Fiber Fun #4 and .......?

Before I get to our fiber this week I want to share another artist's work with counted cross stitch and fine art. Sharon Mossbeck is an artist that wants to see the future of counted cross stitch as more than just a hobby craft, she wants to see it grow as a fine art too. The fact that this art has been widely done, both past and present, by women in the home, should not preclude it to be something less than what it truly is, important work by artists. The same difference that separates a hobbyist using a paint by number kit and an artist that paints fine art, is the same difference between the home hobbyist with a cross stitch kit or pattern and one that is stitching their own original work. The fact that there is such a tactile and dimensional possibility with needlework, to me, lends an important aspect of this art not available to other mediums. I know I am repeating myself from past blogs, but I feel the need to keep stressing this point to validate the need for needlework's recognition as something more. Sharon has coined the phrase "Contemporary Art Cross-stitch" to delineate it from a hobby craft. This is something important to note, because I think in order for this to be categorized as "fine art", we need to be able to qualify it as such with a specific category. My hope is that we can find a way to unify the various artists that practice this art under a single title that provides those interested in looking for it with a solid way of finding it and showcasing it. I would think it absolutely wonderful to hear from my readers on what they think about this idea, and more importantly, what their ideas are to get this ball rolling. I know this is the right time to do this with so many interested in pushing the envelope of needlework into the realm of fine art from all around the world, it just takes a united front to make it a reality. We need to be heard by museums and galleries and there is no better way than to collaborate and support each other.

So I was going to try my hand at the hot glue stencil thing and drug out my new old stock hot glue gun from twenty some odd years ago, but soon realized I had lost track of the hot glue sticks purchased with it. Those are currently on order along with some Luffy Balls for my Betta fish pet, Archie. He's kind of the Pear Blossom mascot too. I have trained him to go from one end of his tank to the other to eat his food, so these are very intelligent fish, as well as being beautiful to look at. He is always happy to see me and loves to interact with me. He actually thinks everything on the table near his tank is his and gets very feisty when I move something or take it away. Once it is back or left alone, he just goes about his business. Since my asthma doesn't permit me to have furry animals of any kind, the Betta is a wonderful substitute and a lot less costly. LOL! So when I get my sticks I will play with the hot glue gun stencil idea and report back on my results. Last week I also got some small wooden blocks to try out the hot glue stamp thing too and picked up an all purpose fan brush for the Tattered Angels. We'll see if using this brush makes any difference. Keep your fingers crossed that the glue gun will work after I've ordered the sticks for it! LOL!

I actually went to the hobby store to buy cheap Aida cloth for my samples and was very disappointed about the lack of inventory of it there. This isn't the first time I have run into this problem. I may have to start doing online ordering of this too eventually, which is a shame because sometimes you just need to pick it up quickly. I know that the hand dyed specialty cross stitch fabrics are extremely popular and maybe that has caused sales of the regular Aida to decline and stock to not be replenished as quickly or with as much quantity. Who knows? Anyone out there with thoughts on this issue as well? Is it particular to this part of the States or the world? Let me know.

So now let's talk fibers! This week I want to talk to you about one that I enjoy working with because it has spectacular results. I mean, it is awesome in the sparkle department. I am talking about the awesomeness of GlissenGloss Rainbow Blending Filament. This packs so much impact on such a small fiber and has so much going for it. It is not expensive and you get a lot of bang for your buck. It comes in a gorgeous array of colors, you can blend them with each other and then put them in your needle with any other fiber when you want to give it that flash. Pure glamor and beauty. It is what I am currently working with on Ladybug Lake. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!

Again, like any other specialty thread, this requires a bit more work to use, but hey, when it's worth the effort, who cares right!? I don't mind a bit when it is doing its job.

What is so much fun about this fiber is that by increasing or decreasing the strands or by stitching them together or apart, you get extremely different results, which you can see in the above sampler. I highly recommend this fiber if you want to give it a try and have some fun obtaining different results with the same filament. Again this can be purchased just about everywhere on line where floss is sold. The cost varies with shops.

Eye surgeon appointment update: I had to postpone my appointment until next month. UGH! I actually took a fall after I passed out from what my husband and I believe to be low blood pressure. That happened in the early morning last Monday and so I was not up to putting a blog entry out last week. Sorry about that. It wasn't for a lack of wanting to though! LOL! I go this afternoon to get checked out which will do more to calm my family's nerves than mine. :o) Unfortunately, when I fell, I fell on top of my good glasses that I was wearing at the time, and so they are busted up again and I am back to wearing my not very good eyeglasses. I'm just glad it was my eyeglasses and not my eyes.

Until next week here is your thought nugget:

"I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart."

• ~Vincent van Gogh