Monday, June 4, 2012

A Star is Born

Well, despite the busyness of my last week, I did manage to bead embroider the nine-armed sea star I want to place on my seashell block...
 

All the elements I'm including on this journal block are treasures that Jim, Jack and I have found on the beach while visiting my father every Spring in Naples, Florida.  Repeating the same beach-combing routines year after year, has created a familiarity with the flora and fauna that thrives in his coastal home town.  And through this familiarity, we have experienced a good deal of fondness and affinity for the animals, shells and plants that live and die on the beach there.

When Jim found this nine-armed star, it was still alive so we tossed him back after snapping this picture...
 

I'm pretty thrilled to be including him on the block along with the rest of the treasures that wash ashore in Naples.

To be honest, I did experience a good deal of angst and indecision about how to go about stitching the star, eventually deciding to proceed with bead embroidery on ultrasuede.

As I spent hour after hour beading this little guy, I kept thinking what a very expensive experiment this will turn out to be if it doesn't work out. Not expensive in money...but in time...


The proof will be in the next step when I cut the beading out and attach it to the block.  I plan to pad the  base layer with cording so that the star arms curve and are somewhat three-dimensional.

At this point, I'm pleased with the beading but I'm still unsure whether or not it will all turn out well in the end...


Fingers crossed until next time...

23 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

He is beautiful!!!!

This is going to be some block that is for sure. A treasure.

FlowerLady

Cari said...

Oh my gosh...he's beautiful. I can tell you spent a lot of time on him, but well worth it. Thanks for sharing your journey!

Vicky aka Stichr said...

I wonder if this beaut is a girl? She will fit Susan, she will fit.

Wendy said...

Oh my goodness how lovely he is! I can hardly wait to see him on the block in his own special place of honor! What an amazing job you have done. I am looking forward to seeing him with his gold outline added, he is going to be stunning!

MNStitcher said...

Love the sea star thus far - can't wait to see what you do next!

Anonymous said...

precioso felicitaciones ser una gran artista y tener muy buen gusto en las composiciones MARAVILLOSAS

Sarah Sequins said...

Susan, the star is beautiful! I know he'll be amazing when he's finished. :)

flyingbeader said...

The colors are just great. Makes me see a live living creature that you've created. Fantastic.

dot

MeganH said...

It's beautiful :-)

Olga Bogoroditskaya said...

Your work is very much like me! I admire! I love to go to your blog and review your work. A miracle!

allie aller said...

Fingers crossed...it is going to be amazing. ;-)

Elizabeth said...

Looks spectacular so far and I know that it will be amazing!! NO QUESTION!!!

Laurel's Quill said...

Just catching up on your blog, Susan. I've been traveling across the Southwest...LOVE the desert...oh the colors!!!! I loved seeing how your shell block is coming along. You are amazing.

Laurel

Erica said...

Love the star fish Susan. Must have taken a lot of stitching but it is gorgeous.

Judy S. said...

Your hours of beading were certainly time well spent as your star is absolutely amazing! This is going to be yet another fantastic block!

Createology said...

Your beaded starfish is elegant and beautiful. I have no doubt you will succeed in making it extraordinary on your block. Blissful Beading...

Anonymous said...

Looks fabulous.

Fingers crossed :-)

Rachel said...

It's certainly a great success so far, but I know how sometimes it's not possible to be as confident of the next stage as one would like. For what it's worth, I'm sure he'll work beautifully!

Shawkl said...

The beading is gorgeous! Can hardly wait to see the block completed. You know, the suede us similiar to sand...so if you are too worried...you could always cut the suede with gentle curves, leaving the star plenty of room. Attach the larger piece to the block and bead within the sand. Hope this idea is "understandable". Good luck, waiting on pins and needles to see what you do next!
Hugs!
Kathy

Linda H said...

Your sea star is awesome Susan. He will work, I am sure.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Of course it will look great. But I have to tell you that I am blown away by that picture of Jim actually HOLDING a star fish. THAT really excites me!!

Teresa in Music City said...

That's just gorgeous!!!!

Catherine said...

How exciting that must have been to find a live starfish!! Amazing! Love that shot of your husband. Your beaded version is just gorgeous!

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