March's 6x4 postcard

Yay, I finished it! The materials for this have been sitting on the end of my ironing board since the end of March, so I guess this can still qualify for March's 6x4 lives fabric postcard. It takes me much longer than one would think to make a card like this because I'm not one of those "just do it" kind of people unfortunately, or else I'd get a lot more done. No, the fabrics mingle awhile on the ironing board, sewing machine, sometimes even the floor, until I feel like I've got the right combination, then I fret over thread color and embellishment ideas, days go by... and I pick it up again because suddenly I know how to finish it. The background fabric I hand marbled in a class I took in 2001, and the dragonfly I printed on plastic has been waiting around in my craft mess for nearly a year. The free motion embroidery idea just came to me when I scrapped the appliqué idea I had. I like doing this kind of machine stitching because it's so relaxing and a little like drawing with a needle or a computer mouse. (Why don't I do this more often??) Well, now you know how my mind works, and it's probably more than you ever wanted to know about the "creative process". I hate that term actually- I always think it sounds so pretentious. Creation just happens, and is hard to conjure up- for me anyway, which would explain why I work in fits and starts a lot. Maybe creative flow would be a better word than "creative process"? A process sounds like a recipe to me, whereas flow is more feng shui :o)

Speaking of dragonflies (okay, so it's a fetish), wouldn't it be cool to have one of these hanging around your neck? Found via wol&zo.

"Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free."
- Chuang Tzu

Comments

[Kajin]

How nice! Your dragonfly looks almost real.

As for the concept of "creative flow", sometimes, we just have to wait for the right combination of materials, ideas, colors, tools... It might be quick - or not!

[Michele]

Ok,
We all love that dragonfly. The big question is how on earth did you do it? It's beautiful. And your stitching...awesome. What freedom of movement. You really should do more stuff like that. And art is a feeling. It is a concept that rationalizes in our minds so that feeling can escape our souls and a physical piece of creation appears. :)

[Sophia]

Oooooo - I love this one. I think dragonflies are your totem, you do them so well. And the wispy grasses are so finely done. Definitely explore this technique more, you do it really well. The overall effect is delightful - did I say already how gifted you are?
Can I commission one just like this?
;)

[tongue in cheek]

you did a nice job, the colors are perfect for such dleicate creatures!

[Shelina]

Hi,
I was just bloghopping and came across your site. Thanks for all the beautiful gallery. I spent a lot of time at your journal pages and your post cards. I've been making post cards today, and yours are very inspiring.

[Bev]

All of your postcards are fantastic - the color combinations are phenomenal. I have been inspired by Virginia Spiegel's cause and started a website: http://www.gift-it-forward.com where all of the money I raise go to women diagnosed with breast cancer. I sell postcards and other unique fabric gifts and am always looking for inspiration.