Mandala XVII

(Above:  Mandala XVII. 30" x 30".  Assorted found objects hand-stitched to a section of an old Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.  Among the items are brass hinges, felt covered piano hammers, clock gears, beer bottle caps, Tinker Toy wooden wheels, white plastic rings, Mahjong tiles, keys, baggage zipper tabs, blue concrete screws, plastic spoons, binder clips, tiny ceramic insulators, name badge clips with rings, two early 20th century metal awards, alarm clock face, and half of 400' film reel.  $550 plus sales tax and shipping. Click on any image to enlarge.)

Even as Mandala XVI was enjoying hundreds of "likes" and "shares" on social media, I was busy stitching on the next piece.  Like the earlier one, I challenged myself to allow the Grandmother's Flower Basket pattern to play a integral part of the finished look (as opposed to covering up most of surface, almost obliterating the quilt pattern ... like I seemed to do with Mandala XV.)  Because the motifs do not actually perfectly align either horizontally or vertically, (they align only on diagonals!) this really is a challenge! 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala XVII.)

Because of this, I also attempted to create a sense of motion by placing the plastic spoons at an angle.  I think it really worked.  The fact that the center hexagon on the top motif is slightly to the left of the center hexagon on the center motif isn't any more noticeable than the center hexagon on the lower motif being slightly to the right.  It all looks symmetrical ... even though it isn't!  Success!

(Above:  Detail of Mandala XVII.)

I am also quite happy with the colors of the quilt impacting the whole.  It was fun to drill holes in the Mahjong tiles.  It was hard to separate the two sides of the 400' film reel but I managed.  This means I still have another side for a future piece.  Without separating it, the reel felt too thick.  I had to use a flat head screw driver and a hammer to break the solder holding the two sides together.  It was worth it!

(Above:  Ernie helping to ship Mandala XVI to California ... or attempting to become a stowaway!)

These mandalas are truly challenging me and I'm loving every one. What's even better is the fact that others like them too.  In fact, a nice lady in California asked her "Santa" to arrange a special holiday gift.  It was carefully wrapped in fabric.  A piece of upholstery foam protected the front.  It went into a large conservation glass box ... which is when Ernie, our new cat, decided to help!  He truly seemed to be thinking about becoming a stowaway in the large, corrugated box in which the inner package was placed! 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala XVII.)
 

Of course ... I'm already stitching on the next mandala!  Love doing this!