This time, it is creating a donation piece for our local community. We have a very dedicated group of people who give of their time and resources to support a local elementary school and I like to contribute to the annual auction. While I am not quite ready to share pictures of my donation yet, I have already wet-felted the background of a wallhanging that is quite large. It has lots of texture including luscious curls and pieces of silk that I have either Sumi painted, dyed and or de-gummed.
I had an accident (won't go into details but suffice it to say, it held me back a bit) and it has taken a while and I am getting back to normal. I'm forever grateful to the ladies at the Maye River Gallery for their support and understanding - one in particular offered right away to take my place and work for me when I couldn't.
In the meantime, my Ya-Ya sisters (remember that great movie?) visited - we have been friends for 30+ years and saw that movie together years ago, we shared memories and had some great laughs. I made them each a fascinator and we had such a great time together reminiscing.
About a week later, our eldest daughter and her husband came to celebrate her birthday and it was magical indeed but never long enough so there hasn't been a lot of opportunities to work.
Well back to the wall hanging: I do love details and finding just the right finishing touches is my job this week - since my piece does have some Sumi ink painted silk and was inspired by the Japanese textiles that I love so much, I want it to have lots of interesting things to look at but keep it simple at the same time. So the theme is nature although I haven't given it a title yet); my love of leaves will come into play once again. I experimented making skeleton leaves and would have continued today, except I ran out of propane for my outside stove. But can I say that I'm in love? oooh nature, nothing is better and I am so amazed that the color and the veins of the real leaves mimic my silk hankie maple leaf that I stitched some time ago - they will be incorporated. Of course, I had to add just a tiny touch of dazzle.
And of course, I need to mention my teaching trip to Scotland - WOW!!! Such an exciting time and everyone was so kind to and made every effort to make a memorable time. My Heart Belongs to Scotland but I do LOVE the USA.
