Monday, September 22, 2008

Bead Journal Project

I'm taking part in the Bead Journal Project again and this time I'll do a journal sized quilt using batik fabrics. Here is September. First I hand couched a decorative cord in the design area using a metallic thread. Then I machine quilted the background to hold the batik to some batting. Beading is heavy and needs the support. Next came lots of hand beading. Lastly, I backed and bound it using the decorative cord along the edge of the binding.


Or perhaps it should go this way. What do you think?

19 comments:

heidibeads said...

Hi Sandy! I like your quilt - not sure which way I like better but if I had to vote I'd say horizontal cuz it looks like dancers dancing across the fabric. Love the textures and the batik choices.

Anonymous said...

Sandy this is gorgeous! absolutely stunning. I think I like the horizontal configuration better.

abeadlady said...

Yummy! Perfect fall colors too. I'm with Heidi and Sue. I like the horizontal shot better. Not sure exactly why. LOL

Arline

Jacquie said...

Hi Sandy, Love the colors. I like it landscape way...but either way it is very very pretty!

Joanna L. said...

OMG! How stunning!!!!

As much as I tend to design in the vertical direction, because it usually gives a sense of motion, I think I prefer the landscape orientation as well. It jsut suits the figures.

BTW, do you do your own dyeing?

Robin said...

Beautiful, Sandy!!!! In the horizontal orientation it reminds me of a reflection of deep fall colors in a lake. It's peaceful, yet at the same time vibrant. In the vertical orientation it made me think of fire... a pole in a fire station and fire all around...

Either way, it's fabulous! Will you consider uploading a larger version of it to your blog so that we can click to enlarge. I'm itching to see detail!

I'm glad to see you're doing quilts, especially since my brother isn't in it this year and I'll be missing his quilts.

Robin A.

pam T said...

O my! This is stunning! Horizontal- definitely - looks like ancient figures dancing around a fire.....
wow!!!

pam T (WI)

Paula Hewitt said...

great. I like the horizontal layout myself. I can see the figures in it that other mentioned - but my initial thought was aerial photograph of a creekbed through a rocky desert area. either way/any way you look at it - it looks fab.

a2susan said...

Hi, Sandy. Your beadwork is wonderful on the quilt block. I guess what direction you use depends if the block is going to be freestanding or combined with other months. Either way, the flow and the colors have so much movement to them.

shebaduhkitty said...

I like portrait style over landscape. this is really amazing. did you batik the fabric yourself?

KV said...

Wow, Sandy -- this is outstanding! The colors are magical and deep. No matter which direction you decide to turn it to, it will always be incredibly beautiful . . .


Kathy V in NM

Sabine said...

This is lovely, Sandy. I prefer the vertical version to the horizontal. To me, that way the quilting lines and colouring of the fabric seem to point upwards.

Denise said...

this is awesome! When you were making it, which way did you mostly make it? The horizontal version is more piece in my opinion, while the vertical seems more full of angst. That's why I wonder which way you worked on.
Either way, it's so very cool and I look forward to seeing your journals!
Cheers, Denise

Marty S said...

OOOH! Very cool!
Marty S
Crackpot Beader

Timaree said...

Horizontally it looks like little dancers. Very nice. Very autumnal feeling to it. Like you are in a deep wooded area with all the leaves having changed but not dropped.

Mountain Salt Studio said...

I love your page - I think I like it best horizontally as well.

Diane

Julie said...

What a beautiful piece. The fabric is beautiful. I like it horizontal. Julie C

Jacqui said...

bit late on this, as I am in life in general but I love this quilt. Horizontal way is best view but it works the other way as well, reminds of flying over mountains in plane looking down at all the deep valleys, very dark and mysterious. Which it goes I suspect is how the next month ends up.

Pursuing Art... said...

Hi Sandy...I am finally taking the time to visit other BJP members today!

Your September page is beautiful! I love the colors and the beadwork is lovely! I like your page either way but am drawn to it laying horizontally.

I look forward to seeing your monthly pages!

Have a nice weekend...~Lisa ;-)