This began because I was blocked.  The stress and worry over what is happening in the USA was keeping me from sleeping, and also pushed my sketching and art creativity out the window. 

Hand sewing is a meditation. Slow-stitching my way as I decided what I wanted to do with the fabrics in my hand.

Beading is also meditation, one bead at a time, in and out with the needle.  Very occasionally I was able to string 3-4 beads at a time, such as I did in the Tiger stripes or the beaded edges.

I sewed them all with the help of the Siamese Savitri, because she fights to try to sit on my lap at all times. She doesn’t make it easier. I put my foot down when beads are involved. She will sneak one paw slowly toward a bead, to steal if if I let her. Cute but annoying!

The fabrics are either upholstery samples from past projects which our clients gave back to us, or were no longer able to be ordered, or pieces of fabric scraps.  I’d tell you who made/sold them but the labels are long gone.

The trims used are also waste, bits from old projects.  Thankfully we saved worthwhile scraps!

I don’t know how I’d frame them… Probably in a raised box frame.

PALM SCRAPS

Above, the palm scraps. These fabrics all had a palm or butterfly pattern on them, except for the strip of cream on the bottom.  It is a sort of mini-quilt, with embroidery.

LEAPING TIGER 

If I remember correctly it came in several colors and I loved this fabric pattern.  I am showing the second image with the flash so you understand the fabrics present brighter than they show without the flash, which shows the beadwork better.

Selective seed beads in 11/0 size, with two flat saucer beads for the eyes. 

Don’t all tigers have blue eyes?

Stay tuned for more beaded art.  Some will be for sale.

Oh, and obviously I found a way to insert the dang images… Crisis over.

☾

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©D. Katie Powell.
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