Unexpected Detours

Wasn't it Thomas Edison who said something like....

I haven't failed. I've just figured out 10,000 ways how not to make a light bulb?

Well. I think I've figured out 10,000 ways how not to make a lace stumpwork petal.

When last we met, I was running off to fuse the cotton bobbinet and the silk tulle to silk organza to begin the process of making 15 stumpwork petals...which, I did.

I tried lots of variations...some worked, some didn't...but when I happened to find a vintage piece of fine metal lace in my stash...I decided that would make the perfect petal. The right color, an old expensive feel to it...Well, long story short, it didn't. Too varied of holes...the metal didn't work with the wire, holes too big for the daintiness of the petal, etc...

I felt so terribly guilty about fusing a piece of this gorgeous old metal lace and then I couldn't use it...

That I decided I had to use it somewhere in the piece.

And that's when this little old-silver flower was born.

A shadow of a flower...

It isn't front and center...it isn't the star of the show...

But it sets the stage for understated elegance.

And Thomas Edison would be proud. I have come up with an approach that I think will work for my lace petals. Subject to revision, of course.

I'm off to swim across the Chesapeake Bay right after I hit "Publish Post". It's hot. And I feel a little nervous so I'm glad I was distracted by this post this morning.

See you tomorrow.

Should all go well...