Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Minutia Of The Moment


Yesterday was a work-a-thon in the studio. I think I spent at least ten hours out here, which, with my decrepitude, is a lot......  ;-) 
So today I thought it appropriate to post a few detail photos of what has been going on.
Each of the tassels is cut from regular fringe, making sure not to nip important threads holding the top together. Then a bead and a sequin are added as a visual stop where it joins the bullion fringe. These all have to be pinned in place in advance so the spacing is right, then hand sewn tightly.

Rosettes were constructed from two lengths of ribbon, sewn atop each other and then gathered, steamed and sewn to the backing. (the camera, or maybe the operator, was having a hard time focusing this morning) Of course, this is by hand too.....


The main candle has pearls and tiny gold beads sewn at intervals on every woven repeat of the fabric; the white cross is purchased then applied to the gold backing and all the gold stitching is freemotion, built up layer after layer until there was enough gold to be visible. That, in itself, was a daunting task, as it is being sewn directly TO THE LARGE CANDLE with the freemotion......
                                              
All the candles have to be basted by hand to the backing and batting before going under the machine for freemotion attachment. I got wise and found a huge hooked upholstery needle that made the work easier and a bit quicker. These blasted things are always a learning curve....by the time you've figured out how to do them  in a manner that is time efficient or better on the body, they are done. (and so are you!)

                                           
Then, when the large tassels are attached, you get to use the needle that could sew up a cow....because the cording is such that it requires both needle and pliers to get the thing through. Again and again and again. There is a lot of weight, they will hang a goodly while and it has to all be very secure.
That's enough for now. I was having a heck of a time loading these pics for some reason this morning so I have no idea what Blogger is going to do with the post......it may be quite abstract! It may be all over the place! Which is kind of how I feel at the moment, physically. Mentally I am focused, but boy, I should have been out of here earlier, and I probably should have laid off the knitting last evening? Perhaps?
Common sense was never one of my better features......
Sorry for the late post and lack of humor in this one. I think I stitched my funny bone underneath something. I need to find it again before they are delivered because I cannot function without it, and no one would read if it was the whiny brain dribble of the past few posts. ;-)
And I really like having you read....and laugh.....
Laughter is a gift to give ourselves every day. Unfortunately, I seem to be in situations frequently where I tend to get overdoses via my own lack of forethought, stupidity and just plain not paying attention to my surroundings.
And no, I have not crawled on the table or stood up on top of the tall stool of late.
Maybe today.......just for the heck of it! LOL!
Go make something, and have fun!


Pax.

29 comments:

marianne said...

these are absolutely beautiful. lots of work, yes, and a work of art to be proud of, yes. sometimes my sense of humor goes into hiding when i'm focused :) wish i could think of something funny to tell you, but i haven't had enough coffee yet....have a great day-

audrey said...

Oh, Anne, GORGEOUS!!! The banners are going to be SO beautiful. No wonder you are crazed with all that teeny little stitching work! In spite of the pain and agony of making them, you must feel a very large sense of pride when you see your completed work hanging.
You've tackled a LARGE undertaking with all the humor you could muster. We've enjoyed the banner journey right along with you!!
The banners are truly beautiful, Anne.
You need to share a picture or two of you hanging upside down, crawling around on the tables, under the tables, etc. (:
Hang in there (no pun intended) - you are almost done!!
((hugs))
audrey

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Marianne....the "lack of coffee" statement was sufficient! That always makes me laugh because I am the same way. If I had done the post last evening, it would have been hunorous!
I was doing good to get it written....lack of coffee! LOL!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Audrey,

I have tried to get DH to shoot some pics of me out here----HA. First, he can't figure out my camera (and won't listen to me). So if someone happens to BE here when I am in one of my throes of work, then there's a pic.
And usually I am so mean, no one wants to come out.....HAHAHA!!!! Seriously, I get too focused and am not a barrel of fun.
They will be lovely when done, and I sooooooo look forward to DONE!!!
Now where are my satin tights....

XXOO!!
Anne

Gayle Pritchard said...

Love hearing about the process, and seeing the ongoing results, Anne. Congrats on getting so far along!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Oh Gayle, believe me, I have another few days of hard push and it should be done.
I am NUTS to do this stuff......no sane person would do it.
I guess that's why I have.... <:)

XXOO!!
Anne

Tristan Robin said...

I can't believe you're tying your own tassels! Amazing. I've attempted it - and they all came out looking like something a cat hacked up. Yours are just beautiful.

These banners are going to be knock-your-socks-off fab!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Tristan.....someday, when there is time, I should do a tutorial on HOW I do these, because it is a lazy way to get a custom look. Yep, it's still work, but it is a whole lot easier than starting from scratch.
And remind me to tell you the powdered hair story.....

XXOO!!
Anne

Leslie said...

Amazing!

Have you thought of a tripod for your close-ups? I am getting on for that reason.

Deborah said...

Oh Anne, so beautiful. What a perfectionist you are. Rest knowning that all of your hard work shows. **kisskiss** Deb

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Oh yes Leslie, I have two tripods. But I was taking pics without contacts in or glasses ON, so everyrthing looked pretty good....in other words, both camera and operator were useless!
Hey, I'm not sure I want to see then in focus...... ;)

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Deb,

I just want them D-O-N-E!!!
And DH showed up home....has to go with the General on a speech. So the flow of work was, shall we say, interrupted??? Oy.
I might not get all that much done today, though I want at least one more hour, then I can keel over...

XXOO!!
Anne

Georgina said...

Holy Moley, woman, I'm already tired just reading the details of your gorgeous banner. Wow, I'm so very impressed!!!

Will be going into the studio today for the first time in several weeks. Time to make the Christmas gifts. Still not feeling my 100% meanness, but, I'm not as young as I used to be!!

Have a great day at creating.

Love ya,
G

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Georgina,

It just sucks when we mellow, doesn't it? LOL!!!!
I have all the candles but the BIG one freemotioned on, and so far, no real nuclear reactions verbally. Glad to hear you're heading back to the studio, as that must mean your household is better.
I don't make things for Christmas anymore---wish I had time but am trying to reroute DH to doing the charitible thing and helping out with the Salvation Army, etc here.
All the Christmas I need is here with the blog and friends.
Take care till all the mean gets back..... ;)

XXOO!!
Anne

Anonymous said...

What beautiful work!! I think this is probably one of the most complicated & time consuming projects I have seen in a long time!!
I am way behind-the-8-ball today...
Have a great one!!
Love,
Marilyn

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Marilyn,

I'm almost afraid to say this, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel!!!!!
And I think I can take a rest break for the afternoon and POSSIBLY finish them tomorrow.....
Obviously I must be missing something! LOL!!!
Eight ball here too....take care!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anna Rosa Designs said...

Hi Anne,
Wow, what a lot of beautiful, creative work you've achieved!

I wish I could lock myself in the studio for ten hours.
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Anna

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Anna Rose,

Just don't lock yourself in THIS studio for ten hours! I walked out pretty much a painful zombie......"I see tassles....I see tassles.....aaaaahhhhh....."
I prefer smaller, more enjoyable stays, but sure did pay off.
SOON---they will be done!
Stay tuned!

XXOO!!
Anne

Jan said...

It all looks so very wonderful, your hours of hard work are evident. You are nearly there, I hope you don't collapse afterwards! You will definitely deserve a rest when these are delivered. I imagine a rest for you will be a few hours of play in your wet studio. Let the paint fly!

Jan said...

P.S. is that a little budgie feather I see stuck under the sheer????

Just kidding;-D

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Jan---LOL!!!! Probably!!! I have lived in fear of one getting in the fusible, after it's all warm and gooey.
I think I'll schedule my nervous breakdown for the day after banner delivery. It seems a good time...;)

XXOO!!
Anne.....heading for the knitting...

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Ah,scheduling a nervous breakdown. Maybe we should have one en masse? Spend an entire day with dark chocolate, beverage of choice, chic lit, and a good looking hunk massaging our feet? Ahh...now THAT would be bliss!
Seriously - I'm blown away by all your work on the banners. They are a complete work of art and, once they're done, I hope you take some time to sit back and realize just what you've accomplished.

Linda and Michelle said...

Wow - I am speechless...these are magnificent!

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

The banners are awesome and I think your fingers are exhausted...take some time to listen to your heartbeat and dance until you can not stand up...well imagine you can dance out loud. Rest and find solace in the fact you are almost done with the task. Smiles will return when you are loving what you chose to do on your own motivation. Peace, Mary Helen

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey MA---yes, the group breakdown would be fun!!!! And lots and lots of chocolate for sure!
I think, had it not been for the illnesses, I would not feel so, hmmmm, stressed and poxed by the banners. There was just too much here going at once.
Have the iron getting hot for todays work..... ;) .....just want *finished* to get here!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Linda! Hoping for a hanging shot of them at the church, when delivered......

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Oh Mary Helen, believe me, when I am done there is going to be one BIG, UGLY HAPPY DANCE!!!!
So tired, and I don't do good work like this, but you're an artist and understand deadlines. They have to be met and this is close.....soooooo close!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Jules of Whimsicalnotions blog said...

wow your work is amazing,hopped here from Marilyns blog.
My first thought on seeing the flame close up was wow thats a work of art in itself and then i laughed cause tahts what the whole thing is a work of art,

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Jules!
Glad you stopped by; those flames looked great in the church---and I am soooo happy they are there!
A whopping BIG project, or as someone said---GIANTIC. ;)


XXOO!!
Anne

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