Thursday 15 June 2017

It's curtains for me...

....and for you as well.  I've been promising the follow-up on this story for a while, and now is the time.

The curtain project was an ill-conceived thought, the execution was painful, and the results were so haphazard it's a wonder the project was ever finished.

As you can see from the beginning of the story, they were designed to fit a tight-cornered bathroom window and I'm glad to say that they really fit well there above those colourful heels.

'I Should Have Listened to Mom' cafe curtains
 ©  Win Dinn
The range of painted dryer sheets is extensive, running from lemon yellow through several shades of gold and sienna, dancing briefly on a tint of burgundy and accented with so many shades of red, yellow, gold, sienna and orange embroidery floss it's hard to count them (Thank you for that, Alice).


When one gets to the close-ups, you can see why I feel like they may last only a nano-second or two, even with the plain dryer sheets holding them together on the back.  The embroidery helps to tie them somewhat (or at least it would if I had had any idea of means and methods in that regard), and I'm pretty sure the extensive amount of mop-up paint does the same.


I have to admit that I was intrigued by the massive number of YouTube videos on the subject of embroidery stitches - there are literally hundreds of them, and when you consider the combination possibilities of the stitches the variety is endless.


 As always, it is the colour and texture that does it for me.


 When one looks closely, there are worlds within worlds in each dryer sheet.


From raw edges to flawed embroidery to daisies, stamping and endless hours hunched over an embroidery hoop,


I can only be pleased with my lunacy tenacity to see them hanging in the Material Changes show (see the previous post) and know that soon they'll be home again.


While I take a break from the purpose-driven creative activity of the last few months, I'm going to enjoy the feeling of making something that is so totally senseless, and possibly incubate something at least as crazy.  I could turn those pieces of painted cheesecloth into tiny jackets for the hummingbirds I see out the window (they're shivering in the rain right now), or paint a fuschia horse (oh, wait - I already did that!).  I'm sure I can come up with something.

How about you?  What's on your incubation list?  I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.



30 comments:

  1. What a great post, great story and beautiful results! Now wonder "they" say "Giving birth to an Idea" becasue it sounds like it was like giving birth... a long, painful labour but worth it for the amazing results! I can't wait to see them for real at your Show.

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    1. Many thanks, Lynne...sometimes those crazy ideas are worth following. I do hope you enjoy the show when you get there (before July 1!!) - it's truly amazing for the repurposing aspect alone!

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  2. They look fabulous Win. What a lot of perseverance you have!

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    1. Thanks, Val - it really helps to have perseverance when sitting is such an easy thing! :D

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  3. Wonderful idea, Win! I wonder if it works with baby wipes instead of dryer sheets! Crazy and unique!

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    1. Many thanks, Zsuzsa! Baby wipes work well, too...like the dryer sheets, I wash them first to remove the chemicals (all those chemicals on baby bums?!!!!) and then they're good to go!

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  4. I think it is a great idea... looks fabulous too !
    Corrie x

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    1. Thanks, Corrie - it was an interesting project for sure!

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  5. Utterly amazing how much creativity and effort goes into a work of art - and functional as well.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by to comment, Judith, and for your wonderful presence at the opening. Such a joy to have you here; I love it that you got to see the show, and WE got to visit! xo

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  6. What a thoroughly loony and yet utterly BRILLIANT idea! i like your initial goal of "June 2022" Lolz
    These are simply too singular and pretty for words, Win

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    1. Many thanks, Rose - loony is perfectly correct. I was glad to see that the original goal didn't hold water (of course, neither will the curtains!). xo

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  7. What an AMAZING unique project! Absolutely stunning Win Dinn - WOW!!!!!

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    1. Thanks, Susi - it was mammoth in so many ways!!!! xo

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  8. "Heaven I'm in Heaven, And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
    And I seem to find the happiness I seek", when drop in at Winn Dinn and take a peek. (Apologies to Fred Astaire)

    I love that curtain it is so pretty and I'm thrilled to have more pieces of it. And that triangle light...very cool.
    Next time you drop by the "Asylum" check out Web of Roses I'm pretty sure you will recognize the web.

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    1. Oh you are so sweet, Deann...and I do hope you can use the curtain photos again - that last one is such a favourite!

      And of course I LOVE the Web of Roses - readers can find it at http://thewhimseyasylum.blogspot.ca/2017/06/web-of-roses-dms-flickr-challenge.html, where Deann has used a favourite drywall compound texture plate (my post, last photo at http://windinnart.blogspot.ca/2017/05/fun-to-max.html) in the background. If you've not been to the Whimsey Asylum before, you're in for a rare treat! xo

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  9. LOVE the curtains, always did right from their inception and now that they're finished I love them even more and look forward to seeing them in your bathroom - in person!

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    1. You're such a great support in my craziness, Alice - the best! I'm looking forward to you being here to see them in person too! xo

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  10. I think the curtains are brilliant. Quite like the shoes too actually! Happy crafty week, Angela xXx

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    1. Many thanks, Angela, both for the curtain likes and the shoes...best of the week to you, as well! xo

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  11. ohhh, I really love your dryer sheet curtains!!!! just magnificent!!! my next mad craze will be incorporating buttons in my jewelry. so we'll see how that goes. can't wait to see your next wonderful project!!!! hugs, patty

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    1. Thanks Patty - I'll be watching for the buttons in your fabulous jewelry; very much looking forward to seeing what you come up with!!!

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  12. Those dryer sheets are just so luscious - how could you not want to use them? And the results are not at all haphazard.

    I know how you feel about the 'lunacy' of those sorts of projects, though. Hand-dyeing cotton squares and making a king-size quilt cover anyone? Yes, that was one of my larger projects. Not about to do another of those anytime soon.

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    1. Thanks, Tracy, and I'm in agreement about the lusciousness of the dryer sheets...and I've got a drawer full yet to play with - yippee!!!! I can hardly imagine you doing hand-dyeing pieces for a king size quilt...you're a strong, strong woman, Tracy!!! xo

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  13. Wow amazing art with dryer sheets. The textures and patterns are beautiful, it reminds me of 'crazy quilting' (quilting with hand emobroidery with beautiful patterns). I hope you are doing well, xx

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    1. Thanks, Shirley - it was a wacky project that looked better than I expected when done (at least on the top side :D ). My mom was a quilter, and I loved watching her and her group in their quilting circles, although I was not ever able to join in due to being hand-stitching challenged! Doing well here in Creston; hope your house building goes quickly so you can get back into your studio soon! xo

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  14. WOW!! So cool are those curtains! Your stitching is beautiful Win!
    xo

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    1. Many thanks, Jackie - if you took a look at the back, you might think differently! :D

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