Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Fantsy Sunset Reflection, Oceanside

This has been another fun challenge! Here is how my architecture piece evolved.... after many, many sketches of ideas I settled on this as my starting point.....
While spending time on the west coast in July I was mesmerized by the gorgeous sunsets over the ocean so gravitated to bright yellows, oranges, reds and ocean blues so I started creating a background of wavy blues...you may have seen this posted earlier as my 'false start'....
.. but realized that wouldn't work so set those aside and stitched a couple blues together in strips as if boards on a house. 
Then I experimented with how I would represent the sunset reflecting in the windows ..... I sampled water colour pencils on water colour paper and stitched to fabric which remained an option. Then I tried water colour pencils on fabric but that was not bright enough for me.
I may return to that idea of water colour paper stitched to fabric for another project but I decided on a crazy mosaic-like patchwork. I cut and laid tiny bits to fusible web. I wondered if I would regret not having put the fusible web onto each of the fabrics and cut those, thus creating less ravelly edges and less need to stitch like crazy to hold the edges down but I'm happy with my choice as it gives a more rustic feel to the piece. I started with more yellow in the center which would become the center of the sunset and also the reflection on the door window.
I drew a pattern so I could cut out the pieces to fit our designated 16 by 16" size.
I pieced the door with two different browns. Later I cut out the window and laid the reflection under the door to create the window.
Suddenly dozens of options appeared as I started laying out the windows and beams. Perhaps I should have one long window on one side, should it come to the ground or should there be blue at the bottom, should the top beam be horizontal or should it slope, etc, etc. I took dozens of photos of different layouts. Below are just a few.



Decisions finally made so I started sewing. I used clear thread to stitch like mad the little bits down on the windows, satin stitched the window pane lines and around the windows, created little wooden beams to go around the door window and opted for a machine stitched handle. (no wood carving or hand embroidery B and J!)
When the blue had seemed too bright I was thinking I would add some paint at the end to scruff up the house but I decided that I liked the bright look as after all I had begun to think of this as my "Fantasy Sunset Reflection, Oceanside". I did add a little touch of gold and red sparkle paint to bits of the windows.
So completed my architecture challenge piece! Now I'm thinking should I hang it from some driftwood? Perhaps a piece at the top and another at the bottom? What do you think? 
Thanks so much Nicolette for a great challenge! Just seeing all those incredible inspiration photos was fun and then letting those inspire a piece was great!

8 comments:

  1. All three of these last posts are wonderful. Great job

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  2. I love your interpretation of the challenge. I can almost see myself looking at your windows and feeling the sun! I love the driftwood too!

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  3. LOL! I was so looking forward to seeing your attempt at wood carving! This turned out beautifully. I agree with Lisa...I can see the reflection of the sunset in the windows. and Oh yes it really does need to be hung with driftwood.

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  4. without having read Lisa and Brigitte's comments, I was thinking "I can feel that sunset on my face". Love your interpretation, and the colours - they just glow. Your fantasy sunset seems to work for several of us! I love the driftwood hangers idea.

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  5. An interesting use of the theme with eye dazzling results. It looks like several of use spent time dealing with tiny pieces of fabric.

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  6. Love your take on the architecture theme! So cleverly thought and worked out. It takes me back to wonderful sunsets I’ve seen in the Mediterranean! Great to see all the steps you took. I completely forgot to take photo’s of my construction.

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  7. I think the driftwood looks great. I did momentarily think of doing beach boxes, which are little tiny buildings we have here and in the UK on the beach. ours in melbourne are all brightly coloured. but I think I like your interpretation better, and I love the refelections in the windows, and the way they are set off by the blue.

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  8. I can feel the suns rays, this is another one that just makes me happy to look at. Love your use of color, the blue and oranges really play well off each other. And, I am amazed at how many of us used tiny pieces in this challenge!

    I like the idea of hanging it from the driftwood, I think it adds to the ambiance of the piece.

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