More Applique

After ironing freezer paper to the felt body on this galloping little horse

I was able to cut my sketch with little stretching. Then just peeled it off

so I could applique and embroider the details. The wax surface held just

long enough for cutting-no residue.

 

I ordered a bit of silk velvet for more applique. Somehow hearts came from

working with soft velvet. The sewing down was so gentle, velvet seems 

to love being sewn. I know I enjoyed the feel of it under my needle.

Years ago I used to carve stamps so got them out and experimented.

Dated my Ranger Archival black ink pad when I opened it 2/24/14.

It was a soft grey on fabric now ( a bit dry). Perfect for soft impressions.

 

The grand boy is visiting. Harry Potter marathon and a happy puppy

who loves running after him. Good long days to enjoy.

Slow Moving Rainstorm and Relief

All day the rumbling thunder carried from miles away. 

Humidity long building up was heavy in the air.

We watered tomato plants and listened to weather reports.

Thunder woke sleeping  pups and napping old folks with books open on our chests.

We'd been waiting for this storm all day but it crept in after dark.

Giving surrounding cornfields a good, long drink and singing us all to sleep.

 

I do so love this world and our good place in it.

 

 

 

Reclaiming

For 2 days I went thru unfinished cloth from studying online with Jude.

I reclaimed fabric, harem cloth and ideas as I took apart stitches. Ideas that got

stuck in the making but kept the energy of making in them as I snipped stitches.

This

became this

A darker force threatening and a fiercer lion to protect.

The difference between a pretend lion suit and the real thing.

While I was looking into protective animals this guy showed up.

My what big teeth you have.

Homecoming

 The pup was finally old enough to come home this past weekend. We picked

him up from near Charlottesville, Va and the poor guy howled all the

way home (2 hrs). Then we let him loose in the front yard and

he did a happy dance!

Now this is what I see when I look down.

Life is good.

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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