WIP - Bjorkboda

Found while cleaning my sewing studio this afternoon, buried in a pile o UFO's (Unfinished Objects or in my case Projects!)

I remember now why I put it away, I started attaching stuff to the surface and then got stuck.  I may have to rip it all off now and try something different.

The techniques I used to create this piece are covered in my eBook Rust and Clay Dyeing which can be purchased here.  

The Cottonwood Stand

The Cottonwood Stand at Bjorkboda Marsh

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Near Bjorkboda Marsh in Hamilton County.

Native prairie plants at the marsh.

The marsh has water once again, it took a LOT of rain for the water levels to return to normal.

Bjorkboda Progess

I've started stitching on this piece again, this time with a renewed vision.

Bjorkboda

Am working on my 2013 goals, finishing Bjorkboda is high on the list for the coming year.

The Marsh is Green!

Well after it dried up it rained, but not enough to fill the marsh again, now it's filled with vegetation most of it appears to be fox tail.

Bjorkboda marsh all greened up, can't wait for the rains to fill it again.

Auditioning Threads for Bjorkboda

My YLI waxed cotton threads.

Some Habu Textiles Threads

More Habu Textile Threads

Some natural dyed raw silk yarn, indigo and cochineal dyes.

Indigo and tannin dyed cheesecloth.

More Wind Damage

Bjorkboda Marsh - Cottonwoods

Wind Damage at the Marsh

Lots of trees down at the marsh, we had some storms rip through here last week with high winds. 

One of the younger trees also came down in the wind storm.

WIP - Bjorkboda

 

Having fun with the running stitch.

 

 

 

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Now with more hand stitching, and still plugging along!  I've missed several deadlines but at this point I don't care anymore, I have a vision for this piece and I want that vision to come to life but not in some half hearted fashion. 

In the mean time I'm contemplating dyeing some threads, for hand stitching, for this piece.  I still have the silk layer and the pieces of scrim that were dyed along with these layers and am thinking of starting a second piece for a new series.

 

WIP - Bjorkboda

I'm almost ready for the hand stitching, I filled in a bit more of the piece with machine stitching to reinforce it's structure.

The forgotten dye note text now dealt with which resulted in more brown scraggly stitching being added to the piece in a random manner. 

Some verticles.

I've started thinking about the cottonwoods and how stoic they look when shrouded in the ice fog of deep winter. 

WIP's and Bjorkboda

I'm starting to like it more and more without the silk overlay.

I'm thinking of leaving the silk piece off now and using it on another piece of indigo dyed fabric.

Of course this piece of indigo dyed fabric also looks lovely with this silk piece.

So now I need to make a decision, and of course that decision might involve dyeing more cotton fabric with indigo!

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Now with a rust colored aurifil rayon thread for more surface definition.

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The marsh is now dried up, the grass has greened up after this past weeks rains, am  hoping the birds return and soon.

Bjorkboda Marsh

Went out to the marsh this afternoon for a much needed infusion of inspiration!!!

Now to spend some time in the studio this evening working with a fresh mind!

WIP - Bjorkboda

On my sewing table so that the stitching will pop.

More Details

The puffy areas will be stitched down in other colors.

Cottonwood Stand

A beginning sketch on cotton fabric, more pen and ink and then some stitching and then maybe I'll rust and compost it for some additional color.

My favorite Sycamore Tree.

Stand of Cottonwood Trees at Bjorkboda Marsh

Swan Dance

Bjorkboda Marsh, Hamilton County, Iowa.