Saturday, August 28, 2010

Found Money


I've had this little idea for awhile.
"See a penny, pick it up
All the day you'll have good luck."
I've been collecting the coins I've picked up from the ground, and this was the time to use them.
The coins and the metallic thread are the metal, and the good luck is the optimistic element.
The tulle overlay on the fabric forms the cage for the coins, when stitched with the metallic thread. The text is printed on a piece of fabric ironed to Wonder Under. I find my printed does like that combination, better than freezer paper. As I'm usually cutting up an image and fusing it, that works for me. The quilt is about 11" square. It was fun, and I'm glad to be back after about a year!

8 comments:

  1. Hi Katie!
    I like the optimism. Everybody relates, don't they?

    I love the colours of the background. That shade of turquoise is one of my favourites.

    I don't know if it was a plan, but the idea of a circle round the coins makes good repetition for the coins. good idea!

    I am a bit concerned that your printed words rather take over all that wonderfulness underneath. If you hadn't already done that "hard to unpick" stitching round the rectangles, I would suggest trimming the fabric much closer to the typing. It would add to the optimism to have an escape beyond the confines of the small centre portion.

    Perhaps there is a way you could get some of the colour from the background onto the plainer portions around the words? Perhaps sponging with paints or something? This can help to blend it in more and put the rectangles further into the background.

    Another idea might be to draw wandering footprints in colours of the background with the odd little circle/dot in metallic pen or paint. (and maybe dashed lines similar to the way bee flight is depicted). That could represent your wanderings and findings and help to balance the the strong borders with the centre. What do you think?

    I do like the way the tulle you used works to keep the coins on there, but doesn't overwhelm. sometimes tulle can be to visible, but you have managed it well!

    Sandy in the UK

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  2. I like your idea and always said I should be quite wealthy if I'd kept all the pennies I've picked up over the years.

    I agree with Sandy about the white fabric with the words being a bit over-powering. Sponging color onto them would help them blend more with the background. Using a permanent marker to write the words directly onto the fabric would also be a way to make them become more of the piece itself.

    I like what you've done, though.

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  3. Hi Katie.. so good to see your work again. I like the whimsy of this piece... the 'optimism' shines through in both the coin and the word. It has been covered.. re: the fabric width beyond the text and I like the idea of sponging to bring it into the piece. Or the foorprints would look really good, too...maybe a meandering of thread even.
    I want to thank you for sharing the wonder-under on your fabric for the printer.... that is new to me.
    I am looking forward to your next version of this piece being posted.

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  4. A really cool way to "spend" your found money.

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  5. Hi Katie... nice to see your work again :-)
    I like the log cabin style placement of the text. What if you add another round or two? Might that maybe incorporate the text into the design rather than being borders?
    I like it as it is though.
    I can't wait to try the wonder under printing...great idea!
    Cherie

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  6. I can't really add to what has already been said other than to suggest a wash of a transparent turquoise paint over the white fabric. What a clever idea this piece is. Great response to the challenge.

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  7. I also would like this better with a little less white border but one never knows what it really looks like in real life. I love you use of found objects (coins).

    Pat Havey

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  8. You're all right about the large "labels" around the edges. I'll try to re-make it, using the same coins, of course. I don't mind cutting up the first try! Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

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