Placing, then removing, trying a new piece, adjusting. Placing it down, stepping back, repinning. Finally leaving it be and moving on to the next step: thread. Spilling out all the choices. Sifting through, picking out the finalists. Looking at the individual threads – only one or two this time? Simple decisions…
Hand-dyed cotton, perle cotton
Stitching – running, french knots, cross stitches seem to be my favourites. Something different next time?
Two stitch meditation squares featuring shades of green and turquoise. I see warm Caribbean waters, palm trees and miles of sandy beaches! Wishing I could escape the cold, dark days.
Coarse white linen, hand dyed pink, green, indigo shibori linen
The current situation in the world has made relaxing and stitching thoughtfully even more important. But, also more difficult. Your mind has difficulty focusing. I find that focusing by listening to a podcast can help. Two of the podcasts I’ve been listening to deal with art, artists and the business of creating and selling art. They are conversations between friends and interviews with other creatives. What are you listening to?
Stitch Resources
Podcast: Laura Horn Art Podcast – Helping artist to build their skills, confidence and creative style.
Podcast: Art Juice – The podcast for artists, aspiring creatives and art lovers
I posted earlier that I was preparing for the SAQA pop-up and registration for MoSAiQA. That has now become a virtual conference and so has the pop-up! I will be posting newly washed snow dyed scarves and fabrics on Instagram. Everything is available for purchase.
Cerise III. 100% Linen snow dyed. 24×95″; 65x240cm $70.00 CAD
Scarves and fabrics are featured on my Instagram and Facebook feeds. Descriptions and prices are listed too. I will continue to post regularly here. Unless, of course, this social distancing continues longer. My long term goal is to post all my handmade items on my online shop. Currently listed are linen/rayon crinkle scarves from late 2019.
Sign up for my newsletter where I’ll keep you posted on my studio news. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy viewing these. They make me happy!
Two stitch meditation squares featuring shades of green and turquoise. I see warm Caribbean waters, palm trees and miles of sandy beaches! Wishing I could escape the cold, dark days.
Repurposed silk, hand dyed cotton, sari silk, silk ribbon, perle cotton
Repurposed sari silk, cotton and silk batik, hand dyed cotton, cotton thread
Stitch Resources
Article: Wax, Melinda. Meditation on a Simple Stitch. (2013)
Creating with the light on – One stitch at a time!
Why does time move more quickly as you get older. I find myself running out of time to do the things I really enjoy. But, I am finding time to work on other (unnecessary) projects and daily housework more and more. So, I spend less time on the 100 Day Stitch Meditation Project than I had expected when I first started. It certainly hasn’t become a focus of my down time! Read about the 2 Argentinian artists who have made their entire life about hand embroidery and sharing everything in their lives together. The projects they hand embroider take years to complete!
The other article I read from Selvedge Magazine is about an exhibition of work: “of seven pioneering women who went against all established norms to create some of the richest, most diverse and international public collections of textiles in the UK today.” So many beautiful pieces of hand work!
Stitch Resources
Blogpost: Hewitt, Bonnie Burstein. Argentinian Artists Stitch Their World Together at Lux. Encinitas Advocate. 27 Jan. 2020
I’ve been experimenting with an insertion technique and have successfully made a number of small pieces. This one was intended for the SAQA Spotlight Auction held during the MoSAiQA Conference. It was to be held here in Toronto March. I was happy with the quilting of it, but it was much larger than it needed to be for the finished size of the auction item.
I decided to keep it and make another for the auction. To finish it, various sizes and orientations were auditioned by using a mat cut into two pieces. Below are the 3 options.
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
There are very subtle differences between the 3 options. I was also trying to leave a seam allowance (very slim in some areas) to attach the binding.
I love the finished piece. But, it is smaller than I originally intended. I also thought I wanted more hand stitching but I am happy with just the two rows of it.
This technique of inserting a fine strip into another is one that I will experiment more with. It isn’t very apparent in this example. I have an idea of making one larger piece with 3 insertions moving in different directions. The trick will be not to distort the background fabric. My next will be an experiment with 2 insertions.
Traditional meditations are not easy to explain or learn. It’s a process of bringing your mind back to noticing your breath when it wanders. This is one explanation that I can understand. I know my mind wanders – did I lock the door, what should I make for dinner, do I need groceries …. on and on until I’ve planned the entire meal and cleaned up too!
Repurposed silk, batik dyed cotton, silk and cotton batik, hand dyed perle cotton
So too, I’ve let my time and energy for stitch meditations wander away from me. There are things out of our control that impact our lives. It’s important not to give up though, to stop wandering and settle down – back to noticing each stitch. Again and again!
Studio Art Quilt Associates is hosting its first ever conference outside of the USA here in Toronto! I am a new member of this organization and excited to be attending as a member. I am also participating as a vendor of my snow and hand dyed fabrics and scarves at its pop-up on Thursday March 19, 2020 from 10-6.
