"MUSCOVY"

 "MUSCOVY"

20 1/2" X 31

Interpretation from photograph taken by Natalie Rowe

Pieced

Rawedged fused applique

Machine quilted

SOLD to a Private Collector

I hope all of you enjoyed this journey with me.  It was an unexpected journey  as today when I finished this piece the owner of this farm reported that she took the light colored lab, Sophie into the vets for a check up because she was limping.  Turned out to be cancer and she had to be put to sleep.  Such a beautiful dog gone too soon.

I am so sad, yet happy that I added these two dogs to this piece.  Now Sophie will live on the farm where she was so happy with her buddy Tristan.

Ducks Ducks Ducks

 Last night and today I worked on the ducks.   Lots of single feathers to add on to each one.

The feathers will be blended together better with the use of thread...I am excited to bring them to life with the quilting now.  Details in the beaks and feet will also be added with the thread.  It is the quilting that transforms them .

Getting ready to begin.....this may take a few days.  Once the ducks are quilting more will be added.

Birch Tree

I have added the birch tree to the background, using individual leaves in a soft yellow.  I like the addition of this color to the scene and the background.  Hopefully I will quilt it this afternoon and then move forward into that grassy area in front of it.

Most of my time has been outside.  Not only has it been in the 50's but it has been sunny and not windy which is a big change from our long winter.  So had to start walking with dogs again which has made them so happy as well as the big job of yard cleanup.  Now all the beds are raked and cleaned up in both the front and back of the house and last night we got some rain so there are signs of tulips and daffodils poppy through the mulch.   I know there might be some bad weather up ahead yet but at least there are the signs of the end of winter out there now.

Beginning The Construction

 I finished quilting the entire background so today I began the beginnings of all the details starting with what is the furthest in the distance which in this case is a line of leafless trees or large shrubs and a line of evergreens.    The evergreens will have a birch tree with yellow leaves on it in front of them so I do not worry about making them perfect as much of them will be hidden.

Here is how it looks in its full view.

Then I sketched  the ducks on tissue.  For those who are new to my blog, I do that so I can lay the sketch on both the quilt background to be sure of proportion and placement and also I use it as a guide when constructing the object on my teflon sheet .

I always make my building some what perfectly in the sketch but when I construct it out of fabric I free cut it so it is just a bit off making it not only look more real but to add some movement and interest to the structure.

Here they both are pinned on the background and I am happy with the size of them as well  as how nicely they fit the space.  The ducks will be moved apart a big but you can still see they will work out well in the foreground, giving the piece the depth it needs.

So the part I enjoy the most is beginning...stay tuned for changes to keep coming each day.  Well hopefully each day....it is the weekend so may get distracted with a few other things.

Muscovy Ducks

I have begun a new quilt inspired by this photograph by my friend Natalie Rowe.  She gave me permission to use it quite a while ago and now is the time.  I have had it in my ideas folder way too long.

So here is the background which I pieced this time.  There will be lots of changes coming as soon as I finish quilting it.  This piece is smaller...and measures approximately 32" X 21".