Rockpool
This was my entry for the New Plymouth Embroiderers' Guild's Patricia Dow Challenge. The theme was 'water'. I was inspired to create an entire underwater environment with rocks, seaweed, tiny starfish, anemones, sea urchins, worm casings and barnacles.
I did most of this work on a camping trip, stitching in the shade of a tree near my tent.
Items are trapped between 2 layers of fabric, with the excess fabric pleated up to create the rivulets on the sandy bottom of the rock pool. The rock pool is then populated with colonies of French knots, lazy daisies, seed stitches, needle-woven forms, etc, that work together to form a little underwater world. The embroidery uses hand-dyed calico, cotton & metallic threads (including hand-dyed threads), glass and plastic beads. Trapped items include beads, buttons, curtain rings, washers, polystyrene and bubble-wrap.
I was inspired by Jennifer Rochester’s encrusted calico-covered beach pebble in Stitch magazine No. 15 March/April 2002.
For more information about this piece, please see the challenge discussion: http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/forum/topics/who-dares-to-rush-into-a-pebble-adventure?groupUrl=handembroidery&groupId=2105845%3AGroup%3A1861&id=2105845%3ATopic%3A400271&page=48#comments
Favourite of 8 people
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Comment by Meg Mackenzie on November 11, 2012 at 4:20
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I am so pleased that you would like to stand in this rockpool, Ann. Yes, wouldn't that be fun? I love the idea of what might populate each little area.
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Comment by Ann Johnson on October 21, 2012 at 16:16 -
I love these embroideries with trapped items. This is resplendent with detail. I'd like to stand in this rock pool and explore.
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Hi Rose, the rocks were all created prior to the embroidery so that I would know how to 'colonise' the rock pool. The items were trapped between 2 layers of fabric and stitched in, then the embroidery was done.
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Comment by Rose Kauhane on May 29, 2012 at 7:16 -
Hi Meg,
After I wrote that comment I went back and read some of the older ones and saw your write ups and additional photos. I am inspired and hope to try my own some day. Were all of the "rocks" just stuffed after the embroidery was done?
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Hi Rose, I'm glad that you like it. No, I haven't blogged about it. I wouldn't know what more to write about it than I have written here. If there's more info that you want about it, do let me know. I'm happy to answer any questions.
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Comment by Rose Kauhane on May 27, 2012 at 19:07
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Your work is awe inspiring! Have you blogged about this anywhere?
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Wow, what kind and generous comments, Shirley. I am so pleased that it appeals to you. I adore the little worlds within rockpools. I spent a lot of time as a child exploring these amazing little ecosystems. Yes, stitching under a tree by my tend was a real luxury, Shirley. This weekend I spent in the cool autumn air, sitting in a high valley between two lakes, knitting. Making things outdoors is so much nicer than stitching or knitting in the house. Your comment about sea things will spur me along to finish the mermaid doll I am making - thank you for the prompt!
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Comment by Shirley on May 11, 2012 at 2:07 -
Love, love, love this Meg, as anyone will tell you the minute sea things are mentioned I am won over. This is beautiful, and I really admire you being able to stitch in the shade of a tree near your tent and achieve this gorgeous work. it more than deserves the 5 stars.
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Thank you Elaine.
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Comment by Elaine Wilding on May 10, 2012 at 7:08 -
I love it great work. Hugs Elaine
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