Wednesday, November 30, 2011

rushing and running

My life is mostly a blur these days. Much to do, so little time. Running over here then dashing over there. And the to-do-list is growing miles long. Here is a sample in no particular order: caring for a feverish boy, filling post-thanksgiving orders, setting up the studio for first friday, book keeping, continue the page design for our family history book project, vet visit, making inventory for craftacular the weekend after next, cleaning the shower (yes, it is really needed), finding a wholesale source for moleskine books, buying more thread, sending baby gifts to the Martz twins, dinner for tonight (and tomorrow), finish Jane's pillow. Well it goes on.



So I decided to take a break and took my camera out in the garden, looking for the little things and the big, wanting a different perspective. This is what I found. Beauty all around.

last rose of the season

forgotten string in the kitchen garden

everlasting beech leaves

vivd color – osage orange

vivid color – burning bush


the oak tree reminding me about what's next

buds holding the secret of spring

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

giving thanks



I have much to be thankful for. Health, family, happiness, friends, work... but without my boys, life would just stop in its tracks. They continue to amaze me with their accomplishments, compassion, smarts, and love. I am so lucky.



And my girls makes me to wake up every morning with a smile, whether I am ready for it or not.

Happy thanksgiving everyone!

Friday, November 18, 2011

pecan love story - weekly bundles no. 9



My infatuation with the pecan leaves continues. This time I used fallen leaves from a couple of trees in our neighborhood. They were yellow, withered, and tattered. But the prints still turned out beautiful. The long wool piece was previously dyed with eucalyptus, and had a wonderful coral hue before being bundled up and simmered in the iron pot. The leaves turned a rich gold color on the thick silk organza and muted brown on the linen. Both kinds of fabric squares were layered with the leaves between glass plates and clamped tight. The paper prints were done on thin craft paper that my art store uses for wrapping – I love the faint imprints and the tissue like quality of the paper.



pecan on eucalyptus dyed wool jersey, simmered in iron pot. 



pecan on linen, pretreated with alum and soy milk





Pecan on silk organza, simmered in iron pot. 



Pecan on craft wrapping paper, simmered in iron pot.

You probably have realized by now that the weekly bundles no longer are that weeekly. It was a bit ambitious for someone who only blogs once a week on average anyways. I will continue, and I will still tag and call these posts weekly bundles, but they will not appear as regularly as I first intended.



Lastly, a brief sum up of some of the fun I've had the last few weeks. My days on the farm were amazing with spectacular weather, lovely companions (bovine, feline, canine, and human), and lots of work produced. This past weekend's Artisan Studio Tour was a great success. Both of my new books were snatched up, and I also sold a few wall hangings and met many, many lovely and interesting people. Thank you to all who stopped by!


Friday, November 11, 2011

ready for the tour


It will be a perfect weekend for this years Artisans Studio Tour. Thirtyfive talented artists will display their incredible work in 19 studios in Charlottesville and surrounding areas. I will be in studio no. 10 with my dear friend Mary Beth Bellah, and furniture maker Brian Rayner. I am excited about the new work I am bringing along. My first handmade books in the tree series are finished, inspired by my recent eco dyeing on paper. I will have new small wallhangings on display, as well as notebooks, pillows, linens, sachets, and much more. The studio is open from 10 - 5 both Saturday and Sunday. The weather is supposed to be glorious and I would love to see you there!








Friday, November 4, 2011

away

I have loaded the car with all imaginable sewing supplies, including the ironing board, two large pots, two sewing machines (in case one breaks), the typewriter, yards of fabric both printed and not...

I am heading back here, to look after the critters while our friends and their beautiful daughters are zipping over to London. The few days in solitude will be used to get ready for the Artisans Studio Tour taking place next weekend. I am planning to dye, stitch, and stock up. I will report once I return.
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