Cross Stitch on Chicken Wire

First, apologies for not posting for a very long time. I have been diligently working on my 365 Days of Art Challenge. I started watercolors, which I love. I never thought I could draw so I didn't even bother to try. I realize now that you just have to deconstruct the image. Then once you have the basic shell down, the watercolors do all the rest. I will post some of my work at a later time.  Now on to my new favorite obsession! Cross stitch on chicken wire.

 

Last year I found this inspiration piece on Pinterest.  I love the look but really felt that I 1) didn't have a large enough wall to hang this large of a peg board; and 2) that it would be a real challenge to work with that medium because it doesn't bend. It seems like it would be a real gross motor activity to produce this work.

 

 

 

So I started looking and thinking of an alternative canvas. I was at Lowes last week when it came to me: chicken wire! It is bendy so it can be rolled up to make it easier to work with. Plus I love the juxtaposition of mediums - the hard, industrial look of the chicken wire and the softness of the yarn. 

 

 

I found a neat old school rose cross stitch pattern on Pinterest.  I had an old picture frame I wanted to repurpose so I cut the chicken wire several inches bigger than the frame. I put duct tape around the cut edges so it didn't tear up my hands/arms/legs while I was working with it.  I used garden cutters to cut the wire because I didn't have wire cutters. It worked pretty well. But it did leave a rather jagged edge that you really need to cover up so it doesn't hurt you.

 

 

This is the final, framed picture. I really like the openness of the work.  I have the picture just sitting in the frame until I can have my son in law frame it tightly for me. I want to hang on my back porch so it will be right at home there. 

 

What do you think? I rather love it!  I found two large poster frames at a yard sale last weekend and they will be my next project. I will make sure to post them also.

 

 

365 Days of Art Challenge

Lately I have been feeling out of sorts creatively. I need to have surgery on my left hand (arthritis in my thumb) and I cannot crochet until that is fixed (boo hoo).  I haven't been able to crochet much for the past few months and am really feeling creatively stuck. 

My antidote for this funk is to give myself a 365 Days of Art Challenge.  The rules are simple (because they only relate to me): I need to create something artistically for 365 days. The point is to try different mediums and just create!  I'd like to say I will do something every day but I know there will probably be days that it just won't happen. I want to enjoy the creative process way more than being worried about a final product. 

The following are my first 6 days creations:

Day 1: Sugar Skull.  "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream". Also, "Never Stop Learning" and "Believe you deserve everything you dream about".

 

 

Day 2:  Just a pencil sketch of a rose. "I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious".  (So true)!  

 

 Day 3:  Mixed media.  "What messes you up in life are the ideas in your head of how it should be".   

 

 
 
 
 
 

 



 Days 4 and 5. Mixed media.  I found these cool "bingo" cards at Michaels and had such fun embellishing them.  There was a pack of 20 so I think these will definitely be part of a series. The think I love most about these is that I can use some of the junk jewelry that came from my sister. Just the right for embellishments.  I don't know if you can pick out the dream catcher on the "Dream" card or the guardian angel on the "Happy" card. I started on another one for a colleague but haven't completed it yet.


Day 6. Watercolor pencils. Today would have been my parents wedding anniversary. In honor of that, I made this watercolor rose. I've never used watercolor pencils before but I LOVED them!  I have a bunch more ideas and will definitely be doing this again!

So this is the start of my art journey and I'm rather proud of the things I've created so far this week. I know I am no Picasso, but I am really enjoying the process.  As many of you know, my sister Joyce passed this past year. My mom gave me many of her art supplies. Part of me feels like I am doing this art journey for the both of us. I know she wanted to develop her talent but, for whatever reason, wasn't able to.  Now it is up to me to do this for both of us.

I encourage you too to start an art challenge. It really doesn't take long (some longer than others). The point is to just create!  I will say it already feels good for my soul. Take a chance, it may be just what you need.

Happy crafting!