Saturday, January 27, 2007

Snowflakes, Grosbeaks, & a bit of Barcelona

I've been working on snowflakes for my friend Christy's Irish dance dress. I started with the simple one first, just to see how it would go with this unusual material, & it didn't go too bad. I decided after this one though to use black Totally Stable instead of white, because the blue fabric is a little transparent, & I think the black behind it looks better. I am leaving the stabilizer in place. It would be a nightmare to try & remove it from this stretchy fabric. Si I guess it's dry clean only.
This snowflake is a stylized French horn, as Christy plays the French horn. Below I've blocked it for you so you can see it better.

Next are wee-bitty fairies, cause don't you know they come from Ireland!
See them there?
Next are just some birds.
Simple.
And speaking of birds....these guys entertained us during dinner today.
He kept digging his beak down in the snow,
& his girlfriend came too.

Aren't they a cute couple?
I'm back to my usual set up, with my mouse pad to the side of the computer instead of on top of it. Much easier to type this way.
Kim commented on it in my last post. It was a souvenir from my favorite place in Barcelona, Spain. The Palau De La Musica Catalana.
The ceiling in the auditorium is the most fantastic stained glass I've ever seen in my life. When you stand under it & look straight up you see this beautiful image of the sun, but from the balcony you see the picture above, where that sun looks like it's going to drip. It was one of the most inspiring places I've ever been in my life. I thank God & Husqvarna Viking every day for that opportunity.
Oh, & the other thing I did today.. I made my reservations & bought my tickets for my Whidbey Island trip in April-May. I'll be teaching (hopefully there will be students), & then taking classes from Rayna Gillman the following week. Can't Wait! I also get to see my kids in Seattle too!
& here's one of those silly things that's fun to do when you don't feel like doing anything productive!
I found the link on Kim's post.
I apparently am an INFP
The IdealistYou are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world.Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships.It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close.But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop.You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist.

16 comments:

Granny Fran said...

Lovely birds! They stand out so well against the snow.
How are you making those snowflakes, they are wonderful?! Is that some of your thread work? That dress is going to be so amazing, she'll be able to dance all the better.

Lori (A.K.A. Elkhoundmom) said...

The snowflakes are amazing. I hope you can post a picture of the dress when it is done.

Anonymous said...

Your bird photos are excellent - what camera set up do you use? Love the snowflakes too - I hope we get to see the completed dress.

The Calico Cat said...

Neat snowflakes - my hubby is a French Horn guy too... I love how you used objects instead of just randon snow flake shapes.

Jen said...

Your snowflakes are gorgeous. That's going to be some dress!
I always enjoy pictures of birds too. Jen

Anonymous said...

oh goodness...Christi and I are getting incredibly excited with each posting of a picture of the dress progress.They're BEAUTIFUL!!!
Wow....so much has happened since last weekend...guess I should give you a call.

Anonymous said...

Those snowflakes are too cool.

Sandra said...

Incredible snowflakes. I hope you're going to get to see her dancing in that costume!
And the grosbeak pictures were fun to see. They are only occassionally seen here - I haven't personally seen any for years.

Anonymous said...

Debra, I knew you were talented, but I had no idea your fame is international until I clicked on your Barcelona link! As I looked at your work on the dance dress, all I could think was what a blast you must be having. Creativity to the nth degree. Stretchy sequin fabric or not, it's a true heirloom you are making.

jenclair said...

I love the snowy beak; such beautiful birds. And the snowflakes are wonderful, too. Can't wait to see the pictures of her wearing her costume!

Ali Honey said...

Glad that snow on your roof and a few drips haven't stopped you creating. Lucky girl getting all that beauty to wear! Cute wee red birds....they must be Cold Feet Twitters.

Feeling Simply Quilty said...

That was a perfect choice of material. The snowflakes glisten like the real thing. What kind of stabilizer did you use, cause I can't imagine all that intricate cutting out of plain fabric-not to mention sewing around the edges.

Rian said...

Those snowflakes are amazing. So sparkly and detailed. I love that they look like kaleidoscopes.

Debra Dixon said...

More exquisite work from your hands!

Carol said...

I love your snowflake. It looks stunning on the black background.

The birds are so cute what a wonderful photograph.

laura west kong said...

Wonderful snowflakes! The dress is going to be amazing. I just love watching it come together.