Saturday 24 January 2015

Progress Report - January 2015

I began Sake Boxes in March 2014 at my annual five day class. At the end of that week I had completed the foundations on the sake box and on the outside of the ladle, one leaf and a pointed petal chrysanthemum.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

I made little progress over the summer completing only the foundation on the inside of the ladle and one round petal chrysanthemum. It was only during, and after, a four day class in October that I really connected with this design and since then I have made steady progress. At first the piece seemed to grow very slowly and the amount still to be done seemed daunting. But I tried not to think about the whole task and to simply focus on the motif that I was stitching. Keeping the work covered with tissue paper and folding it back to reveal only the area you are working on helps to keep you focused on that area as well as protecting the rest of the work from dust and sunlight.

Before long, I had completed the silk embroidery in one small area. Then another. And piece by piece the picture is building.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

Now, when I look at the whole picture, I am pleased to see how much I have done. This is quickly followed by a sinking feeling when I think about how much is still to be done and this thought is quickly chased away by a reminder of how much I am enjoying stitching this piece and a further reminder to just focus on one small area at a time.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

In the past few posts, I have looked at the foundation layers, a pointed petal chrysanthemum, a round petal chrysanthemum, the leaves and the noshi papers. Until I get to the gold work on the vessels there will be nothing new to say about this piece, except for an occassional progress report.

Happy Stitching

3 comments:

Rachel said...

Not the least of the skills to learn is managing these big projects without being disheartened by what remains to be done.
For what it may be worth to you, I think you're making great progress!

D1-D2 said...

You're making great progress. And I agree with Rachel, sometimes breaking a big project into smaller projects will make things seem less daunting.

Susan Elliott said...

Slow and steady wins the race. We're in the same boat and I couldn't think of a finer person to be in a boat with! Gonbatte CA-san!