stepping back a bit

on mother’s dayOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

I diverted just a bit from the rabbit quilt last week to work on a small Mothers Day gift for my mom. I’d meant to work on a piece with the image of my great-grandmother for longer than I’d like to admit. Sometimes it takes years….

I thought I didn’t know what I was going to do with the image, when in fact, I really did. I’ve probably known that for some time too, just hadn’t pulled all of the pieces together.

While the central piece is a transfer image, the rest of the fabrics are hand dyed. The top layer is linen in kakishibu and so is the cotton thread I used to quilt it together. The back layer (flannel in the middle) is tea dyed muslin.

It’s simple, but a helpful exercise in furthering my understanding of quilting, – more to it than meets the eye. I know how I could have better approached the indigo rabbit piece and will have to make some “adjustments.” In spite of that though, it’s turning out the way I’d hoped.

At any rate those “lessons” aren’t in either of these pieces, but they’ll be useful  later.  It didn’t take long to complete this piece and mailed it in time for “the” day and I just learned today that she likes it.

Inch by inch

2820

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I need to research that little phrase. It keeps “visiting” from time to time. It works well though in a lot of different contexts: the garden and then the textile work.

This hasn’t progressed as quickly as I’d hoped this week, but I’m finding little things that need to be done…little considerations that I hope will make a difference.

I’m also learning simply by trial and error why things need to be done in a particular way (some things, not all). Sometimes a book can’t tell you, you just have to experience it, make the “mistakes” and then work with it. That’s the deal anyway.

It’s very satisfying work though and love working with the layers, needle and thread and feeling the textures as I work. It’s a loving challenge.

I think that’s the deal here.  I love the color, the imagery, the patterns, the feel of the linen under my fingers.  I also love the challenge of the work – threading the needle, pushing it through the layers of the quilt, then pulling the thread (hand dyed thread, by the way) and seeing the form it creates.  It has to work.

Safflower sprouts

Safflower sproutsOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

The rain has been generous this week and I think there’s more around the corner. Although, at the moment the sun is out (first time I’ve seen it all week).

The first (Safflower) of the sprouts I planted last week emerged and I hope the rest will be along soon. They’re look hearty and plentiful. I may want to transplant some of them later (or start another bunch somewhere else). At any rate, I’m happy to see them.

It has taken far too long to get to this point – just growing them. The flower, the dye and colors they produce have long had an appeal. I’ve seen shows on NHK about the process, and one of Miyazaki’s anime (Omoide Poro Poro) shows a little of the flower harvesting. So, we’ll see what summer brings regarding that aspect of the garden.

The temps have also been unusually cool, for this time of year (at least it seems) or it’s our blackberry winter.  Although, it may be a bit early for that.  However that is, the cool and gloom have been ideal for staying indoors and making further progress on this quilted piece.

It took a couple of days just to complete the moon and I’m still not sure I don’t need to add a few more stitches somewhere else.  I’m working back and forth between the top most layer and the background layer at the moment, just letting them tell me what the approach should be. This morning I added the han (name stamp & logo) and waiting for it to dry before moving on.

It’ll be back to stitching this afternoon unless the sunshine and garden call.  I’ve got plenty more safflower seeds.  I can plant some and share the rest with the birds.

spring challenges

Last week my days were split between the garden and work on a small quilted piece for the wall.  I’m expanding my very small dyer’s garden and hoping to gain some needed experience in quilting.

I opened up space for more indigo, a bit of woad, safflower, madder and some milkweed and planted the seeds. It’s pure experiment,  for the experience and fun of being able to do it.  Finding space where the sun gives enough of what is needed is a challenge in my fairly shaded yard.  I have found a few forgiving spots though and hope to find a few more in the coming days.

 Quilting is a different approach for me.  I have always loved quilts, but have never really explored the craft.  However in working with some of my pieces  I’ve been thinking for some time that I needed to approach some things differently.  A characteristic of cloth is that it stretches, and my hope in trying this avenue, at least on this piece there might be less of that or at least the treatment would offer more stability or possibilities.  It’s another exploration.  I have to try it.

 I found in consulting with some of my expert quilting friends yesterday that I needed to make some adjustments on this rabbit piece, and today, decided that if it was going to be done “properly” I needed to take it apart and redo (which I did).  A note here – “properly” doesn’t necessarily mean traditionally, but a form that will give the piece the strength and stability it needs (it also needs to read well). At this point, I think it’s ready for quilting, at least I think I can begin the process.  It’s another challenge in the weeks ahead.

 

 

catching up

Sakura

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Yesterday felt more like a Sunday than what it was (a Saturday). It may have had to do with having spent the latter half of the day at the Japan Center. I think it had to do with stopping – slowing down – breathing – and taking time to focus on the surroundings – conversations and the watercolors on exhibit indoors. it was a refreshing afternoon.

The pine pollen has arrived with the warm weather, but so far it hasn’t been a discouragement from yard work. The garden beckons these days – there’s much to be done there. I did manage to plant a few seeds (we’ll see what happens), pull weeds and that kind of thing.

Warm weather also means time to rev up the organic vat. It seems to be coming along.

There are also projects/pieces in the making. It takes time and patience, but finally the warm weather.

I’ve got a few experiments in mind, things I’ve been thinking about since fall at least or even last summer. So once the studio is in order (it truly will happen) I can begin to approach those ideas and I can’t wait!

Rinse until clear

Sometimes the instructions say “Rinse until clear” or do they? Maybe it’s just rinse…I’m not sure, but I would rinse until clear. Rinse until it isn’t murky, thick or cloudy with color. That’s it　- today’s little tidbit (Sakura are calling…).

sample

sample

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

We’ve only just transitioned into spring, but I feel like it will slip away too quickly. I’m anticipating blooms on my Cherry tree – it feels like seconds away before their blossoms open fully. The sun is out after a couple of days of rain, gloom and bone-chilling damp. It’s welcome and cheering.

I’m staying away from the vat for another day – it still feels a bit too cool for that kind of work or play (although, I did just a tiny bit for class prep!). The stitched sample is far enough along to show to the kids and continue to work with it or not when the time comes. It helped that process – how much fabric do I really need for this? And there has to be a little leeway in there somewhere. They’re kids after all and it’s fun and exploration.

Most of the morning thoughts were on the upcoming summer youth classes. I’m still working up supply estimates. I’d hoped to be able to refer to last year’s list, but can’t and am puzzled by what I sent off last year. It definitely wasn’t specific enough (as far as I can tell). Where was my brain? Surely, I can improve on that this year. At any rate, that task is nearly done.

window to spring

window to spring

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

At the moment I’m waiting for the sun to do its job, warming things up a degree or two. It would help take the edge off.

Yesterday, it didn’t reach 50 and it was just fine. The birds and squirrels were busy in their activity and I even experienced a few insects (at least not the biting kind).

Today should even be more inviting, but there’s an edge this morning. I was at the sink rinsing a few items that had been through the vat yesterday and will need a few more dips today. At least, that’s the goal.

The work may even extend into tomorrow. it depends on today’s results and it’s likely. Nothing like a bit of spring sky though.

another approach

another approach

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Well, it may not look that different, but it’s smaller than the earlier piece (which is still in progress).

A friend suggested a 9 patch and I think that works. Another suggested colored threads (yes, definitely!).

We talked about different approaches to stabilizing the pieces. There are a number of approaches to that. I don’t want to complicate things too much.

It has been a gloomy, chilly day with a little precipitation – a great day for this.

summer prep

summer prep

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Actually, it’s been on my mind for some time – and good thing there’s still some for prep. I submitted the process last fall, but when it comes down to the specifics, I still need to plan further. It’s only because I like to change things a bit every year.

So, now it’s time to draw up that supply list for Artspace and I really need to know how much fabric and other supplies I’ll need. So, I’m walking through it – making a sample piece or two. If the kids don’t rise to it, we can make adjustments. I like to see what they can do or want to.

We’ll be together for a week in the afternoons (rising 3rd – 5th grade). I need to post class information on my workshop page – haven’t done so as yet.

At any rate, the kids need to be engaged (at least that’s the goal!) and that’s my challenge.