My first journal post 3/7/04

I’ve decided to keep an on-line journal to try and document my current work. I’m working on several exciting projects and have several more just waiting to be started. I’m hoping that this year I can achieve a new set of goals. I’m working on 2 projects for the Myths & Legends Challenge. The first one is a quilt I’ve been thinking of making for years, based on Deirdre of the Sorrows. I found an image from the Scotland National Museum by John Duncan, I’ve been unable to find out when it was done. So far I’ve blown up the image to a size I want to work with 40+ inches. Now I’m waiting, a bit impatiently I might add, for some flesh colored fabric from eQuilter. It should be here by next weekend, and then I’ll start painting my face and hands for the quilt. My normal way of doing things is to wait until the last minute. But, this time I am so excited and my idea is very clear in my head. I want this quilt to express exactly what I’m trying to show. Maybe this is why I’m starting it so early.

My next project for Myths is a beaded doll. This doll is based on one I made for a challenge for Quilting Art magazine. Unfortunately my normal way of doing things didn’t provide for a mix-up at the post office and the doll was returned to me by the PO. Oh well, my friend Aeron was gifted with the doll.

I want to make this doll 2 sided – I also want to do it in beads. I must be nuts because I want to do a large beaded doll. I want one side to be the day view and the other to be the night view of the same location. I decided to make this doll 13″ tall – so that it fits in with size requirements of several shows. I’m not sure that this will be done in my lifetime but I’m encouraged with the speed of using Megan Noel’s technique. The first photo shows the image enlarged, and the front and back pieces of ultrasuede cut out, ready for beading. I will be using mostly seed beads

The smaller doll which is beaded front and back has taken me around 25 hours to bead. The beading on the rolling hills has taken me just under 3 hours. At this speed I can see this project actually ending. Of course – I could stop 1/2 way and only do the front… I could always add the back at a later date right?