Guardian Spirits

Many years ago (2006?), during one of my first classes with Jude Hill,

I made a protective lion spirit.

When My brother died this lion went along on Scott's journey with him.

Yesterday I studied Temple Guardians, mostly fierce lions.

I realized my home (temple that we live in) was missing a guardian 

so I continued a lion cloth started long ago.

I know his tail is more fox like. He is, after all, my mythical spirit,

my Yaksha Lion, so his appearance is up to me.

Less is More and Then a Whole lot More

The last 2 days I've culled my fabric down to 3 baskets.

These boxes are going to ebay to find new homes.

This is what's left of my commercial and dyed fabric from the past 12 years.

It's not overwhelming as it was.

The dye basket is quietly growing new colors.
It feels right like this.

Listening to Jude Hill's color ideas and discoveries.

Love her way of explaining how colors "lean into one another". 

Thinking about what this can look like.

 

 Remembering how to sew 2 tiny pieces together into a chain then
cutting them apart to make pieced 2 inch patches. (saves time and thread).

Almost 9 months ago my little studio buddy passed on. 

In 2 weeks we'll bring home a new pup. This week seemed to

be the right time to add eyes to the invisible travelers.

They tell me he's a 'singer' and that's a fine thing in my opinion.

The studio will be full of new songs and stories.

A whole lot more going on here.

More Sewing and Embroidery With Slow Hands

I'm so much enjoying my fabric pile again, especially linen. My hands 

don't work as well with Parkinson's but I've found a fix. I went to Laci's catalog

and ordered a tambour hook along with 5" x 7" Morgan frame. This helps

and I hope to finish more embroidery components for cloth work.

Before the hook, etc I made two cloths.

I used felt for the dog. 

The yellow balls on the left are chicks needing beaks and feet.

Dyeing linens to embroider with Tambour. Amazing how much plain linen fabric pieces

I'm finding at my local thrift stores! Not to mention 99 cent linen clothing.

Every morning I dye a batch. Jars of color everywhere...wonderful!

 

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Jude Hill's Class

Considering and playing with 9 patch ideas.

Jude's moon center square.

Since this new class began I decided to learn to make a basic 9 patch.

Like this. Paper 2 inch squares inside like the Big Girl quilters do it.

The back makes me happy.

So happy that I made another. One of Jude's moon in the center.

And reading thru her generous online past classes remembered

bases and how much these small worlds can add to a cloth as a whole.

Lots of small thoughts in cloth adding to my inspiration.

Beginnings and side stories.

Parkinson's and Yoga

In early Feb I began Yoga classes as therapy for my  Parkinson's. I take meds which

help but I wasn't happy with limited movement and not ready to give in to this

condition. My Doctors, family and I are amazed at the results! Many of the side

effects are resolved. I'm able to go shopping  and eat out again.

I use a cane but haven't needed my walker lately. And the fatigue is no where 

near what it was before yoga. I sleep well again...so many good changes!

If you know of anyone with this condition please tell them about this Kindle book,

Yoga, Ayurveda Therapy Program - for Parkinson's Condition by Zoe Campbell

It's available on Amazon. My Yoga teacher looked at it today and said

it was similar to what she's teaching me. This school of Yoga is life changing for me.

Turning

Waking up and shaking off cold, wet days.

Opening the windows after too much time inside.

Out from under heavy clothes and quilts.

Remembering life renews with no effort on my part..

Sorting through cloth and stories.

Turning to beginning again with old and new friends.

 

More light

The cold months and dark days have their place and purpose.

Reading, clearing, cleaning, studying and good sleep.

Now you can read a newspaper outside at 6 pm.

More light. And here is Miss Pup who will join

our home on April 13.

We're preparing.