Which Word Is "The Word"?

"Lakedale Swans 2014"

As 2014 draws to a close I have been reading about the yearly rituals of choosing "a word" for 2015. The concept has always intrigued me, but which word is "the word"? The one word that will cast it's spell over the year to come?

I tend to be a realist as well as a bit of  skeptic, and I have never considered choosing a word or words that, almost by definition, would open me up to failure. Something like "lose weight", "be more focused", "creative", "energetic", "productive", "joy-full"? Of course I would like to accomplish all of these laudable things, but I truly dislike diets, find focus where and when I can, creativity is something that, most often, finds me rather than the other way around (ditto for productivity) and being "joy-full" is something that I aspire to every day anyway. For me, 'joy' is my "raison d'etre".

I used to wish for more time, but now that I have it, I fritter more of it away than I probably should, but I have always been prone to daydreaming. I think a bit of judicious daydreaming can cure whatever ails a person. I always wish for more energy, but that too ebbs and flows according to the vagaries of niggling maladies and various age and weather related aches and pains. No control there either.

What I can control though is my level of 'appreciation'. 

I truly do believe, and have experienced, that the memories that I cherish the most are not, ncessarily, of those 'larger than life' moments (first real job, marriage, divorce, first 'big' quilt hanging etc etc) but are bonded to the smaller, more quiet, everyday, small things. My moments are sometimes seasonal; in the Winter, I like to stop  to watch the newly returned swans gliding on the lake. I listen for the songs of returning red-tailed hawks and the strident shrieks of foraging bald eagles. I look forward to the return of the hummingbirds in March, the first daffodils of Spring and the sound of a friend's voice on the phone, or better yet seeing them once a week "at quilting". I try to remember that the ebb and flow of daily activities, no matter how boring they may sometimes seem, are the stuff that memories are made of.

During my regular work years, I had little enough time to appreciate or cherish the moments. Time did, and continues to, fly by me at a breakneck speed that is, at times, enough to cause whiplash. How is that I can so clearly recall a time in my life when I had time enough for all of life?  I had time to work, time to create, time to cook and clean, to visit and play, and all without feeling as though each moment was sliding all too quickly through my fingers. Life changes, we change, moments slide by. Time hurries on.

Last year, my friend, Janet, gave me  life changing book by Christian McEwen called "World Enough and Time". The book gave me 'permission' to appreciate the gift of having the time to daydream, to sit, to watch, to listen, to appreciate and to take in the small moments of my everyday life that all add up to the memories that I will always cherish.

There are so many things that I cannot control. Life is comprised of good and bad, happy and sad, sunshine and shadow. Not all days are productive, happy, fulfilling or positive. I cannot wave a magic wand and become thinner, younger, more creative, wealthier, happier or more productive.

What I can do is cultivate appreciation. I may not like feeling low at times, but I can appreciate that I will feel better. I cannot stop the inexorable flow of time through my fingers. What I can do is take the time to appreciate, and be glad for, the fact that I am around and relative healthy enough to have the gift of time.

I think, through the writing of this, I have found my word for the New Year. 

It is "Appreciate".

What will you appreciate in your New Year? Do yu choose a word or words? DO you make a resolution? Do you keep it? What are your personal New Year's traditions? I'd love to hear!

Light A Candle Against The Dark

YULE PEACE 

by Selena Fox

Make Peace on Earth, Make Peace Within

At the Suns Rebirth & 'Round the Wheel Again.

This evening I will light a candle against the dark and I will consider the blessings of the light that will soon follow.

Perhaps as a bit of an antidote to the rampant commercialism that has become our holiday season, I spent a bit of time this morning reading about the history of Winter Solstice celebrations. This year "holiday" television commercials began with Halloween. Perhaps, before long, advertising will begin on the 4th Of July! As the "season" for gift-giving becomes longer and longer I seem to become less and less excited. Is that reverse psychology at work or is just age? 

I have long considered that exchanging gifts at New Years (as they did in centuries past) might be a small way to protest against what I personally feel has become a travesty of the significance of this season of the spirit. Thus far, however, I seem to bend to our modern tradition, although I am usually such a slug about getting holiday gifts sent in a timely manner (even if they are right in front of me) that perhaps I have already edged towards that goal in a small way! 

I found this excellent article on the International Business Times website (of all places!). It is one of the best synopsis' of Winter Solstice lore and traditions that I found. The link will take you to the full article along with links (if they don't all work from here).

"......The winter solstice is the longest night and shortest day of the year. The Earth’s axis tilts the furthest away from the sun at 23-and-a-half degrees, giving all locations north of the equator less than 12 hours of daylight. This moment has been marked by mankind for centuries. 

In ancient Rome, the weeklong feast of Saturnalia honored the sun god Saturn. Celts believed the sunstood still for 12 days, making it necessary to light a log fire to conquer the darkness. During the Iron Age, the Celts and other ancient Europeans welcomed the winter solstice by feasting, merrymaking and sacrificing animals. Today modern pagans celebrate the holiday by lighting candles, throwing bonfires, hosting feasts and decorating their homes.

Early Celebrations

Celebrating the rebirth of the sun can be seen in other cultures throughout history. While these typically took place during the coldest, darkest days of the year, winter solstice traditions were celebrations that gave people hope sunny days lay ahead.

Egyptians celebrated the return of Ra, god of the sun, on a daily basis. Ancient Greeks held a similar festival called Lenaea. The Roman Empire held Saturnalia celebrations. Scandinavia's Norsemen called the holiday “Yule.”  Families would light Yule logs where they would eat until the log burned out – which could take up to 12 days. Each spark was believed to represent a new pig or calf that would be born in the new year.

Germanic peoples would celebrate the winter festival by honoring the pagan god Odin. Many believed he would fly through the night sky (on a magical flying horse) and determine who would be blessed or cursed in the coming year. Many decided to stay indoors, fearing Odin’s wrath.

Relation to Christmas

Originally the Christian calendar focused on Easter. It was only in the fourth century that the church decided Jesus Christ’s birthday should be celebrated. Since the Bible did not point to an exact date when Christ was born, Pope Julius I chose Dec. 25. It’s commonly believed that the church chose the date in an effort to replace the Roman Saturnalia with the Christian holiday.

"As the Christmas celebration moved west," Harry Yeide, a professor of religion at George Washington University told National Geographic. "The date that had traditionally been used to celebrate the winter solstice became sort of available for conversion to the observance of Christmas. In the Western church, the December date became the date for Christmas."

Besides the date, Christian leaders found ways to relate the pagan holiday to the Christian one.

"This gave rise to an interesting play on words," Yeide said. "In several languages, not just in English, people have traditionally compared the rebirth of the sun with the birth of the son of God."

Christmas traditions including dinner feasts, gift-giving, and decorative wreaths can be traced back to winter solstice rituals. For instance, for the Celtic druids, mistletoe was a sacred plant  called “All Heal.” Priests would cut the plant from the tree, hold a feast and sacrifice animals underneath it. Mistletoe was believed to cure illnesses, serve as an anecdote for poisons, ensure fertility and protect against witchcraft. Some people would hang it from their doorways or rooms to offer goodwill to visitors.

Ancient Romans would decorate their homes with holly during winter solstice. Holly wreaths were given as gifts and used as decoration in public areas and in homes to honor the sun god Saturn. Ancient Celts would have similar traditions. Many would plant holly in their homes as a form of protection since the plants was believed to hold magical powers for its ability to survive the winter months.

Modern Festivities

For Wiccans and Druids, Yule is one of the eight solar holidays celebrated each year. Wiccans see Yule as a time to spend with friends and family, exchange gifts and honor the sun. Homes are decorated with red, green and white decorations – colors that hark back to Druidic traditions.

Some Wiccans welcome the new solar year with light. Rituals can include meditating in darkness with lit candles, singing pagan carols and lighting Yule logs (either in indoor fireplaces or outdoor bonfires)....."

The Calm In Hand Work

I love sewing at my machine during the day, but after five o'clock I equally enjoy the prospect of doing handwork. I look to enjoying the calming pleasure of simple blanket stitches. This simple stitch somehow manages to look so different depending upon what thread I use. It's a simple fascination!

I have become a fan of Bonnie Sullivan's "Bertie". This little flannel bird and his whimsical antics are just so dang cute! I have "Bertie's Year" which I am working on sporadically and this little project is "Bertie's Winter". The "Winter" version is what I have been working on recently - perhaps logically!

Admittedly, I am not too much of a "cute" kind of gal so it is a bit of a mystery why I am enjoying this hand stitching so much. In the past I have also not been a fan of anything that smacks of "Block-Of-The-Month", but there is, indeed, something to be said for having the pieces already perfectly cut and ready to go. I can always change fabrics, add my own wools or otherwise customize the pieces if I choose to after all!

Although this sort of project is not much of an 'imagination bender', I do find that having handwork ready to go is a soothing way to spend an evening. In the end, I will enjoy having a seasonal wall hanging - it will be especially nice since I don't do much decorating for the holidays these days. My stitching is made "as easy as it gets" thanks to Shabby Fabrics. They provide the pattern with all of the pieces pre-cut nd ready to go! I may never be a true fan of "block-of-the-months" but, I have to admit, that I am thoroughly enjoying this easy way to spend an evening in mindful stitchery. 

There are still some more blocks to be stitched and, of course, beads to add, but I decided that to make the quilting easier it would be good to wait until all of the stitching and quilting is done before the beads go on!

Hexagons Are Like Potato Chips or How Red Is The New Neutral

I have to admit that I am a sucker for scrap quilts. I have always loved making them and sleeping under them! Since I divested myself of many bags of fabric last year my scrap box has become considerably smaller, and, let's face it, one person's scrap is another person's fat quarter. My scraps tend to be quite small. 

I have never considered making a hexagon quilt before. The shape has never intrigued me. When Sujata Shah's book, Cultural Fusion, came out I bought it and then I had to have a look at her website where I found her insructions for making her "Organized Chaos" quilt. I can't say that I plan to make "Organized Chaos" as presented, but I have become addicted to making hexagon blocks. 

I turned my scrap box upside down and started choosing bits and pieces. Technically one needs pieces that are 2.5" and 2.5" X 4.5". Easy... but some of mt smaller scraps made even those small sizes a challenge to find! Red is my neutral color. It goes with just about everything hat I use and so I did buy yardage of American Made Brand Cotton in Light Red.

My problem is that making these blocks is that I cannot stop making them. I have holiday gifts to finish and another project to get started on that is important, but making these blocks is like a siren song that just keeps calling to me!

I did invest in a KaleidoRuler from Marti Michell. It makes forming these blacks a breeze! I am a gadget girl and if there is a tool that makes my life easier I will try it! Her rulers are made to work - they are very well made of thick, quality, plastic and the indelible markings will last for your quilting lifetime!

Marti Michell's Kaleido Ruler (large size) - the end that forms the blocks.
The other end of the tool forms the corner triangles equally easy!

These blocks make pressing seams open crucial. With so many points coming together, you need to reduce the bulk as much as possible. I used my tailor's ham at first and then decided to try this new to the marker, Strip Stick. It really helps the pressing go quicker and more perfectly. I also like using  a regular seam roll for this purpose, but the strip stick is an excellent tool to have. It's a rounded hard wood stick covered with a padded cover. That makes it easy to get the seams to lie flat and press well. For thinner cottons, like some brands of shot cottons, I use starch as well. Of course, these tools are not at all necessary, but the do make the prssing easier and I like that!

Now that I have gone on about how much simple pleasure making these scrap blocks is providing me with, I had better get back to my regularly scheduled sewing- since projects needs completing and I need some more scraps to work with! 

Below - the bottom, flat side of the Strip Stick

Recent Constuctions

I have to say that having a break from blogging was beneficial in some ways. I went about me sewing busy-ness with not a thought about documentation. I barely managed to get photos of a lot of things. Of course, that's good and bad!

I finished the quilt in the photo on top. It's from Kaffe Fassett's book, "Shots and Stripes". I had gotten he book and the fabrics for this quilt when I was on Vashon Island for "Camp" last April. It felt great to decide on a project and finish it in the same year! It's being quilted now. I had the material so I did not spend any more on this on! It measures about 79" X 96"

 The quilt above was finished and quilted and I am working on the binding now. It's from the book "Making Quilts With Kathy Doughty of Material Obsessions". I used 90% stash fabrics for this quilt. It measures about 96' X 108'. I wanted to use my reproductions fabric stash in a  modern way. I think it worked out well. I have now made three large bed quilts from my reproduction stash nd there is still more to use. It's great to reduce the amount of fabric that I have...it gives me an "excuse" to buy a bit more! I have to take a phot of it now tha the quilting is done!

This knit shawl was a mystery knit from Sivia Harding. It's beaded and pretty and I learned some new stitches in the making of it.  It's an odd shape though - sort of wedge shape - and I have not figured out how best to wear it yet. It may be remade into something else.

These are Clover Wonder Clips. I have been interested in trying them for some years now, but I found that the price was a bit high and I was not convinced that they would be any better than what I had been using. DH gifted me with these. I found them in these lovely multi colors and for a reasonable price too! I have to admit that they DO work very well, better than what I had been using for certain.  I have been using them for quilt bindings and for holding the thick layers of the bags I have been making. Plus, I love these shiny colors... offering these in multi-colors was a good move for Clover!

When I make bags I often need a lot of small tools that I like to have close by. I also tend to use two different needles sizes. I kept knocking things off accidentally with my elbow or they somehow found they way onto the floor rather than into my hand. I decided to try this easy fix. I cut a piece of shelf lining and placed it right on the side of my machine. The small items stay put, don't mar the surface of the machine, and I can easily keep the extra needle tucked into the material. No more "lost" tools and they are right where I need them when I need them!

Tilly is wishing everyone a happy holiday season... I had to laugh when I took this photo. She was beginning to look irritated that I was getting too close to her carefully placed selection of toys!

Exciting News !

I have been absent from the blogosphere for some time. In all honesty, I had/have been struggling about the benefits of blogging. Let's face it. It takes time, energy and effort. Many people seem to want sound bites such Face Book. Although many friends assure me that blogging has not gone by the wayside and that they do read blogs - I was questioning it all. One of my friends even asked if I will ever blog again. So, the answer is yes! I do have some other things to share soon, but this is my biggest news right now and so I want to share the information first

I first met Virginia Spiegel quite a few years ago in Houston when she hosted her very successful "Fiber Arts For A Cause Postcard Fund Raiser". Aside from being a world renowned artist, Virginia has been an energetic fund raiser for The American Cancer Society for many years. To date, she has raised more than $240,000.00 through Fiber Arts For A Cause! 

Virginia attracts the very best works and so, when she contacted me awhile ago about being one of "The 100" for this years fund raiser I was a bit shocked and quite delighted!

I am, therefore, honored to be an invited artist for "The 100". The event will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2015. The goal for this fiber fundraiser for the American Cancer Society is to raise $10,000 in one day.

How could this happen? 

All the details are here: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/FFACThe100Fundraiser.html

Would you like to be a part of this amazing fund raising event? The recipients of these exclusive fiber art works will be part of a very select group. The invited artists are from the creme de la creme of fiber artists. 

One hundred patrons will be randomly assigned artwork from this extraordinary line-up of international fiber artists. As I mentioned, Fiberart For A Cause has already raised $240,000 through the generosity of both fiber artists and patrons. I am quite certain that this event will, indeed, meet its goal of raising another $10,000.00 in just one day through the generous donations of people like you my friends.

Not all of us have the funds to be able to donate what we would like to, but every bit helps. Even if you are not able to manage this particular event, please have a look at Virginia's site for more information about Fiber Arts For A Cause and Virginia's fund raising efforts. I do not know of many people who have not, in one way or another, been touched by this awful dis-ease. Every bit helps fund research efforts. We really do need to find cures and funding research is the only way to accomplish that.

Thank you for supporting Fiberart For A Cause.
When generous fiber artists and patrons join together, wonderful things happen!

What September?

This is what I tried to do in September!

It seems that September passed me by - at least in the blogging sense. One friend said that she had stopped checking in because it had been so long. I plea guilty! 

I have been on a bit of a social networking slow down. It began in early September. When I went on a retreat for a few days in mid-September I inadvertently forgot BOTH my cell phone as well as my IPad (which had all of my knitting patterns on it). I had to borrow a phone to check in with home every day, which was an embarrassment. I think that I can pretty much guarantee that I won't forget my phone again! That weekend set the tone for my media slow down though. I barely glanced at FaceBook or any other social networking site all month. I did not feel as though I was missing a lot though and that surprised me a little. I just found a bit more time in the day to actually work!

Hopefully, these images will show that I was not being a total slug during the month. I imagine that much of this will be old hat news for some of you!

One side of my donation quilt for a child.
It's an easy, adorable, Strawberry flower fairy.

Every year, as part of our community outreach, our Guild donates quilts to a school. The school is located in the Pike Place Market area in Seattle (not really local for us but we have been doing this for many years now). The pre-school is for the children of the working poor. The quilts are intended for the children to take with them when the 'graduate' to kindergarten.

The other side contains the flower fairy alphabet.

I continued with my leaf and flower printing experiments although I have to get back on the stick and catch some of the luscious fall colors that are popping out now. The leaves are Oregon Grape and the flower is a Zinnia type. The original color was a lush, brilliant, purple. My friend, Lauren, assures me that she has the tag from them so that I can grow some next year!

Mid month featured our annual retreat. Considering that I had only begun to get out and about again a week or two before this event I was thrilled to feel well enough to go. I did overdo just a bit but I simply HAD to make use of the spacious design walls at the retreat house. I took a few days to recover once I got home but I was so happy to have been there with good friends and laughter!

Behind my head you can just make out part of a
fabulous piece  Linda Cooper, was working on.
 It's patriotic with a definite design twist!

My project was this "fractured" quilt from the "Making Quilts" by Kathy Doughty. This quilt was made with 90% fabrics from my stash. I cleaned out all of my reds, yellows, oranges and blacks.  I can't fit the whole quilt into a photo, but the quilt is about 100" X 110" with it's black border (not shown here). I love using traditional fabrics in a slightly non-traditional way.

 Below is a beautiful little gem made by friend, Janet Wright. I think that her use of the pattern and the colors all add up to a fresh, modern feel for this piece. We were all amazed at how the gradient border fabric (shown top and right) gave the impression of light coming in from an outside source. These amazing fabrics are from the E.E.Schenck Daiwabo Gradients line and I hope that they will not discontinue making them!

 Below: This cheerful quilt was made by Tori Benz-Hillstrom. She considers herself to be a beginner quilter, but she has that natural ability  to do things right that has already made her an 'expert'. Aside from finishing this during our short 3 day stay she also pieced another whole 'sofa' sized top!  

 Below: Another friend, Judy, was making these special 60 degree (?) table runners. They requite a special tool (60 degree ruler?). She got Tori interested in making them too. I have to admit that they look really great don't they?!

 Below: Liz made this wonderful "Professional" tote bag.  had made one of these some years ago. The pattern is beautifully done. It's just of those that you need to follow precisely and not think too much about as you make it. Liz's tote came out looking professional indeed both in workmanship as well as in color scheme.

Not too long after our retreat I visited Liz and noticed this amazing quilt on the wall. She designed the crow patterns herself and cut them out meticulously. I am in love with this quilt and might be tempted to take it home with me. It is an amazing piece and I think that it deserves much more attention!

Also in September I participated in a Mystery Knit Along with Sivia Harding through Ravelry. This is called the "Liken Shawl" and the design was inspired when Sivia found a beautiful piece of shelf Lichen during a visit to my fair island. Of course, I had to make this shawl! This photo shows only the first two "Clues". I am almost finished with it now though and am anxious to have it blocked. For this I also used stash yarn! I love knitting with beads and this design presented ample opportunities for using them!

I have been using a crochet hook when I knit with beads. It worked alright, but I was always a bit frustrated that I had to keep dipping into the tin of beads. I was designing a beading hook in my head when I happened upon this excellent little contraption called the Fleegel Beader from Miss Babs. It is available in three different sizes to accommodate a variety of bead and yarn sizes. It holds a lot more beads and is a much easier alternative I think! 

There is another model of beader called the Verna-X beader from one of my favorite beaded knit pattern vendors, Earthfaire (also available in different sizes). These beading needles are very similar. The Verna-X is a bit longer nd hence holds a few more beads. Foe me, the Fleegel seems just a bit easier to use, but it may be that my hands are small and so the shorter size feels more comfortable? If you like beading knits too do yourself a favor and have a look at these. They are both modestly priced. I think that they are made from guitar strings perhaps. I used pliers to add a tight scroll to the bottom below the rubber washer in case the washer slipped (which it seemed to do).

A few questions to ponder:

• How do you feel about social networking? 
• Do you ever feel the need for a break?
• Do you tend to stop looking at blogs if they do not post regularly?
• How often would you like to see a blog post?
• do some months just fly by for you - leaving you in the dust wondering where time went?!

Lastly, if you have gotten all of this way and you happen to need a new set of Holbein Gouache paints - I happen to have one for sale. I accidentally placed a duplicate order. They came straight from Japan and this set is untouched - other than for taking the photo. I paid more than $50. but make me an offer if interested. I will be putting it on Etsy and Ebay shortly.... 

Here is a link to this set on Amazon

More Eco Dyeing Experiments

Paper Bark Birch and Black Walnut leaves from two of my favorite trees. These samples were steamed with alum and white vinegar mordants

I have been taking a break from social media and being online. Not totally, but I have cut way back. I found that I was simply spending too much time online and not enough time actually 'doing'. It actually feels good to be a bit more "unhooked" for the time being, although I am certain that the pendulum will swing again at some point. 

I feel as if I lost a good bit of my summer being chair bound for 2.5 months, but I am enjoying playing a bit of "catch up" now! 

The week before last I started driving again, and I felt like a teenager with a newly printed license! I have gained more empathy for elders who no longer can drive. It is not a fun thing to be dependent on people to get every little thing for you all of the time!  I am also deferring my surgery for a bit. The thought of another back surgery is quite 'off-putting' for me and so, until the pain is once again too much, I will wait.

One of the things that I had planned to do at the beginning of the season was to learn some more about eco-dyeing. I love the kismet of this experience. There are some successes along with  a lot of "meh" results as well.

Black Walnut leaves

One of the things that I am currently experimenting with is what mordants work the best and how much, or how little, moisture I need to achieve the best prints from leaves. I have a project in mind and so I am just using small squares of silk noil from Dharma Trading do my experimenting with - along with my supply of "stashed" silks too.

Paper Bark Birch Leaves

The first thing that everyone asks when they see these samples is "what will you make from them?". Well, I am not sure what exactly, although I do have a project in mind that will use the best of the leaf print experiments. I would also like to make a wearable from the over-dyed kimono silks that I am accumulating. I have been looking online for a simple, somewhat boxy, blouse pattern to use, and I am finding it very difficult find the perfect pattern! Who knew that this would be difficult?!

Does anyone have any pattern suggestions for a simple blouse that would work for a "collaged" fabric look?

Does anyone have any eco-dyeing/ eco bundling tips to offer? 

Crocosmia stalk and blossoms

Steeped Bundle Dyed Silk

It was difficult to get a photo of the entire length of the cloth! This is the first length.
There are two different patterns in the silks. 

Many years ago I purchased these kimono silks from Ah! Kimono. I miss the monthly mailing I used to get! Now I am not sure where to look for vintage kimono silk!

There are two different lengths of vintage kimono silks in the photos. There were  originally white, patterned silks.  Since I have I have become enamored with India Flint's stuff and steep dyeing methods and these two pieces were "canned" with white vinegar, a pinch of rust, and summer time red maple leaves. They were left to cool and "cure" for two weeks. I am quite happy with the depth of color that I was able to achieve. 

I spent today trimming a variety of leaves and doing some "canning". 

I am on the hunt for eucalyptus now!

You can find some decent leaf shapes if you look. There is one on this section mid-image top .

A Chance To Win Lesley Riley's Newest Book!

As you may have read I was honored, and very fortunate, to have been included in Lesley Riley's latest book, "Creative Image Transfer".

This is a rendition of the personal photograph that I used for the project that is included in the book It's called the "Be Peace" bag.

Lesley is generously offering the chance to win a copy of the book PLUS 5 sheets of  amazing TAP transfer paper !

Just go here for the simple details!

http://www.lesleyriley.com/weblog/?p=2555

Bundle Eco-Dying A La India Flint's Stuff, Steep, and Store Method

I have been waiting all summer to be able to get down those few steps to my house so that I could gather some plant materials for some eco dying a la India Flint's "Stuff, Steep and Store" methods. Finally, over the weekend, I was up doing a bit of plant gathering, and with surgery just a week or so away, I wanted make haste while the sun shines so-to-speak!

For those of you who may not have heard of India Flint before she is the queen pin of all things bundle dye (my hero of natural dyes is Jenny Dean). Bundle dying is, I believe, more unique, to India.

There are many ways to learn more about Ms. Flint. Her blog, The Prophet of Bloom" is a delight:

http://prophet-of-bloom.blogspot.com/

You can find her on FaceBook at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/India-Flint/143450949059728

My first awareness of India Flint's work was thanks to my friend Janet, the knower of all things. I love India's book on bundle dyeing, named aptly enough, Eco-Color:

http://www.amazon.com/Eco-Colour-Botanical-Beautiful-Textiles/dp/1596683309

Her two most recent books are both self published through Blurb. The one that I used for this "canning" method of dying is from her  48 page offering entitled "Stuff, Steep and Store". It contains a lot of images as well as the salient points of this method, which is genius in its simplicity.

http://www.blurb.com/b/4962838-stuff-steep-+-store

Her most recent  Blurb book is also a short 50 pages and is described as a "... pocket guide to eco-print bundling..."

http://www.blurb.com/books/5423526-the-bundle-book

This method uses your "normal" canning tools to process your plant dyes. Here I have some cottons (pre-mordanted in soda ash) and silks (pre-mordanted in white and apple vinegars). I collected horsetail, ferns, maple leaves, peppermint, dandelions, comfrey, and blackberry leaves from the yard, and I used bits of metal added to the water. The hardest part will be seeing how long I can make it before I unlock the surprises lurking in these jars.  I have some more ideas that I want to try, and am looking forward to some autumn leaves.

 Here you can already see how the blackberry leaves are printing beautifully. This makes me think that I should have added fewer leaves to the fabric because they look (or I think they look) so nice each leaf by itself!

Here is a maple leaf peeking out already. Rich promises emerging from the murk!

Birds Galore! Learning to Draw!

Lesson 2: My very first bird drawing of a Ferriginous Hawk

NOTE: To all of my FaceBook friends 

-you have most likely seen all of these images on FaceBook.

Although it may seem that I have been quiet on my blog I have been busy taking a wonderful, highly recommended, class from Val Webb about Drawing birds in colored pencil, as well as in a 60 day bird challenge on FaceBook hosted by Kimberley Baxter Packwood. The combination of the two seemed meant to be.

I have never been too fond of using colored pencils. They always seemed like a 'meh' art supply, but thanks to Val Webb I am learning that they are underestimated and offer many more options that I knew of. I am also not a 'drawer' - I have always failed miserably in my attempts before, and so I have taken care to go slowly and learn as much as I can. I am only on lesson 7 now, and my latest project (not shown here) is tackling a birds nest.

Lesson 3: Perching Birds. A Blue Jay.

Lesson 4: A puffed up Lilac Breasted Roller

Through these images you can see how I progress - or not. I have been learning so much, and it makes me realize how far I have to go. Of course, as with anything, learning to draw takes practice and more practice. I have to make time for it. Being relegated, more or less, to a chair at the moment, has blessed me with the time (and fewer distractions) to devote to some learning and practice!

Drawing 5 - a supremely wonderful, white, chicken!

Lesson 5: Drawing white birds.

The moment that I saw the image of this Egret I knew that I wanted to draw the head. There were other drawing options, but this was "the one". I think that I have had the most success with this drawing. It may be the best that I will get! I connected with this amazing eye and I took my time in the process and loved every minute

Lesson 6: Drawing black birds

I also enjoyed drawing this Grackle. I wanted to draw a crow instead, but the aim of this lesson was to learn how to may luminescence work with the pencils, and so I honored the lesson and will draw a crow after the class ends. I am leaning so much about the possibilities of colored pencils! Who knew?

Lesson 7: Eggs and Nests

I have worked on some eggs which is the start for this lesson, and am slowly working on th nest - which is probly the most challengeing this thus far.

I have always been afraid of drawing becuase I am not very good at it. I like it enough that I want to conquer my fear and do more. My plan is to continie take morelessons from Val and then, when it is next offered, I will be doing Sketchbook Skool. Now I just have to find the time for all of my "loves". I can't stop knitting or quilting, and mixed media just pulls at me if I stay away too long... hummmmm

Do you ever find yourself with one too many passions?
How do you balance them all?
Have you ever dropped on thing in favor of another? How did you decided?

My latest, not quite finished wool applique block about, what else, birds! I still have to add the word "birds" in the upper right corner. It was perfect for the Bird Challenge though!

I also used my mixed media indigo buntinf for the challenge. I guess I have a lot of birds on hand!