#4 in my Family Series is Complete!

I have a slowly evolving family series in fabric wall art that I've been working on over the past few years. They are personal and meant to evoke a memory or capture something I've been thinking about. 

Friday Nights with Nana

Every Friday night my family would drive from CT to NH for a weekend of skiing. We would stop at my Nana's house along the way to sleep over before heading to the slopes Saturday morning. My Nana was a fun loving and intriguing person. Her lifestyle was very different from what I knew in my young life so it always felt like an adventure being with her. She had a rocking chair that terrified me! It was made of some type of plastic that felt icky against my skin and it was a high backed chair which didn't seem to balance properly. It always felt like I was a half second from going over backwards! But of course as a kid I continued to rock! Friday night was also Lawrence Welk night on TV... an a one an a two! Nana typically had a knitting or crochet project going and she smoked... and smoked! Eventually she got emphysema but back then the tobacco companies were selling their story that cigarettes were safe. 

This piece is whimsical and meant to be light hearted. Nana was a giggler and happy to play with a little girl. Her unconditional love helped shape my character and she will always be tucked away in my heart.

I hope you have someone whose memory makes you smile! 

Another Tiny Tapestry!

I am having a ball weaving tiny tapestry's! They are rough looking but each time I complete a piece I learn a little more about technique. Even though I complain about the time each one takes the process of weaving is meditative and calming! We can all use more of those feelings in our lives! 

Taming the beast! 

This is a New England memory!  

Are you a weaver? Can you recommend any books that show a lot of stitches and techniques? 

January = Snow Dyeing Fun!

Looking out my windows I can see the beautiful snow capped Rockies. They are breathtaking to view especially with a bright blue sky to make them pop visually! We've had multiple mini snowstorms in my town which gives me lots of inspiration for getting out to dye with snow. Usually when I dye it's a very free and unplanned session. This time I took a more methodical approach by pressing and clamping the fabric before I soaked in soda ash and water. I have to say I'm happy with the results and admit there is something positive to be said for the concept of planning in advance! 

Free Style Fabric Paint - Progress Photos!

In a quest to expand and explore my approach to art I'm using fabric paint in a more free style manner! I'm trying to be loose and not worry so much about the end result. I find I have to talk myself through not being fussy in order to stay loose. My brain automatically wants to "correct" my work. I didn't realize it would be such a challenge to be free! 

The working title for this piece is, "Lavender Farm". I had an image in my head and just went for it painting directly onto the fabric! I started to quilt the piece and will keep a circular theme going throughout the design. 

I'm happy to say the free style approach is keeping me calm and patient as I quilt. In the past I just wanted to get stuff done and hurried through the different phases for creating a piece of art. This time I take breaks, work on a section and then jump to another without feeling the need to be methodical... it's a new happy place for me! 

I'll post more progress photos and continue to explore the free style journey later! Right now there are Christmas cookies to bake!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 

The 'Ole Dawg Learned a New Trick!

Now that I have more time available to pursue my passions I took a Tiny Tapestry class at the Denver Student Arts League. It was a great experience and I was thrilled to work in a new medium. 

My ultimate goal is to create free form tapestries but FIRST I must learn weaving basics! What I quickly discovered is that it takes a really long time to weave - I had no idea! I tend to be an instant gratification gal but I'm finding great joy in methodically working the soft fibers. 

This was the cardboard loom and tool the instructor gave us during the class. They aren't much to look at but they were effective and a great starting point for learning. 

Try not to giggle at my first creation! It took HOURS to weave and was enough to get me hooked on the technique. I have to say I've shown unaccustomed strength in resisting the urge to buy every fiber that I fall in love with! I am taking it step by step and putting in my hours to get better and try to master a few techniques so I can spin off into a more freestyle design approach.

To get started I purchased a small 10" loom at Shuttle, Spindles & Skeins, a local shop in Boulder, CO. I also bought a book titled, On the Loom, A Modern Weaver's Guide. It shows the basics for getting started along with instructions for non-traditional projects. I borrowed, Tapestry Weaving by Kristin Glasbrook from the library. That was a great find - it clearly explains a variety of weaving stitches along with great photos. I'm thinking of buying a copy. After the experience of creating a few small pieces I purchased other tools for my new adventure; a wooden beater and a couple of 12" pick-up-sticks. 

I am off to complete two more little coaster rugs... it's the holidays and a great way to learn a new technique while checking off my Christmas gift giving list! HO, HO, HO!

Permission to Reinvent Myself!

It's been months 4 months since I resigned from my job! I spent 15 years working in a very stressful environment and over the past two years my relationship with upper management became more challenging. Despite retirement being a few years off the decision to resign now was the best one for me. 

The new me is all smiles! I approach each day with purposefulness in the choices and decisions I make about how to spend my time! With that being said, I've had an evolution of self since I resigned. 

I realize now that I compartmentalized my creative self with my outside work image. My boundaries were so firm and formal that my whole self was constantly split and at odds with each other. Moving forward I can embrace my soul and nurture my passions... it feels good just saying that out loud! 

I'm shedding what is no longer necessary whether figuratively or literally. The changes may never be noticed outside my family but each evolution brings me joy and freedom. I can fully explore my creative and artistic self. There is no longer a need to "hide" any parts of my personality for fear of not conforming to my former employer. 

I've given myself permission to explore other forms of art while enhancing the skills I've already acquired. To date I've dabbled in watercolor, sketching and weaving. I'm learning about what makes my heart sing and I feel "whole" for the first time in years! 

My wish is for all creative souls to have the ability to nurture what makes their hearts sing and to find joy in each day!  

PEACE