Friday, March 18, 2011

Leaves of Green/Red Roses Too






This evening I went to North Little Rock with my daughter, and friends, Micah and Cheri. We met my sister-in-law and her daughter, Gina, had a lovely dinner, then strolled around galleries, etc., at the ArtWalk in Argenta. A really good time was had by all.....lots of talking and laughing. And, of course, inspiration. Truly, though, I believe I was more inspired by the artists I was WITH rather than by what we saw. Although the art was very nice, the music on the street was quite catchy and the food was good, these five women just 'made' the whole evening.

I knew when I got back home that a blog post was long overdue and I also knew what I was going to show you. Even though I made this little mixed media piece of art.......I'm kinda pleased with it. I don't always say that. This is an 8 inch x 10 inch painted canvas......upon which is mounted a piece of painted and embroidered quilt batting. Yes - quilt batting. I'm not sure how many quilt batting painters there are, but I'm pretty sure the idea is fairly unique and I know my design is....it was great fun to make.

Last fall, I was asked to make an item for the HGTV Forum event taking place in April and this is what I decided to do. I want to do more, but I never do two identical projects, so this is the ONLY one of it's kind and will remain that way. This was mailed today and it was hard to pack the box...as I knew I would never see this little piece of work again....but then, I also like the idea of some unknown person getting this and enjoying it.....hopefully for a very long time.

I'm thinking I could tell you how to do your own version of this.......perhaps in a little tutorial.
If you'd like that...let me know and I might see what I can come up with. For now, let me say that I used a primed canvas and a scrap of thin quilt batting....like Warm & Natural. I painted the batting first, then the canvas. I looked at these two items for a very long time before an idea hit me. Once that happened, I set about doing the stitching. By now, of course, if you read this blog often, you know that my favorite part of my work is the actual stitching. You embroider the batting before sewing it to the canvas. Well, I can explain that later.....just know that it's done in steps....and the sky is the limit, I guess, in what all you could do with this idea.

I knew before I made it that I wanted some of the lyrics to "What a Wonderful World" (that beautiful song!) to be written on the piece, as the song is what inspired my idea. So.....to inspire YOU...here are the lyrics:

"WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD"
Robert Thiele and George D. Weiss

I see trees of green....red roses too
I see them bloom for me and for you
And I think to myself...what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue...clouds of white
Bright blessed days...dark sacred nights
And, I think to myself...what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow...so pretty...in the sky
Are also on the faces...of people...going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying...I love you.

I hear babies cry...I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself...what a wonderful world.

Because of the events of the last week....these words mean even more to me and the planet and my blogging friends (wherever you are on this earth) are ever so much more special. Life is so fragile.....take care out there. pat

25 comments:

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

What a lovely painting and stitchery piece of art. Love it. And No I have not heard of painting and stitching on batting. VBG Lovely Hugs Judy

fiberdoodles said...

I absolutely LOVE this! So beautiful!

Shelly said...

Please Please give us a little tute! As long as I don't have to draw! Lol...Love it.

Skoots1moM said...

i'd love making something in this medium too...more tutting, plz, hahahah!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your piece - and would love to make one, too, Please? :)

The poetry is extremely apt.

Linda

Sherry said...

Friend Pat, I know that you and I have each felt at times that we were better at following instructions than coming up with original ideas but you're wrong!!! This is beautifully original and I love it. And, after reading these comments, I think you'd better get that tutorial ready!

allie aller said...

I am in LOVE!
Do please post a tutorial of this most original technique for us...that would be so kind.
Beautiful!!!

Blissful Banter of a Creative Crafter said...

I would love to see a tutorial!
Analisa

ChrisTea said...

Pat ... Bee-you-tea-ful. I don't know how you can part with it. You're just a talented little bugger, aren't you? :-D
Christy
botm2@yahoo.com

May Lynne Gill said...

It is absolutely gorgeous, and I, too, would love to know the steps you took to complete it. Thank you for sharing!

May Lynne Gill said...

Simply gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing...

Vivian said...

Pat, you never cease to amaze me. I see new talent in you all of the time. This is a great piece of art and what a great idea. I would love to see tutorial.

Anonymous said...

great idea and gorgeous pieces of art. lovely way to display your art. I also would like to see a tutorial.

Sheila said...

No, I haven't heard of stitching on batting,It is very beautiful. Please, would love a tutorial.

NickiLee said...

Hi Pat! Would you believe I saw your gorgeous piece of art before I even came to your blog to check it out? Yep. Thearica emailed me a picture of it when she received it in the mail. I will be attending the 5th Annual HGTV COF Quilting Retreat in April and can't wait for my name to be pulled as the winner! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I was so excited to know you had made it for us as a prize. I will be staying at Thearica's house 4 days before the event so I'm thinking she better check my suitcase before we leave for the Retreat. LOL! Thank you so much for doing this for our big Annual 5th!

Biug big hug!
Nicki Lee

Robin said...

What an amazing piece of art! You have again touched my heart. Keep up the good work.

Amy said...

Miss Pat, this is just beautiful! I just love everything you do!

Judy Hartman said...

You are an amazing artist and what an original idea! I would love to see you do a tutorial. A treasure!!

Thearica said...

It is here and words cannot describe how beautiful it is!! yes, I had to unwrap it!! One of my committee members was here today and she could not quit looking at it!

Thank you so very much for sending this for our retreat! You are an awesome artist!!

Unknown said...

i am SO happy you joined us on the artwalk! i'd say we made some memories. LOVED LOVED LOVED getting to finally see your studio house!! it is quite amazing.
these little mixed media pieces of stitched and painted scenes are beautiful and definitely a Patricia Eaton signature original! LOVE them!

Vicki Boster said...

Pat - what a gorgeous gorgeous work of art. Truly you continue to blow me away with your artistry and crafting. This is beyond beautiful - WOW!!

Vicki

Cobi said...

this piece is gorgeous, I love it very much. I feel like trying it myself. I've been taking lots of photographs of our spring getting started. Good for inspiration. thank you for sharing.

Kathy said...

I would love to see a small tutorial on how to do this. Thank you, it is beautfiul.

FredaB said...

this looks like so much fun and a tutorial would be great if you find the time.

Hugs

FredaB

Anne said...

Amazing, amazing, amazing! Brilliant idea to use the painted batting to give the piece extra interest and texture. I've not seen another art piece like yours, so I am in awe. Your embroidery is just perfect! The lyrics you added are echoed in the way the batting seems to bring forward part of the "leaves of green and the red roses," as if the viewer has experienced an epiphany and discovered a new-found appreciation for the beauty we often take for granted.

Just marvelous, Pat! I love it.

A Bit of Heaven

A Bit of Heaven
An original designed wall quilt with my vision of heaven on earth.