One More
“Just one more step back.” This is one of a variety of last words I file away in my brain. They provide me with a macabre chuckle. Perhaps my sense of humor comes from my mother. She was an editor and writer. Although her tombstone is the typical name, date of birth and date of death, she did joke she would like the epitaph, “She Never Missed a Deadline” added as well. Not to worry, this post won’t focus on death or the macabre. Instead I am sharing one more artwork I whipped up this week.
Solo Exhibition
My solo exhibition opens on September 2nd. There are many steps that must be taken to prepare the exhibit before it can be hung. Last week I assessed the art I have available to hang that would fit the wall. That was when I realized I needed just one more 8″ x 8″ wrapped canvas work. Fortunately, I maintain a potential possible quilts file, included in that, is a series of baby woodland animal patterns.
Making the Quilt
Honestly, how could I resist that adorable baby deer? However, it is one thing to find a pattern and quite another to utilize it. Step one was to stitch a background to place the deer. This is why it pays to have a fabric stash. I chose a green fabric that suggests grass and one of my hand painted sky fabrics. I prefer a gently undulating seam when piecing landscapes.
My Bernina 990 allows to me scan an image of my hooped fabric. Then the image is sent to the computer screen on the machine. I import the embroidery and place it where I think it looks best.
In order to help position the fawn in the hoop, I needed to know exactly where my 8″ x 8″ borders were on the bottom and left side of the pieced fabric. Time to extol the virtues of painter’s tape again. I love how it stays in place, but can be removed easily without leaving adhesive behind. When I positioned the fawn, I set it approximately 1″ from both the left and bottom borders. I also made sure it was standing in parallel to the bottom.
If you follow my work, then you know I wouldn’t stop at simply embroidering a deer on two pieces of seamed fabric. I felt compelled to add a few flowers, fill the ground with more grass and quilt the sky.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
Not only did I start and finish Quiet Wonder this week, I even managed to start assembling my 2026 Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt.
I decided to add settings and corner stones to surround the blocks. This gives each cat their own window or nap space. Next week or the week after I will be adding mini mice scattered around the quilt. Should be fun.
Question of the Week
What would you add to a famous last words list?
I’m linking up to the following posts:
That wee deer piece is delightful!
As for a ‘famous last words’ item…well, decades ago I saw this phrase on an appliqueed banner in the church I attended, and it has become a bit of a watchword for me ever since (not that I’m good at it but then…): “Bloom where you’re planted.”
Thank you, Margaret. My audience are the seniors and staff at our town’s senior center. Last time I exhibited there two people bought an artwork. In both instances it was to be gifted to someone who loved the subject matter. I can imagine someone attending a baby shower for an anticipated grandchild or great grandchild thinking Quiet Wonder would make a perfect gift.
Forgot to say, love you last words. I’ve heard that sentiment before, but it is even better on a tombstone.
Your deer is so dear. Last words ‘I got nothin’
Glad you enjoyed the deer. In this case, nothin’ is somethin’. Perfect.
When you showed the deer in the plan for the project (first photo), I couldn’t picture how you would piece a deer with that background, lol! But of course you are embroidering it, and it is gorgeous! I love the added grass and flowers, too. I hope Quiet Wonder makes a sale for you. I love your mom’s idea for her last words! Mine might be “she did the best she could!”
The image on the screen is only what was in the hoop. I have the advantage of first seeing the whole pieced background and then being able to see it in the hoop. Also, the thread colors tend to be duller on the screen. Thanks for the well wishes.
Great last words. Isn’t that what most of us strive for.
I didn’t come this far to only come this far. . .famous last words. . .
The embellishments sure added the right touch to that cute deer!
Thank you for playing along with my famous last words. Your choice of last words resonates with me, from time to time. Appreciate the affirmation that the embellishments enhance my deer.
Your thread painting brought that little fawn to life!
Live each day to the fullest. My last words.
Kind of you to say, Gail. Always good to appreciate every moment of a day.
Love the setting for the cute baby deer-it turned out perfect. Last words: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
In the vernacular of our home, “it turned out close enough.” High praise. 🙂 Thank you.
I first saw your last words posted behind the secretary at my children’s middle school. Surprisingly, or probably not so surprisingly, teachers would arrive at her desk with an “emergency” that they needed help with. Would she mind…Of course, if we don’t plan our quilts it is easy to run out of fabric, thread or stitch ourself into a corner.
Back home from vacations, I’m catching up on the posts I missed. I loved reading about your thread painting journey, how you are preparing for the exhibition, and now I admire this new and cute little piece of art. I can’t wait to see the little mice on the RSC quilt!
Thank you for sharing and linking up!
I enjoyed your vacation vicariously. Such lovely photos of the places you went. So happy you enjoyed my learning journey.
Hi Gwyned, I can imagine the amount of work needed to get a solo show ready. I love your quiet wonder. The FMQ really adds a lot to it. Thanks so much for linking up to I Quilted This! Have a great week.
The hardest solo exhibition is the first one. Not sure how many I have done now, less than 10, but more than 5. So, like most things, you learn from experience and develop a rhythm. This is a small exhibition. There will be 13 artworks. I confess, I am struggling with the curatorial/artist statement at the moment.
Happy to hear you enjoyed Quiet Wonder. A few or more well placed FMQ stitches did help fill in the scene.