Sunday, July 15, 2007

July ~ My Cup Runneth Over



The 99% completed piece. I'll be mounting this piece onto that brown piece of suede and will add 3 beads onto the suede so it looks like the beads are falling off the piece. I'm pretty happy with it, my cup runneth over with plenty of things and beads just happens to be one of the things in my life. I could have done it with a small barrel but LOL, I thought a cup would read easier. I'm not going to mount my pieces until the 11th or 12th month because I want a whole cohesive piece instead of a mish mash (which for me will surely happen). Please click each pic to get a huge detail. :-)

I like this piece because it's the first attempt at a realistic portrayal of something. I mean I've done at least one other thing but it was still a bit abstract compared to this one. And it really made me think about how I'd show perspective. I also learned that if you use really dark thread (navy) with a really light bead (ivory) the bead has a different depth to it than if you use an ivory thread. The ivory beads on the front of the cup are sewn with navy thread. The very same beads are on the inside of the cup but I used a cream thread and they look much lighter, more ivory. I know I don't always like colored fabric underneath my beads (I use a lot of translucent beads) because it changes the color of the beads and sometimes I don't like what it does (when I have a specific need for a color). So I learned a lot.



This photo is to give you an idea how much height is in the piece. It's got texture because of it, well, and the beads spilling out of the cup give some texture to it too.



This is a pic at 50% so if you don't have the option of zooming back you can see how it might look at a distance. I wanted some perspective and I think I got it with the pointalism in the foreground table and the stuffing of the cup. BUT looking at it now I think I would have added some darker teal beads right above the table to help the teal fade into the back. I'd also bring the lip of the cup up so it is as high as the side of the cup. But overall, I am happy with it.

24 comments:

Jackie (Tillie's Daughter) said...

What a super great piece -- love the idea and you carried it out beautifully. Love it, love it!!
Beadin' Gram
aka Jackie in Illinois

Timaree said...

Really nice page! I actually have an image similar to that (flowers are falling out) with goofy grandma written with it and had it made into a stamp I have used to mark the backs of cards and some other things I've made. It looks so nice spilling beads and the few you put on your backing will make it super. I didn't know the thread color could really make that much difference; something to consider if I don't have quite the color bead I need!

Vicki said...

What a fun piece!! And great job on the "construction".

beadbabe49 said...

I love the concept and the beading is very well done, as well!

Judi D said...

That is adorable, your finishing touches really makes the page.

s said...

Oh I love it, how playful.
Sunni

vivage said...

Oh! All you girls make me very happy with all the comments.

I am learning so much by reading each of your blogs and looking at your work. AND by challenging myself to do things and learn new things.

This is a fab journey!

Oh and Freebird, would love it if you posted your stamp so we can see it. hint, hint.

Robin said...

What amazes me most about this page is the successful and unusual combination of off-loom weaving techniques with bead embroidery! They compliment each other so well... who would have guessed! And the 3-D you achieved by stuffing under the cup and shading is remarkable!

ACey said...

love this page! Every picture shows more of the detail and superb bead choices.

KV said...

Clever, clever wonderful page!


Kathy V in NM

Mary Timme said...

I like it lots! Neat peice!

Lillian said...

I love the beads spilling over :o)-it's an incredible piece! Thank you for the info on what the different color of threads can do :o) Lillian

vivage said...

You girls are great at giving compliments. It's so nice to hear encouragment and know others are learning from something I did or found out while beading.

Robin, I am intrigued with the many stitches we can use in journaling and it opens up a lot of opportunities for me (texture and precision). I love movement in a piece but I also love areas where my eyes can rest.

All: I am so going to play more with different colored threads for highlighting and shadowing. I loved that I got a different look with different thread.

Rosanne said...

How beautiful!!! I love your idea.
The colors and texture are great!

Magpie Sue said...

I'm impressed. Beautiful work. And what a great topic/image.

I *thought* some of it was woven rather than embroidered! Yeah for me; I'm learning!

Artifax said...

What a great piece with such a whimsical spirit! I LOVE the beads spilling over the edge!

vivage said...

beadjSue, you know when I first began thinking about my journal pages, I knew it would be on fabric so embroidery was my first thought. BUT I also came to realize I could do anything as long as it included beads in it.

There is so much freedom in realizing I can journal any way I want, not just stick to the standard method of: fabric -> embroidery stitch = fabric journal.

A good way to stretch for me, thinking outside of what I would do. Daring to do something outside of "normal".

Quilt Architect said...

What an ambitious page you did. Truely you live your life with joy and gratitude. Loved all the introspective thoughts on beading, especially when it came to the color of the thread. I would have not thought to use a different color for with ivory beads other than white. I have not tried to do any perspective in my bead work yet either. I have been looking at Mosaics today and getting a lot of inspirations from them. Just learned there was such a thing as Micromosaics. Really enjoyed looking at you work and will visit again.
Becky

vivage said...

Micromosaics, ohhh gotta google! Love mosaics and love using teeny pieces to get the detail I want.

nologic said...

A beautiful journal page. I want to scoop up the beads and let them roll out of my hands. Your comment on how the color of thread changes the bead is something I am learning. I am looking forward to your future pages.

Ellen said...

I love this piece Vivage, you've achived a perfect 3D effect - well done!

vivage said...

:-) Thanks Kiwi Ellen! It was a pleasure doing it.

Timaree said...

Hey, Vivage, I have finally done a post that includes my stamp. Check out Another Birthday Card on my blog http://freebirdsings.blogspot.com.

vivage said...

Freebird, I had fun cruising your blog and I loved the stamp!

I am in love with reading all the creativity that is shown and written about in blogs. Yours was no exception!