Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Musing on Wings While De-icing


Yesterday's snow was topped with ice overnight so we are still stuck at home. I did stitch a bit last night on my Baroque Fish Pet Guardian Angel but worked on the basketweave background, not exactly a riveting photo op!

But I've been trying to decide what stitch to use for the fish's head and wings. I think I have a stitch for the head (the original model is done in a fascinating stitch and I'm going to use parts of it but a different foundation) but the wings are still up in the air, so to speak.

So I did what I always do when I am wondering what to do with angel wings or with Santas--I visit the masters of that art. In this case, I'm talking about the website of Joan Thomasson, who is known for her angels. Once you arrive, click on Catalog on the left side of the page, then lick on Angels Series I. Barbara (Pink with Fur) is the 18th angel from the bottom. You'll see the stitched version. The plain painted canvas is above. She just happened to be on eBay recently (sold for $33 plus shipping, by the way.)

http://www.stitchinstuff.com/

I like the painted version of the wings with each feather section outlined in a contrasting color. I also like the sort of eyelet stitch Joan used. (I suspect it is actually buttonhole stitch with long legs that end in the same hole to make the eyelet.) So I'm wondering if I can use one of my metallics to stitch around feather shapes and fill them with eyelets in my green and blue Splendor silks for the Baroque Fish's wings.

I'm going to try this, possibly tonight. But now I need to get the ice off the front porch!

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow