The project finally ripened, so to speak. During the course, I completed this print as a study in color rhythm and registraton. I really knew nothing about embroidering, and little about sewing except for putting on buttons or hemming pants. Since then, I learned to embroider. I’ve spent countless hours soaking up books on fabric collage, scrapbooking, altered art, and image transfer. I took a workshop in fiber art. I’ve gained confidence to push back that nagging internal editor/dictator. I’m settled into my new apartment.

Now, as I proceed, I have to keep telling myself, soldier on, girl! Don’t make this into yet another overly complicated, overly thought-out project. Just go with the flow and have fun!

Here’s where the good news comes in. I got up and finished Doggie Heaven at long last. I’d been chipping away at it for many weeks, an hour here or there at night. Some (okay, many) nights, not at all. I really felt that I’d bitten off way more than I could chew when I signed up for the Art League School workshop, thinking I would have a piece done over the two days. Hah! That was in March.

But something kept me chugging along. Guilt? The thought that I didn’t want the cost of the workshop and supplies to go to waste? The desire to see a fun concept come to completion? No doubt, a combination of all three.

What would a dog’s version of heaven be? Well, for one thing, biscuits would rain down from the skies. Fire hydrants would be plentiful for those calls of nature. And of course, there would always be a hand to rub the tummy.

These are a few pics of the work in progress. The head and tail were made from Sculpey. The fabrics have been hanging out in my closet for years after I picked up a pack of remnants at an outlet store.