A New Leap – Fibers

Here are the fibers I used for the background.

image, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

The top one is the heavy thread I used for the trees.  Next is a loose spun thread used on the darker meadow areas.  Finally, the lighter meadow areas were stitched using a silk with flames, which means tighter areas and looser areas.  Laid down with long stitches, these fibers show off their irregularities to make a rich background that looks complicated while actually being fast and easy to stitch!

Prayer: Father, thank You that our irregularities make us unique, beautiful, fitted for individual purposes in Your world.

A New Leap – Background Stitching

Rather than leaving the background openwork, I decided to do some fancy stitching with different fibers to make a scene for the leaping lamb.

This was done freehand, using different variegated textured threads.  I stitch the trees first, then fill the landscape in around them and the lamb and Joy.  Fun and quick, as the stitches are long.

image, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the beauty we each can bring just working in the background.  I pray for those who work quietly to know that they do Your work.

A New Leap

Recently our pastor and his wife left for an encouragement trip to missionaries in the Philippines sent by our church 20 years ago.  20 years in the field!  Perhaps this is normal, but I didn’t grow up in the church and it seems extraordinary to me!

He asked the church members to send cards of encouragement.  There was just enough time for me to stitch this piece for them.

Missionary Joy, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, please bless this family which has devoted so much of their life to your service and service of your people.  Bring them an ever closer walk, unexpected joys, long worked for successes, wisdom for their path.

Leap for Joy – Complete

Finally, here is the completed, framed piece!

Leap for Joy Complete, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, please bless the family this piece was made for, and bring joy and growing closeness to their walk with You!

Leap for Joy – Masking an Openwork Piece

The answer is to insert an appropriate mask.  Here I have chosen a piece of green handmade paper which includes metallic golden highlights.  I cut it to size, and then insert it between the front of the canvas and the edges which have been folded to fit in the frame.  Note that you DO NOT trim the canvas to the size of the frame, or the edges may unravel!

Masking inserted, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, the love must extend even to the details!  Help this family to find joy in the details of their lives.

Leap for Joy – Finishing an Openwork Piece

Openwork pieces present a special problem when framed.  The areas which have not been stitched can be seen through.  So the back of the frame and the area of canvas folded over will be visible.  This doesn’t make for a very pretty finished piece…

Joy without Masking, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, help us to do our work well and attend to all details to make a fitting offering for Your glory and a fitting gift for the people we serve.

Leap for Joy – Stitched

This canvas can be stitched in an afternoon.  A few lovely hours of prayer and service, focussed on others rather than myself.  What a blessing for me!  I just hope it is equally blessing to the people I make the pieces for.

Leap for Joy Stitched, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, thank you that doing your work can bless others as well as blessing ourselves.

Leap for Joy – Choosing Fibers

You’d think that picking the fibers for the lamb would be a no-brainer.  Unfortunately, I’m allergic to wool, so that was out.  Instead, I opted for Alpaca wool yarn.  This gives a natural look much like sheep’s wool, but without making my hands itch!

Leap for Joy Fibers, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, please bring comforting things into this family’s life and help them grow in their walk of faith.

Leap for Joy – Painting the Background

Finally, I paint the background.  I’ve chosen to paint it unevenly, as I may decide to leave it openwork.

Wild Colors 10 Leap for Joy 5×7 cu, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, thank you that you surround us with green fields in which we can romp and leap for joy!

Leap for Joy – Painting the Lamb

The outline anchors the lamb and makes painting it easier.  Here the design starts to come together.

Leap for Joy Lamb, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, we are your lambs.  We look to you for protection, healing, comfort, and guidance.