to convey the feelings of beauty and lightness that captivate us as we walk along at the water's edge and I hope to honor the treasures that we've collected there.
The subject of today's work is the Red Sea Whip.
Until this morning I thought it was a red sea fan. That was until I did a little more research and discovered that it's most likely a long sea whip. A sea whip is actually a soft coral from the gorgonian family, an animal not a plant, and has small tentacles that extend from polyps along the branches to capture plankton.
I've been lucky to find three red/purple sea whips in Naples. The one in the first picture was sent to Marty Trahan because she loves them so. Hi Marty!
That leaves me with two. This big one I keep in my china closet...
And the smaller one below, I used as the pattern for the red sea whip I stitched onto my block today. I photocopied the fan on my printer at 80% so it would fit on the block. Traced it on tissue and transferred the design...
I went a bit overboard with that one variegated seam treatment over which I wanted to stitch the whip.
It was kind of busy and I was afraid it would fight with the sea whip rather than recede behind it...so I added some of that metal mesh ribbon as a seaweed backdrop to calm the area a bit.
I love crazy quilting for this reason...If you don't like something, you change it until you do...
And here's what the entire block looks like at the end of today.
The next elements I have to figure out are a little more complex...interpreting a nine-armed sea star and a sea urchin that Jim found one day...
I haven't figured those out yet. I better get out a doodle cloth.
See you next time shell friends.
24 comments:
Susan you are amazing! It can't be said often enough... This is going to be another beautiful block. It's well on its way already... LOVE the sea whip. Your stitching is so realistic.
Looks great! You sure found a perfect match in that thread. And it looks wonderful with the peachy fabric, too.
This looks unbelievable and I really enjoy your talent.
Nana
Such a pleasure to visit with you and watch your creations grow.
ooooooooooo very pretty and gorgeous stitching too ... *one day I will be somewhere??? near as good as you :)
hope you manage to work them out :) love mouse xxxx
I have never been to Florida and never even HEARD of Sea Whip. You captured it perfectly. I love it when you show the techniques that you are using. Its all so amazing to me.
xx, Carol
I do believe I might have a couple of sea whips in my collection of shells and beach bits.
I am totally in awe of all of your creations.
Thank you so much for being the inspiration that you are.
FlowerLady
Your sea whip is beautifully done, and I like the use of the metal mesh ribbon-that's a great idea.
Oh wow, what a difference the metal mesh made!
A great solution to the too visible seam treatment behind the Sea Whip. A Sea Whip.... We always learn something new when we visit you.
Deb
as of today, right this minute, i am convinced that there was an artist riding on the dinosaur-doom-asteroid! how else could we possibly have gotten such color into our oceans!!!
ps- i had to turn WV back on on my blog...i got spammed right off the button!
I think you are definitely conveying lightness with this block and I am so envious of the fact you can find coral like this along your coastline.
This is so lovely, and makes me wish that I lived next to the coast! You really matched the thread for your sea whip just perfectly. What a great idea of using the mesh, it really made a big difference. So beautiful.
That fix was really impressive. At first I didn't get what the issue was but then I looked back at what you were doing and really 'saw' what you could see and then I thought how magic is that fix. It looks so right. I bet that excites you. Thanks for sharing. I learn so much from reading your blog.
The block is looking beautiful so far! I love your interpretation of the sea whip, and I can't wait to see how you do the urchin and star. :)
Your red sea whip is incredible...in life and in stitchery. The mesh ribbon behind it looks like frothy foamy sea water...perfection. Your attention to detail is stunning. You are amazing Susan Dear...
The mesh ribbon was a great idea, creating just the right semi-opaque froth!
LOL! Hi, Susan! So funny, I saw that first picture and was just thinking "I wonder if that is the same thing she sent me?" and then you answered the question before I even asked it. ;0)
This is super gorgeous!
How lovely! -sus
That is exactly what I like about crazy quilting too: changing things till you like them. Though, when you start CQ you have to find the guts to do so.
Guess I should be calling the three "try-out" blocks I've been experimenting on "doodle cloths." I love and will probably use your idea of covering an overly busy seam treatment. Thanks for another wonderful post!
Your red sea whip is spectacular and I love how you used the silver mesh to calm things and really highlight the sea whip stitching! Brilliant!!
Oohhhh ~ love the pop of this color! Not only do I get o see such pretty things, but I learn new things as well!
I didn't know that----I thought they were fans also!! Your embroidered interpretation is just amazing- as is your ability to transform nature into beautiful artistic creations. I love everything you do. This quilt block is going to be so lovely--
Vicki
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