Friday, June 15, 2012

Mother Sew Dear

“Mother Sew Dear” is the title of one of the Precious Moments figurines, and I always think of my mother when I see that one. As I’ve mentioned here before, she was quite the seamstress. She still has her Singer sewing machine, though she doesn’t use it now.

Multi-media art is very new to me. I am terribly inexperienced, but I do enjoy my attempts. Recently I decided to “tackle” a canvas—sometimes there are too many elements for a tag! So, I used an 8x10 stretched canvas as the platform for a sewing theme project to take to Mother soon, hoping it will cheer her, in her illness.

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First, I covered the canvas with gesso. I painted the edges of the frame with Making Memories Cranberry acrylic paint. Then I covered the canvas with Studio matte medium and laid an actual pattern down, scrunching it up to make wrinkles.

Then I stamped a couple of sewing theme impressions onto pattern material (using Ranger Archival Cobalt), gently tore the edges around the images, and used medium to apply them. I liked the look of the multi-thickness of the pattern pieces, and so then tore strips of pattern and glued them down all over, as a collage. (Thanks to Marjie Kemper for sending me some authentic patterns to work with!) Probably the greatest challenge of the entire project was trimming the excess pattern material from the edges. I’m NOT a good cutter!

For the focal point of the canvas, I used a tag that I had made a few weeks ago, swapping out the flowers from the original tag (I was never happy with them). I added a flower from my stash, and I love the Wendy Vecchi sewing machine element. Thinking of the sewing notions Mother always had on hand, I added some measuring tape, buttons and ric-rac.

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Proverbs 31, and the description of the “virtuous woman” in that reference well describes my mother. So, I pulled a portion of that reference that is relevant to sewing.

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So, Mother, if you’re reading this, we’ll have to find a place to display this, next time I visit!

14 comments:

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I'm oozing with excitement here!!!! BARBARA!!!! Holy Cow WOW!!! All of your firsts have been amazing, but this canvas takes the cake! I'm impressed beyond words, and this is one gorgeous piece of ART!!!! I love how you incorporated the May tag, and that Scripture is perfect for a Mother...the best!!! The whole color scheme is eye candy to me! Lady, you rock and roll creatively and I am so inspired by you!!!!!!

Kathy Eddy said...

This is just an amazing piece and I'm sure your Mother will love it!

Gloria said...

How lovely! What a treasured piece creation, and the memories behind it. My mother, also, was a wonderful seamstress, and painter, knitter, crocheter, bridge player, piano player and singer. Now she sits each day in a nursing home (over 3 years), sleeps, eats and tries to watch TV. Her hearing and vision are going, she has arthritis in her hands and knees, and can no longer do anything to bring her pleasure. My Dad died in January. They were married for 62 years last Christmas Eve. I know your sweet work of art will bring your Mother joy. {Sorry for rambling...}

Barbara said...

Anita, thanks so much! I'm honored to be so highly complimented by someone who is a true inspiration to ME! If you could know how this sort of thing is such a stretch for me--I have never been anything near a craft-er, much less an artist. So, multi-media is such an entirely new "arena" for me. Thanks for the encouragement!

Barbara said...

Thank you, Kathy, she already saw the blog post and is excited! Thanks, Gloria, and thanks for sharing about your parents.

Bethan said...

absolutely beautiful!

Lisa H said...

That's wonderful! Your mother will love it. =)

Anna said...

Oh this is delightful! It's an amazing gift for your mother! It is a tribute to be treasured! Thanks for sharing it with us!!

We are a family of seamstresses here too. My mother clothed us all while we were young and by 13 I was making my own clothing. I sewed for many years until I just couldn't keep up with kids, job, house and sewing too!

Sometimes I look at my sewing machine and serger and swear I hear them calling my name, but I don't think the arthritis in my hands would make it very easy to thread the needles anymore.

Barbara said...

Anna, thank you SEW much for sharing your family story here. Memories are so valuable, aren't they!

Jenny Marples said...

What a great use for that fabulous tag. Love anything sewing related and this is beautiful. Hugs, Buttons x

Candy C said...

Barbara...your canvas is simply amazing! I totally love everything about it..the colors, the design, all of the embellishments..just totally WOW! Love your write up and sharing your story of what inspired you to create such a beautiful piece. Just a real work of art and one you should be very proud of! Thanks for sharing your amazing art with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

mommyof5kidz said...

Beautiful card! Love everything! Thank you for playing along with us at Really Reasonable Ribbon!

Marjie Kemper said...

How cool is this? I bet you smile every time you walk past it. Truly beautiful and a wonderful tribute too.

Barbara said...

Bonnie, it's actually not a card, but a canvas. Thank you.