Moving Forward

Do you remember a blog I did quite awhile ago, where I proudly showed off my jars of floss and threads?  This, for a long time, was the way I stored these items.  Each time I started a new piece I would empty a jar, paw through it and dig out the colors/hues/tones that I wanted to use - then run off to the embroidery shop for more floss.

As I inch my way back into the play of punchneedle I decided that there was probably a better way, perhaps a more 'adult' 'organized' approach.  With this in mind I went shopping and found this inexpensive rolling set of drawers.  I liked it because the drawers were of a good size but flat rather than deep - much easier to see.

So the 'fun' began as I dumped, sorted, labeled baggies and put skein after skein into its carefully prepped new home.  Of course organization is always preceded by disorganization and I certainly accomplished that.

At this point I have bag after bag, drawer after drawer all ready for my perusal.  As a design is developed I can see at a glance what I have on hand and know what more I will need. 

Will it be as much fun as dumping the floss all over the table and going through it - probably not - but certainly I feel quite righteous in my organization! *smile*

"There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Do You Believe in Fairies?

I do!!  They must be there, although I’ve never actually seen one.  Sadly I am left to try to make some sightings of my own.

When I walk on the edge of the woods I see this.  Is this not the perfect place for a fairy or two to hide out when I approach?

 

Do they come to the pond to look at their reflections?  I know my husband says that it’s only the frogs that I hear jumping back into the water when I arrive, but I’m not quite so sure.  If only those frogs could talk (other than the non-stop croaking they seem to be so fond of).

Isn’t this leafy, fern grotto just perfect for an afternoon romp – is that why the ferns seem to move at my approach – because the fairies are running for better cover as I arrive?

 

As evening comes my husband says “look at the fireflies”.  I look at those blinking lights darting here and there.  I’ve never seen a firefly up close (I tried unsuccessfully as a child to catch them in bottles) so I can’t absolutely vouch for the fact that those aren’t fairy lights.  If they must be fireflies then perhaps they are the carriers of the lanterns for the fairies?

Have I convinced you?  I hope so, because I think everyone ought to believe in something magical, mystical and beautiful.

"The fairies break their dances
And leave the printed lawn."

- A. E. Houseman

Birds of a Feather

 

Three birds, transformed from paper to stitchery. 

Each one exhibits a slightly different body type while keeping the same 'sketchbook' color scheme.

The designs are simple, based upon designs created many, many years ago by people who lived surrounded by these birds, the open sky and hand hewn rock homes. 

Creating something, out of nothing, is a joy that never ends.

 "The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who...looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space...on the infinite highway of the air." - Wilbur Wright

Slow Going

I believe I'm stuck in slow motion.  Like this snail I creep along, each day passing faster than I am moving. 

I inch along somewhat like this inch worm, making my progress one hump at a time and pretty much at the same pace he is making his.

I have so many ideas, I have pieces in progress, I have inspiration -- what I don't seem to have is get-up-and-go.

Perhaps I'll go in search of faster creatures with which to compare myself -- making a goal of actually accomplishing something each day.

"Nothing is more revealing than movement." - Martha Graham

A bird in the hand...

 

Here is the design for bird number two.  Each of these designs have to be transferred to Weavers cloth and then the punching begins.

The designs are working quickly - a pace I hadn't anticipated.  Part of the ease is that there are only two colors being used - black and ecru.  No blending required - just straight forward punching one color or another.

And here is the fully punched design number two.  Its now on to bird number three...

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." - Lou Holtz

Summer Coming

 

The trumpet vine sings its own song against the fence as I walk around the yard.

The grasses are showing teeny, tiny blooms.

The Sweetspire bushes bow under the weight of their blooms.  Soon their fragrant aroma will fill the air.

 

The Dahlia's are beginning to reveal their opulence.  Their lushness is such a treat to see.

At this time its still quiet in the garden because the bees and hummingbirds haven't quite appeared.  But they will be here soon - to add their summer songs to the mix.

"I am going to try to pay attention to the spring.  I am going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees.  I am going to close my eyes and listen". - Anne Lamott

Treasures

 

These treasures sit on the corner of my work desk.  I continue to add to them - a bit of this and a bit of that.  They entrance me and engage me. 

Occasionally I pull out some of my favorites, put them in a small dish and contemplate them.  What can I do with this one?  What early civilization does that one remind me of? How would I attach them so that are 'one' with the background?  These questions continue to spin within my head.

Will I really and truly choose one, or two or three to put into an as yet designed stitchery or will my 'stash' continue to grow with abandon?  Hmmm... 

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." - Thornton Wilder

A bird in waiting

 

The first of my bird designs has been completed.

 

It was a joy to get back to the sound of the punchneedle moving in and out as the design became a reality.

He now waits for a friend to join him as I move onto the second design.

We'll see where this journey takes me.

"I can't count my day complete 'til needle, thread and fabric meet." - Anonymous