Lost in the Process

I have been slowly getting back to doing what I love best, I can just get lost in the process.  I'm so understanding of my students when they take a while to do the layout of a project because I can so relate, I love it so (although I do have to push myself along as well as those in class or we would never finish!  This is a luxurious alpaca/silk prefelt that I had in my stash for ages - to begin trying to get back to normal, I had to consider standing time as my back still gets tired and helped.  The prefelt was deep grey with a fine layer of black merino on top.  Some of the fabrics I used were interesting bits and pieces that I had dyed with pomegranate wrapped inside and iron water.  The fascinating thing is that two of the pieces were cheesecloth and two others silk; now that they are felted in, I truly cannot tell the difference in quality.  Other materials used were silk velvet burnout, silk hankies and silk carrier rods.  It is very, very soft and warm.

More really soon . . . . promise!

Madonna

Who is Madonna you might ask and why am I mentioning her?  I thought you'd like to know why I hadn't posted in a very long time.   Well, Madonna was my alter ego for 3 months; she was a clamshell brace that I could only remove at night (and that was a blessing).  You see, on October 13, I slipped in the shower, broke my back and wrist; my wrist required surgery and I had 7 screws and a  plate installed so I've been out of action since then.  First time in an ambulance and first time hospital stay except for childbirth many years ago.  The Beaufort Memorial Hospital was the BEST - (can't say enough good things).  Thank goodness for a supportive husband and family to see me through.  Madonna though wasn't your ordinary brace, noooo, in fact, she was quite shapely and formed to my own body shape - actually, once I got used to her she was quite fun (she actually wore Christmas lights at our neighborhood annual party and was quite a hit!) but don't let that fool you, we had a love/hate relationship.  But she did see me through and now she is stuffed and is going to pay forever by being poked with pins - you see, she makes the perfect body double as she was measured to fit.

 

Aren't our bodies miraculous?  It is more than incredible to me that we are able to have such an awful injury and with the aid of good Dr's and patience, God works his miracles to heal.  I'm just so grateful to be well on the road and to perfect healing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiber Art Show and Sale NEXT WEEK

YIKES!!! so much to do and so little time!  Let's see, I have indigo dyed bamboo socks, eco and indigo dyed silk charmeuse, chiffon, habotai, silk/wool blend, silk cotton blend scarves and wraps; felted soaps, felt flowers (not as many as I had planned since I only have two hands - really!), nuno scarves, a couple of nuno jackets and felted vests, AND indigo dipped leggings as well as some wall hangings and some lovely silk eco prints that I plan to hang in the gallery so they will "float" as the air moves (going to sell some of my silk fusion hand stitched samples as well to make room for new).

Hoping to do some eco printed cards and labels as well but time is running out!  If you are within driving distance, come see the show and join in the fun - have some wine Friday night and see some demos on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

There are twelve other artists and I am the only felt maker, so there will be lots of wonderful variety to enjoy.

FELT WORKSHOP IN BALTIMORE

Still spaces left for the FanciFULL vest workshop on November 1, 2 and 3 for the Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore!   Come join in the fun and create two pieces of creative felt on day one, cut them up on day two and stitch them up into a great creative vest on day 3.  Learn how to free-motion stitch your felt pieces together into a unique garment.  This is the front of Eve's vest from our Opulent Fibers workshop and I'm sure she and the others would tell you how fun and creative the process is!  Let me know if you need more information!

The Elusive Orange Eucalyptus - FINALLY!!!

I have grown old while trying to achieve the bright orange red euca prints - FINALLY!!!   Yesterday morning when I opened my bundles, to say I was ecstatic was an understatement - my husband came to see what all the fuss was about and the high is still with me!  It has literally taken me years - and the best part?  My very own euca tree (baby that she still is, gave me wonderful pints).

As "crazy eyes" (Orange is the New Black, actress) said on a PBS interview "my mom told me in her African accent that something always comes from working haaaard"!!!  and yes I worked very haaaaard!

So here they are!  Euca overdyed on indigo, or osage orange and the small leaves are from my sweet tree!   I also got a couple of euca plants with tiny leaves that you can see in the second picture.

Dyeing for Felting

About two weeks ago, I spent just about the whole week dyeing outside - I have a great little setup now right outside our shed, under the overhang; my clever and always industrious husband, Peter, even managed to run water out there and installed a laundry tub!  All my supplies are close at hand in the shed and it is very easy to get carried away - and carried away I did - over 50 yards of silk and cotton varieties.  Here are some pictures, although I must say that my photography leaves a lot to be desired but for the present, I'd rather work on being a master of felting and dyeing rather than a master of photography as much as I love and appreciate good pictures - maybe one day I will do better.  There are a ton of pinks/red/fuchsia/orange too but this week time is of the essence in preparation for my trip to Opulent Fibers next week so no time for more pictures!