Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Bead Journal Project...September

Sad story...big lessons learned! Have you ever opened your mouth and from the gland under your tongue...out squirts some saliva? This has happened a couple times in my life, not very often, gratefully, but it has happened. I know, disgusting but true! I was literally finishing the last of my beading around the boys picture when out of my mouth saliva spurted right on Spencer's shirt! I about had heart failure and my poor husband was tip-toeing around for awhile! I attempted to stay calm and let it dry. Once dry, it was still there. So I got some Q-tips wet and moistened the area and when it was dry, I thought I had saved it! Little did I know or see until I was proof reading my post Sunday...that the spot was still there!!! Oh, my heart just sank. I sat down, cut it out, and redid it again. I included both photos so that you could see...and I know in my heart it was for the best! I wasn't very sold on the ink jet fabric sheets I was using in the first place. The picture seemed so washed out and their faces were lacking color, the fabric was very thin and hard to keep smooth, and it certainly didn't hold up to a drop of saliva hitting it! But after reprinting the pictures on a different brand of printable fabric the second time around...what a huge difference! Believe me, I am totally ready to start my October page and I stitch with my lips sealed now!!! ~wink~

The theme I chose for the 2008 Bead Journal Project is 'Fragments of My Life' and what lies within my heart each month and every year that passes. I named my September page, "I Pledge Allegiance." Every September I can't help but think of fall and school starting and remembering my boys school days. There are many memories that live in my heart that relate to their school days and learning. They had so many happy days, so much growth, and many life lessons were learned during those years. There were the crazy and hectic schedules that we all kept between work, school, family, sports, and other activities. The new school clothes, shoes, and supplies that were needed each year. I often wonder how many backpacks, notebooks, pens and pencils were bought through those years! ~wink~ I knew with a photo of my boys that I didn't want the page to be too busy, so I thought I'd bead a flag. I remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance every morning when I was a young girl and the big flag that flew in front of the school. My boys remember those same flag memories of their school days. I also thought it appropriate because I pledged my allegiance 'loyalty' to them as their mom.

My pages are 5"x7" and I stitched ultrasuede to Pellon. The flag is stitched with vintage 9/0 venetian beads and was stitched on a separate piece of ultrasuede and then stitched down to my page. I tried to get the flag to have movement and be waving in the wind. I'm not sure that I captured what I was trying to convey, but I did the best I could. I inserted a small amount of batting under the flag as I stitched it down and when I was done I made a few tiny tack stitches in between some rows of beads to give it some movement. The flag pole is stitched over a bamboo skewer that I painted silver with french faceted steel cuts that I have been hoarding for some future day. These were either my grandmother's or great-grandmother's beads from a crochet/beaded bag that was in sad shape. The photo was edged with vintage stressed silver nailheads and steel cuts.

*This is the sad photo that was torn out...can you see the spot on Spencer's shirt? And see how washed out and faded the picture is compared to the other!*

I learned some things stitching this page. First and foremost, to keep my lips zipped while stitching! I did not enjoy trying to stitch through the corners (four layers of ultrasuede)! My fingers have some holes in them even though I used a thimble at times and my pliers too. I folded an inch over on the back and my future pages will be a half inch or so. Since the ultrasuede doesn't ravel, I feel confident that a smaller amount will work out better and I will attempt to stay away from the corners while beading if I can. *ADDENDUM... after thoughtful consideration...it 'finally' occurred to me that I could use pellon or paper and do my beading (no layers) and then whip stitch the fabric to the back when I'm done!!! H e l l o...Lisa!!! ~wink~* I wasn't sure if the flag would turn out and be the size that I wanted it to be, so I stitched it on a piece of ultrasuede first and used Japanese Sumi painting paper for stabilizer. I was amazed how stable and supportive the paper felt to use and how soft it became as I beaded along. I will certainly be open to using paper again as a stabilizer and I'm glad I tried it. The other thing I am not totally sold on yet is the fabric sheets! The first (sad) photo was printed on Printed Treasures by Milliken, from a local fabric shop (Pendleton Woolen Mills), because I thought the pima cotton seemed a little finer (smoother) than the Avery printable fabric that I had. The final photo was printed on Avery Ink Jet printable fabric and it certainly turned out better. I would like to try the Jacquard cotton fabric too. I do know that I won't be using the Printed Treasures. Since all my pages will have photographs, this is an important decision to me. The other thing I remembered, at the last minute, was to clean my vintage nailheads. As I was handling them and taking them off their strings, my fingers were dirty/dusty and I realized that I hadn't cleaned these yet. The lady I purchase some of my vintage nailheads from forewarned me about cleaning them as she learned the hard way. I am grateful I didn't have to learn that lesson too!!!

I am going to finish the back by stitching another piece of ultrasuede to the page. I think I will insert a piece of mat board for a little more support, as the flag is heavy. Now, onto October, thankfully! I need to catch up with friends and visit the other BJP members that I haven't taken the time to do yet!

My sister and I just got home from the beach last Tuesday evening after spending three fun days together! The weather was so beautiful for the last couple days of September! It was a sunny and fun filled trip with lots of laughter and catching up!!! I thought you might enjoy a couple pictures.
This is a shot looking south from Ecola State Park in Oregon.


And this gorgeous fall sunset and Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. The next trip to the coast will either be in the stormy weather or next spring!

Keep Pursuing Art...Life and Dreams! ~Lisa ;-)

22 comments:

KV said...

Wow, Lisa! I know from experience how tough it is to bead on Ultrasuede sometime. But this page turned out so beautifully and I admire your persistence in doing it.


Kathy V in NM (who was on vacation last week, too -- but way up in the central mountains of New Mexico, like around 8,000 feet in elevation!)

Kelly said...

I love your page. I certainly know how it feels to have to redo a page (but I'm a newbie).
Thank you for your opinions on the fabric photos. I will be adding photos to a page or two in the coming months and have been playing around with what kind to use.

Kelly

*~tabby~* crooked heart art said...

hey girl!!!
your sept BJP is wonderful!!
and the pic;s of the sea-yummmmmm
i am in need of a beach trip badly i don;'t care what the weather is!!
just the smell and sound of the ocean alone and i relax
enjoy your day
x's&o's
tammy :)

girlgonethreadwild said...

OO, you took a STICKY situation and made it work! Love the pics of your boys and I PLEDGE to keep my mouth shut when approached with a similar situation..promise!

Next, thanks for stopping in Lisa.. wondering if you saw the TOTAL before I just updated it to read 2,346? AMAZING. *shaking my head to be a part of this GOODNESS*


Truly ya'll make me so very proud!

Happy day to you d'ling. I better get backt o work...

SLACKING here.

xo, Monica

beadbabe49 said...

I love the page and the wonderful story behind it...school days were happy days for me too and I looked forward to all the wonderful new pencils and notebooks of september!
I have to say though, I could not see the spot on spencer's shirt, but I think that's not important...I think it's important that the new fabric did such a better job portraying the photo of the boys...the first one was "washed out", and the second one is vibrant! So, maybe you need to keep your mouth open after all...it turned out to be a good thing!

Marty S said...

Some adventure! But the end result is great. You really did show the movement in the flag.
Marty S
Crackpot Beader

Timaree said...

Well your efforts were rewarded! If you hadn't had the accident you would not have tried the other fabric for the photos and your page would not have come out near as nice. The brighter colors really make a difference. Now your photos don't fade out from the brightness of the beads. Your flag came out really well. What a good idea to bead around a skewer for the pole. I think you've made a great start on the year.

Thanks for dropping by my blog. I got lots of replies to my dilemma. Having such a large group means someone will be surfing the blogs just about any time we might need some help but of course, we can't be blogging all the time or we won't get our beading done!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Lisa:
The final page is certainly better. Too bad you had to go through so much to better learn the the technique, but truly a better outcome. I love the symbolism in your page. Thanks for sharing your shore pics. I have never seen the ocean and the pictures are mesmerizing!

Thank you for stopping by my page. I noticed in your profile that you love birds, as I do. I hope you had a moment to view older posts on my blog. I have several stories about birds that frequent my yard, especially my Mr. Baldy Cardinal. I love him dearly.

Tracey Leeder said...

You mafe me laugh with your saliva story, but I also know how your heart must have just sank when you saw the damage that darn squirting gland had done. I have done this a time or two in my life as well! I have chinese shar pei dogs, and believe me, you learn to not leave anything at dog level because it can, and will get slimed by one of my curious fur-babies! Salive can do serious damage! Anyway, love your page and your boys are adorable! Great work. Tracey

bohemiangirl said...

Your story cracked me up! But thank you so much for sharing what you learned from your misfortune. The brighter colors definitely look much better than the washed out ones in the original. Way to take a problem and turn it into a solution! You go, girl!
bohemiangirl

Jacquie said...

I loved your sept. page! The symbolism was very heartfelt. Looks like the little mishap didn't mess up the photo at all! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I notice you have dachsunds? I have a wire hair dachsund we adopted in Jan.

Robin said...

Your squirting saliva was a gift, y'know! The re-do will always make you happy... your boys (?how old are they now?) too, I'm guessing.

Sewing through 4 layers of ultrasued sounds like pure torture to me... Even one layer, makes my fingers sore. That's why I only use Ultrasuede Light and never fold a seam allowance with it. I've found I can safely sew right up to the edge of it. Glad you've found that paper works as a stabilizer.

I love your page.. Great job on the flag... the dimensional pole and raised, tucked texture of the flag are very pleasing. The flag in association with school days is something I haven't thought about for a long time... Thanks for the memory!

Robin A.

abeadlady said...

Lisa,
You solved all kinds of problems with this page. Thanks for the info on the printable fabric. The flag definitely looks like it's in a stiff breeze. Nice movement. Love the pics of your boys. This will be a special momento for all of you.Great work!
Arline

a2susan said...

You'll certainly never forget your first bjp page! I'm sure the next one will be much easier. Your boys look so handsome and happy in those pictures, I can see why it was important to you to have the shirt be just right.

I looked through your blog and really enjoyed reading it and seeing all your photos.

Susan

Dot said...

Hi Lisa

I love your page. What a pest that you had to redo it! Printing on fabric can be tricky (I have yet to master it).

I have spilt all kinds of things on stuff I have been making before. Very easy thing to do! Just adds to the effect he hee..

BTW - I no longer have a photo of the 10 x 10 quilt piece for the project we are involved in so am unable to send you a pick for inspiration :(.

Sending much love to you my friend.

Dot xx

heidibeads said...

Great Job! What a lesson, too. We all learn from our mistakes. Thanks for sharing it with us - I think we've all been in similar spots.

KrispiS said...

I love the product of your misfortune! The new photos are truly bright and beautiful... the old "spoiled" ones were washed out. I will put in a vote for the Jacquard brand pages.... I have been buying them for quilting projects for over 4 years now, and love them. ALL my BJP pages from last year were done on that brand .... flower photos I had taken and then beaded the heck out of!

pam T said...

Oh, Lisa, - your saliva squirting story was very entertaining! And your page in conclusion has probably ended up better than you hoped. It is very lovely. I like your theme for the year and look forward to seeing more!

Bobi said...

Hi Lisa! Your September page is wonderful! It evokes some of my own school memories. :) I can relate to the saliva story very well. I was teaching a class on a new computer program for the company I worked for at the time. I leaned in to explain something on the screen and just coated the screen, lol. Fortunately, the student had a great sense of humor - and we got it cleaned up quickly.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a wonderful comment :)

Looking forward to seeing more of your pages.

-Bobi

Betty said...

I really like your September piece.I'm sorry you had to redo, but it really turned out well. As I do not know how to print photos on fabric yet, I stitched around the real photo on my machine without any thread and then beaded through the holes left by the needle.
Hope to learn your method of printing soon.Keep up the good work.

Dot said...

Hi there my lovely friend..
Many thanks for the comments you left on my blog today. Hearing from you always warms my heart!
I have misplaced your email address and wanted to send a pic of that 10 x 10 quilt to you (Monica sent me a pic - sweetheart she is).

So if you can email me on createarian1@yahoo.com.au I will send you the pic asap.

Dot xx

CC said...

Oh, My! Don't ya hate when that happens??? ;) But it all turned out for the best! What a great final piece! Can't wait to see the next one!
Warmest aloha,
CC