i didn't realeyes

I saw a violet coming up yesterday?

2012-01-30T10:10:00.000-05:00

Spring Cleaning?

Goony Bird#3 - Patricia Makes Me Laugh

2012-01-27T14:01:00.000-05:00

A little Drama won't hurt, now and then, right?

I have been up to my eyeballs in drama!

My class is a wonder to see. The children make me smile.

They are so innocent and full of wonder. It reminds me to grab onto

this thought. Be full of wonder.

We are acting as if we are trees and bees and bears all wanting honey.

That says it all.

My life is crazier and crazier.

I know it takes 21 days to change a habit, right?

I am working on it. Getting used to having a new life is hard work.

In the meantime, I am enjoying my crazy baby kitty and

these goony birds.

It is a lot of work to make me laugh.

How about you?

But, it feels so good.

Have a wonderful weekend.

I am thinking of you all!

xoxoxo

Goony bird #3 2012

With Wings Clipped - Goony Bird #2

2012-01-24T16:30:00.001-05:00

A Snap of Her
She didn't know if she wanted
Bird on a Wire
or
Have her Wings Clipped

She has been, for sure, my constant companion in all spare time available. Sitting in a waiting room somewhere, I had a stack of yellow post-it notes in my bag calling to me to do something constructive. Naturally, I took the call literally and began to fold, as in origami. A perfect square, hmmm. now what can I do with that? Well, that was the beginning point of this piece. I wanted to fold a curved piece and so it went. The body of this bird is a square of fabric thread painting to dignify the folds. It is lined with hand died red silk. If you recall a while back I became re-interested in tassels from researching textiles from the silk road. I have been making these using contemporary fibers and beads, etc. It is interesting to try combinations of yarn and thread to see if I can come up with something I have not seen before. One thing is for sure, I set up nothing but difficult puzzles to solve. My dad was an engineer and he engineered EVERYTHING in our lives. I learned from him to solve problems this way.

I dye and make felted objects and fabric now and then and dye my own fabrics with indigo and other dyes. Shibori is my favorite technique to use in the dyeing. I also love to smash flowers onto silk.

Magnolia Yarn drapes over her.
See the tail shaped by folding?

So, I can say that I have many items in my stash to inspire an idea I may have.

These birds are a design nightmare, sometimes. I have to figure out how to put the pieces together and how to make legs, for instance. I spend time wandering the isles at the local hardware store and you would be surprised at the things I find useful.

Tassels for Headress
Silk adornments for the neckline

Fiber Paining printed on organdy
pleated for a comb

Knitted Habu leggings.

I hope this post finds all of you well, I am enjoying the NO SNOW days this year. I try to post now and then but lately, I am just working and care-taking wonder.

Meditation Mode Goony Bird #1

2012-01-13T10:37:00.000-05:00

Meditation Nest

Goony Bird #1
2012

Linen thread
Habu Textiles
Copper Beads
Mixed Media

Meditation Nest

Goony Bird #1
2012

Close-up

Bucket Lists- New Year-Christmas Eve Eve

2011-12-23T10:41:00.000-05:00

Black Pepper Creme Fraiche in the works for THE Dinner

Either Snow capped Himalaya Mountain or

Pistachio Lemon Cookies out of the oven

I am dreaming of both on my mental voyages

Another thing that got started late. . .

I am very patient, though.

Silk and Wool

It does not get any better then that!

Made a visit to LaDeDa in Roanoke a while back and saw a bag. . .

Inspiration.

I started reading this yesterday.
Making Tassels led me to this very informative book
which is high on my doing list.

This might be my last opportunity to wish all of my friends
Happy Holidays to you and yours

Dusty Trails To You
(Powdered Sugar)
Until We Meet Again

And So It Is Christmastime. . .and Happy Chanukah too

2011-12-21T10:57:00.001-05:00

We need a few Christmas Miracles

In This House!

It is pretty funny. . .

Sick Mom

Crazy Baby Kitty

And

being who i am. . .

I am thinking about. . .

GOONY BIRDS C2011

Remember the Ain't She Tweet Bird?

More to come on this subject, later. . .

But, for now

know

that I keep butterflies in the bird cage and

my Christmas Tree is of felt.

(Kitty Compromise)

Breakfast with Mom this morning. . .

Orange Marmalade in the center of avocado

on yummy rolls and

eggs with chives

I am trying to create

some moments to remember

While Mom still can. . .a bit.

A few words from that genius

came in a card yesterday.

Thank you Mrs. Carver.

And Mr. Einstein.

May you be blessed by the goodness of the universe!

Being Wrong Is On My Mind and so are butterflies and ribbon candy

2011-12-17T10:55:00.000-05:00

I discovered this Book and the Ted video on another fiber artist's page a few days ago. I am sorry I do not remember which one, but it impressed me enough to buy the book.

This topic is huge on my mind.

Crossroads come up in everyone's life, every now and then. Should I go right or should I go wrong? Should I take the high road or not?

The point I am seeing is that it is OK to have regrets.

To error is so human.

I give us permission to make mistakes.

I do make them all the time.

So, today, I photograph the ribbon candy my daughter left here to remind her of

Christmas Past.

I add the butterflies to remind me to be free of regret.

To Live This Day

I hope for you a very blessed weekend.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays to all!

I am thinking of my Linguist in Afghanistan!

Be Safe

Know you are loved.

Getting To The Essence - Eventually

2011-12-16T08:17:00.000-05:00

"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives."

Henry David Thoreau

An Answer

2011-12-13T07:09:00.000-05:00

My Shibori image copied onto paper, pleated, cut, glued, and transformed into an ornament with directions in a PDF file for my new Kindle Fire, in answer to my friend's question. I bought my first Kindle when they first became available a few years ago. It is my constant companion. My honey surprised me last week with an early Christmas present of the new Fire. It is amazing! It is like a mini-computer. I can even get my e-mail. But the best thing is that I can have knitting books and patterns with me whenever I might need them. I have cookbooks on it, too, not to mention all of the other books both audio and reading material. The images below are of the Christmas Ornament I designed.

Here is the PDF file I did to create the directions for this ornament:

This is a photo of my Kindle with the PDF file visible.

If you want the directions just ask and I will e-mail a copy to you. Felize Navidad!

A Glorious Monday on the Mountain

2011-12-12T09:20:00.001-05:00

Today is a day for Christmas Cookies,
knitted hats Ala Jared Flood,
a little decorating,
and looking at some blogs I love to read. . .

The finished vest using Noro Silk Garden just in time for the cold weather
to wear with T-shirts and blue jeans and my new Carhartt Red Ladies Jacket.
My boots are waterproof to walk in the snow.
A picture of a real country lady I am. Ha.
So, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Felt balls which I used to make tons of for ornaments
these from Anthropologie will be on a tiny tree.

Last year I would burn pinion incense to remind

me of Santa Fe.

This year it is the smell of Douglas Fir

in the form of scented ornaments

to remind me of Yosemite and the beauty of California.

Things in my life are different now.

The Kitty has his mind made up about what is or is not a toy. Smile!

2011-12-10T16:32:00.001-05:00

Once again, Here is the Kinder Advent Calendar
I painted this a few years ago for my class.
You may copy this if you wish.
Merry Christmas
So sorry it is late, this year.

Turn A Square

2011-12-10T15:32:00.000-05:00

Saturday afternoon at my house

is pretty funny.

Jared Flood is on my Kindle Fire with the Turn A Square

Striped Hat

I chose the yarn from my stash
and now I am ready to begin.

I think my honey will like it, too.

Mom is asleep now.

My new baby kitty makes me smile. We rescued him from
the shelter and I am in love.
His favorite toy is the little mouse stuffed with cat nip.

I named him EVER
because I am keeping him forever and ever!

Here is hoping you are having a very blessed holiday season
or
a groovy fun Saturday

xoxoxo

Where I Have Been For 2 Months

2011-12-08T12:25:00.000-05:00

Hello to everyone!

It would take a book to tell you all. Which is NOT what I am going to write, about this.

You know already that I care for my mom. Well, she has been incredibly ill. Two surgeries, one on her back, one an emergency Gall Bladder removal, the old fashioned way. To top it all off she truly was lost in a dreamworld. She thought she was in Wyoming. She had imaginary people, train rides, new scenery, a total alternate reality. Thank Goodness for that, for her sake. For me it has been a nightmare. My whole family came to stay before Thanksgiving and that visit although heart warming is just a blur. I barely remember cooking dinner.
We intended to put her into a very nice nursing facility, but, she continued to progress, thanks to some dedicated nurses and physical therapists. She is home with me, now and has been for about a week.
I am small and pretty unable to do a lot of lifting, etc. But, somehow, I have managed to take pretty good care of her. Please God hear my plea. Either lighten the load or give me more strength. I feel really good about what we are trying to do. It snowed like crazy here, last night. It is a matter of her safety whether or not I can continue to do this.
We shall see. . .but, in the meantime, I am going to try to make a pleasant Christmastime for our three little family. My honey helps with everything he can and he works more than full time at his store.
On one of my quick trips to Charlotte, NC, to the airport to pick-up the family, I visited Anthropologie which is my most favorite place!!!
I picked up a few props for my photography.
Today, was the first day I would be back to school and it was delayed for the icy roads. I devised a Christmas card for the kids to make but it will wait until the next class.
Here are a few snaps of what I have been working on the past few days, in my ha ha spare time.

I have missed my blogging buddies! I have missed looking at all of the wonderful posts you all make.

I think about this all the time.
I hope I have not lost everyone!

I consider every event a challenge to see what I am able to come up with to do in a positive way.
I wish you each and every one a blessed day.

Between I Do This. . .

2011-10-29T12:34:00.000-04:00

" Between Living and Dreaming

There Is A Third Thing.

Guess It. . ."

I do not know who said the above?

S watching on Saturday Morning

S watching

Things With Wings

George

Not A Pin

Not A Pin
In Process

For Sketchbook Project

Plowed Fields

2011-10-24T17:18:00.000-04:00

Plowing Contest 2011
Texas
Do Not Let It Blow Away
On The Way To Santa Fe

Nothing like perfectly plowed fields

Sunny Thoughts. . .

2011-10-23T12:03:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I Saw The House Again!
Look on Tri-Amid-Al (the other blog) to see more. . .

Do you know that stitch Loop? Can you see what I am thinking?
Magnolia Art Yarn in the loop for a collar?
Hmm. . .Noro Taiyo?
Bought this yesterday, the Noro.

Sunday Morning out my bedroom window!

I Mus ta Stepped On a Crack

2011-10-21T16:39:00.000-04:00

I am posting once again today to tell you a little funny story.You know how when you were a child walking along the sidewalk on the way to school and you would chant to remember to not step on a crack because you would break your mother's back? Well, this is what that is about. I must have stepped on a crack.

You know that first I got sick a while back and shortly thereafter my mother did as well? She had the cough for about a week and that was gone. I still have it. Day before yesterday I made yet another visit to the doctor for more antibiotics and a chest x-ray. Yesterday morning, I was sitting at the kitchen table with a piece of paper and a pencil making a rubbing of the texture of a saucer, the glass kind that is either pink, peach, or green, or even clear, so that I could take it to class to show the children what I mean when I say we are working on texture and they must do pencil rubbings for a page in their Sketchbook Project. I had intended for us to take a walk around to find things outside but it was very cold and windy and rainy, so plan B. OK, so I turned that piece of paper over and it was an 8.5 x 11" sheet, the insert that the pharmacy had put to warn of these terrible side affects to watch out for with this antibiotic. I was shocked while I read this. Every single thing that happened to my mother was listed on this warning. We had not even looked at this when she got hers. Let this be a lesson for all of us to not ever do that again. The Achilles tendon started it and then dizziness, then auditory hallucinations, then weakness, then peripheral nerve problems, and generally things which were to change our lives forever.
I took her to yet another doctor because an x-ray showed that she had a compression fracture in the mid part of her spine. She did this about a week ago because of the dizziness and weakness, she fell. He ordered an MRI which we had done right away, He made her day by telling her some very good news. They can do a procedure next week to fix this for her. She is very happy about this. I was joking with her yesterday that perhaps when I was walking I must have stepped on a crack.
It is very nice to be laughing about this, now. It is very nice that she has not lost her mind, it is back. Now, I am taking this same antibiotic and believe me if I start hearing a gospel choir singing I will stop the meds right away!
Once in a while there are moments of complete joy. That is what I am feeling this afternoon. I have been knitting Noro and not thinking about painting I am just enjoying looking at the Noro, soon the vest will be finished and I will show you.
I am making an amazing soup with lots of veggies and sweet potatoes and lime, my honey rented The Brides Maids for all three of us to see this evening. The sun is shining and for this moment all is very well.

Circles

2011-10-21T07:53:00.000-04:00

Do you ever feel that you are a rat in a wheel just running in circles? Do you ever embrace that part of you that wants to be seen and/or appreciated? Do you ever ask yourself what is it about blogging that keeps us coming back for more? Are you a lurker? Do you engage in real, simple, pure, conversation with real people?

Do you put your work out into the world and then worry what will happen to it? I do and I have.

Last night I lay awake thinking about this. I decided that share means share, for me, it does. So, I took the do not copy warning off of my other blog. I would not abuse any other person on the internet by stealing from them.

But, I either care about this topic or I do not. I feel better if I just let it all go.

I think about how many books I have read in my life. A lot of books HAVE been read by me and I enjoyed most of them. But, the folly of it all comes front and center when I think that I am just passing through and then I die. You spend your life learning and then you die. Just a thought!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo b.

Escape!

2011-10-19T08:36:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, we all want to escape to some place else. I feel that way, right now. I read a blog almost everyday that lifts my spirits and inspires me in many aspects of my life. I always look at life a little differently after my daily dose of Cannelle-vanille. I promise that if you read this today it will inspire you, as well. It is a visual delight in France, where she is teaching photography of food.

A Fence

2011-10-18T11:26:00.001-04:00

A tiny bit of the new fence in Periwinkle Blue. I think of Lapis Lazuli, the silk road, Afghanistan, and grinding my pigment for egg tempera. I really did do that when I painted in egg tempera. Now it comes in tubes for gouache and oil and acrylic. Big cans of blue paint for a fence might have been more than Vermeer might dream to use so lavishly. Lapis was more valuable than gold leaf at one point in the history of painting.
While I steal an hour here and there to paint my blue I listen to "Stealing The Mystic Lamb" from Audible.com.

Check out Jorie Johnson

2011-10-17T11:24:00.000-04:00

Jorie Johnson is on MAIWA blog. She is a mentor to me when it comes to the best in felting.

Hope everyone is enjoying a nice new Monday!

xoxo

Getting Serious

2011-10-17T11:09:00.000-04:00

I started a new blog just for paper sculpture and other original works. Click the link that says Triamidal on the side.

I Love A Surprise!

2011-10-15T08:58:00.000-04:00

You know, do you not, how wonderful it is to go to the post office and something unexpected pops-up? I expected a package from Magnolia Handspun. I ordered more yarn and waited a couple of days for the arrival. Yesterday, my honey stopped by twice and the second time was a charm. It was there!

Along with that, which I will tell you about in just a little minute, was another box with words all over it from my best friend Sara. Sara and I have done mail art in the past which was really fun, I am sure, for Postal Workers. But this was not that.

She was just recycling from a box. But, inside were these very cool eyes. I read her blog day before yesterday about these cool "things" she is making for a change. I thought to myself that those were pretty nifty. But not as marvy as these that she sent to me.

She makes me laugh all the time with how clever she is. I get eyeballs in the mail every now and then because of this blog. This makes me laugh, too.

The yarn from Magnolia Handspun is way too wonderful, I can hardly wait to get busy on the scribble or squiggle shawl I am ready to knit for someone special. There is enough in one of the balls for another Mag Bag. I love these bags because I can wear something that matches, color-wise, and people can not take their eyes off of them. I carry my toys in the bag to make waiting easier. Like sock knitting and my kindle. I think I have one of the very first Kindles by the way and I love it, especially now that I can carry knitting books on it, too. Anyways, Camilla, is so kind, she sent me a surprise, too. I skein of yarn with my favorite color, red. I keep trying to thank her and she keeps trying to thank me. How funny is that? The new shibori silk I just dyed will match that perfectly, now I need to do something to match the mag bag yarn. I love that! It is nice to have something to inspire the colors of dye I choose.

I am ready to join the shoulder seams on this vest, now. Then it is the picking up of stitches to do the borders. I am loving how the colors are working in this. I am ready to wear this, now. Patience Bobbie!

It is Saturday morning, now. I spent the dark hours just looking at the wonderful things that came yesterday and drinking my coffee. This past week was a tough one for me. So many people here trying to make arrangements for my mom's care. But, I think things will be better, soon. The sun is shining and it is a very beautiful day, today. I might be able to continue painting my periwinkle color on the new fence.

I hope each of you have a wonderful weekend!

I am so grateful for my friends!!!

Shibori in the Kitchen

2011-10-14T10:40:00.000-04:00

Silk Hand Dyed Shibori

Small Linen Basket in the works with new Silk Shibori

Silk Hand Dyed Shibori

"If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in your field of bliss, and they open doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be."

Joseph Campbell

Bird check Reality check

2011-10-14T07:05:00.000-04:00

“As you proceed through life, following your own path, birds will shit on you. Don't bother to brush it off.
Getting a comedic view of your situation gives you spiritual distance.
Having a sense of humor saves you.”
― Joseph Campbell

I told you that last weekend the new fence is high on my list of to-do's and that the color I chose is periwinkle blue. You ask why? Well, for one thing, it is only paint. I have had this color for years on my old fence. Years ago I saw a garden in a magazine that had different colors for different gardens. It was gorgeous. I thought and thought about what color would make me smile. The other day as I sat on the ground, paintbrush in hand, to see through the slats of blue a perfectly yellow tree against a blue blue sky and just a wisp of an occasional cloud. I stopped painting and just stared at the beauty. The stray cat that has chosen us was rubbing it's head against my leg and I said, "Look at that." The cat just looked into my eyes and said, "Yes."
The post in the corner I painted first. It is a tall post for a bird house. Well, yesterday while waiting for something, I took a tiny walk around the property. The foliage of fall can just take my breath away and it does. The color here is the best ever. Scarlet red, golden chartreuse, perfectly pumpkin orange, and all the shades between just dazzle my mind into oblivion. This gift is free and most treasured.

I snatched some beauty and some time, again. This is the reward I get. This is all I need.

I planned to take a photo of the spot on the tall post where a bird deposited a gift (yuk) onto the freshly painted fence but, it rained so hard I couldn't get outside, so you will have to just picture this in your mind.

Between Two Worlds

2011-10-11T08:10:00.000-04:00

.
A pointed topic, the circus, brings wonder to mind. What is it about that? Why? Nostalgia for a bygone era it could be. I bring this up because as I knit I am listening to "Night Circus." It is still dark as night out right now. My life is a three ring circus, right now. Being a caretaker of my mom and trying to work in my studio conflict a lot, lately. I snatch time. Time Snatcher now that could be a name for a novel. When I can not do serious art work, by circumstance, I am knitting. I have written before how when I knit I think of painting and when I paint I think of knitting. Thank goodness for that. I am having home health care workers to come in to help with Mom. At least this way I can continue working with the children at school. Maybe it will free up more time for the studio work, as well. In the meantime, I snapped a few photo's this morning of my kitchen area, just for fun.

I am now on the last front piece of the folk vest using Noro Silk Garden.

I keep stashes of art supplies in these boxes in my kitchen to use when I can.

Yarn for projects I am working on surrounding a photograph for a page in the sketchbook which I am still working on at this time but have no time to post them, yet.

While I am Painting Periwinkle Blue

2011-10-09T08:42:00.000-04:00

Saturday Morning at My House

2011-10-08T10:33:00.000-04:00

I have been thinking about photography

It is a lifetime activity

just to learn some.

I think of simplicity

and everything gets complicated.

How do you capture a lovely smell? Go to di Santa Maria Novella

in Firenze?

How do you capture time? Look at something old thinking of what it

might have been to wear these hats and clothing while sitting still for so long?

Darn an old hole in an old old sock with old old darning thread?

How do you capture joy? Look at what surrounds you?

Go outside and paint your new fence periwinkle blue?

Look at the color of fall leaves falling in front of your eyes?

Oh Happy Day!

2011-10-07T15:05:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I had an amazing day with the kids at school. We are starting on the Sketchbook Project. Pretty Cool!
Afterward, I made a trip to Blacksburg. Fall is in the air and the leaves are turning like crazy! It was a great pleasure to drive along and think about what I am doing.
Another vest is being worked on fast and furiously. Noro, again. I used the Folk Vest Book for the pattern, but, of course, I changed a lot of it to work with Noro. Silk Garden is always my favorite. I used a bit of the stripe effect I learned from Brooklyn Tweed when I first met him. This effect always gets rave reviews when I wear anything done in this manner.
I bought another Noro mini-book to try a few things in there for holiday gifts.
Another ball of Magnolia Art Yarn is in the works for the scribble shawl for a gift.
Now to my serious art work. I have been doing more 3-D sculptural works with the thread painting. One day I will show you how it all works out. I gave a preview the other day. No matter what I do it always eventually turns into something that pays homage to space. I think I like space.
I love what the City Of Blacksburg has done. The revamping of the main streets are amazing. I wish the rest of America was busy working on their infra-structure like Blacksburg is doing. When the economy picks-up
they will already be ready to go full blast.
I got a kick out of the bus sign where it tells where it is heading. PHD is what it said. No street or area.
Mish Mish is the serious art supply store I head for when I go to Blacksburg. They have tons of material for architectural models.
Anyway, I hope you all have a blessed weekend!
b xoxoxo

Dance With Me

2011-10-05T16:51:00.004-04:00

To Be

Knot

To Be

A Geisha's Belt

Dancing Dahlia

Off and Running Wet Hair and All

2011-10-04T10:08:00.000-04:00

I am off to the Doctors office, again.

Mom, again.

But I quickly took a snap of this

pinky peachy squiggle shawl.

This one has kid Silk Haze

and

Magnolia Handspun art yarn

On this rainy day this shawl cheers me.

Smile though your heart is. . . . Charlie Chaplin?

What Is One To Do?

2011-10-03T15:40:00.000-04:00

Hitting The Wall 2011

Lining Up 2011

From Whence I Came? 2011

Marching Threads In A Row Walking On The Road To Nowhere 2011

HE Is Always There 2011

The Story This Will Tell

2011-10-02T10:45:00.000-04:00

Tiny thread paintings square dancing 2011

Tiny thread paintings lining up 2011

Tiny thread paintings rest upon Magnolia Striped Pillow 2011

Tiny thread paintings deciding what they will be. . .2011

Leaning around tiny thread paintings on the journey 2011

Tiny thread paintings on Magnolia Yarn Pillow 2011

Bundle and Beads

2011-10-01T09:16:00.000-04:00

Peter Beard/Isak Dinesen/Ernest Hemingway/What do they have in common?

2011-09-30T14:20:00.003-04:00

I have the book that Peter Beard did of his daily art journal. It is amazing.

If you have the chance take a look at it. I have had this for years and years

I am sure it is no longer in print.

This link will show some of his graphic work journals and photography

He was a friend to Isak Dinesen. That in itself is interesting.

Hemingway wrote about Mt. Kilimanjaro. of course.

His widow was with Peter Beard at the opening of a photography show.

I love Isak Dinesen. She was a true heroin living her life in Kenya.

I am such a romantic. Of course I am, it is my Danish blood.

Below you will see another volcano that is iconic for me.

Mt. Kilimanjaro and Peter Beard being interviewed.

Mt Kilimanjaro

wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Kilimanjaro_3D.gif

Video of a conversation with Robert Vavra and his book Inside Africa.

In this gorgeous book are stories and photographs

of these artists and many more.

On The Table

2011-09-30T08:09:00.000-04:00

Hand embroidery is on the table for the weekend.

I hope you have a blessed day!

It is rainy here. But so so fall and beautiful.

It Is All About Light

2011-09-28T14:29:00.000-04:00

Really and truly, this is a true story. . .

And a very short story. . .

I saw this.

I did.

The End

Rough Draft

2011-09-27T22:14:00.000-04:00

You know, I have been thinking about how to tell a story about an event with just the available knowledge at hand. Let us suppose that when you tell a story you conceive it with no knowledge at all. Then, you proceed as you please. What if you wrote it on, let's say a clay tablet? You can only tell what you have seen or heard with your own eyes or ears. Unless, of course, you might be like me, you just make it all up from your imagination.
So then, like me, you just forget about it and go on to something else. In the meantime, someone finds your story on a clay tablet and just tosses it in the trash bin, that gets dumped into the garbage truck (that is if you have garbage service, which we do not have living on top of a mountain in the wilderness)
OK, so at the dump it gets dumped.
Some sort of natural disaster happens and everyone moves to another place like the Anasazi did, perhaps?
So left in this dump is the clay tablet.
Many many years go by maybe hundreds of years go by and everything except Twinkies, Plastic Coke bottles, and Ceramic vessels disintegrate back into the land, and not your clay tablet.
You said that a terrible thing happened.
The scientists in the future go to the ice caps of the polar regions and take ice cores back to the laboratories and discover that what you said was not true.
So then, a writer writes a story about whether or not your story actually happened.
The End

Maps and Weathervanes

2011-09-27T11:05:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I know not from where the wind blows?

Stories torn/cut to pieces

follow wherever I lead.

These were really stupid stories.

They are still stupid stories.

I am thinking about scratching my photographs with an exacto knife

Playing on the pages.

Wow Talk about trouble

2011-09-26T15:06:00.000-04:00

Finally, I got it to work, the new SketchBook Page.

Starting today I will post the pages not on this home page but on the SKETCHBOOK PAGE at the top of this page. Just click on it.

Also, if you click on the pictures you can see a larger view.

There are thousands of people involved in the project. It might even be coming to your city. I have the link to it on the Sketchbook Page just in case you are interested in joining in. This is through The Art House Coop in Brooklyn, NY

Sketchbook project

2011-09-25T10:43:00.000-04:00

This morning I am working on the sketchbook.

I will start posting on the new page tomorrow.

Magnolia Triangular Over the Shoulder Cowl

2011-09-24T11:04:00.001-04:00

Remember a few months ago I did the Magnolia Squiggle Shawl?
Well, that time I used Kid Silk Haze and Magnolia Art Yarn.
I have done a new design using the simple form of the triangle, again.
This time I used the new Merino/Silk fine yarn dyed to the same colorway
as this art yarn instead of kid silk haze and I love it.
This is a very simple thing to do.
I used size 13 circular needles and the Debby New squiggle technique, again.
It is a denser triangle, this time.
I started out with casting on three stitches
and added a stitch right after the first and another
just before the last stitch on each purl row going back with the silk/merino yarn.
Then I pick up the art yarn and knit a row then purl a row then drop this yarn
to pick up the merino and silk, and so on.
Do this until the ball of art yarn is almost gone.
Bind off using the thinner yarn.
(see Debby New's Book for her technique)

This shows it finished with the closure.

Here you see it is just a triangle.

Another view of the triangle.

Fold it in half long wise, the long side goes over one of your shoulders.

The short side is the neck. You can use a stick or a chop stick or pin to close this, as you see

above.

It fits perfectly and is a wonderful way to wear the art yarn! I can hardly wait for cold weather.

This particular ball was 55 yards long.

I am knitting another article with the thinner merino/tussah silk yarn that was

left (approx. 1100 yards - 55 yards) which

I will share in a couple of weeks.

When I Can't Sleep I think of this

2011-09-23T01:47:00.000-04:00

Dreamer
gouache on paper
digitally manipulated

I should be sleeping but. . .

Forever young, inside my heart is what I be.

My grandmother was in the hospital having cancer treatment,

before she did that,

she had a tiny house built for us to stay,

this is where I discovered my love of nature.

Chico was the birds name which she loved dearly

My aunty brought the cage outside so Chico might enjoy

the soft breeze and beauty of that day,

I opened the cage and he flew away.

I may have told you this story before?

I fell on my knees to pray

that God would send him back to his home

sitting just outside our little vacation cottage.

HE did and he did come back.

That was the summer I found out about pure faith.

Did I tell you that I found her diamond, just the stone,

at my house, in the bathtub, not a ring, just the stone?

I remind me of my mother, she tells the same stories over and over.

I listen, over and over.

I read an article in a magazine at the doctor's office the other day about Angie Harmon sp? Anyway, I love what she said about falling on her knees to pray for the safety of her children or whatever is important to her. Now, I do not think of myself as a particularly religious person but this struck a cord inside my heart.

I think of her as in Law and Order. She has a spirit that matters to me.

I Simply MUST Tell You

2011-09-22T15:10:00.000-04:00

I lay awake at night, thinking about life, thinking about art, thinking about my friends, thinking about my family.

I have been setting goals, lately.

I ask myself, what IS IT? What do I yearn to do, the most?

I bury sadness and disappointment.

But, you know what happens. . .

That is what pops out, in truly strange ways!

I ask myself, what will motivate me?

The funny thing is. . .

it is the sharing and appreciation of what I see in the world.

It is all of that wonderful energy I see on the blogs I read every chance I get.

You are what motivates me to keep trying to be the best I can be.

YOU ALL lift me up in the darkest hours of the night.

And these children I teach. . .they lift me up,

when I try to lift them up

out of a world that could be better.

I see so much to do. . .

with love in my heart.

Thank You!

Hanging By A Thread

2011-09-21T08:52:00.000-04:00

Spider hanging by a thread has a bee captured.

She found me/my new friend/Never is her name

2011-09-20T14:31:00.000-04:00

A Game of Go?

No thanks, said she.

I left my prints

for you to see.

There is a rhythm

do you agree?

I found you today, said She

Never is my name.

The path was winding

but I am here now.

To remind: To thine own self be true.

She is mine, now. She will Never leave.

Connection/Touchtone

2011-09-18T09:05:00.000-04:00

Thinking about something that resonates as sublime

like the first time you ever heard "Bridge Over Troubled Waters"

a starry night on top of the mountain in Sequoia National Park

the most perfect slice of lemon meringue pie

when the experience is so perfect

that you pause

to wonder

this is what I am talking about. . .

This is how I felt when I did this first piece of thread painting.

I realized that this is what I want to do. This is my personal touchstone.

It speaks only to me, though.

It is the hovering of color in a space created

with thread. For me it vibrates.

A touchstone is used to verify whether or not a stone is gold.

This is my touchstone. I compare everything I do to this.

This does not happen, very often.

The video of Episode 2 1978 Connections is interesting to me in that

I come back to this over and over in my thinking but each time

I see it with new eyes and compare it to what is happening in our world

today with all of our technology.

What is your touchstone?

All About Hands?

2011-09-16T11:57:00.000-04:00

I am supposed to be showing hands this week?

I have been focused (ha) on heels, actually. A couple of days ago,

Mom was sitting in her room at 6:00 a.m. with the lights on

completely dressed? What is up with that?

She was waiting for us to wake and take her to the emergency room.

She couldn't walk.

This could be a long story. But, not today.

She has Achilles Heel.

Just a while ago she asked me if I could hear a gospel choir singing?

It is a good thing that I can set some of what I do to be done automatically if I am not around.

Like do a post?

I am wondering about us, these days.

Yesterday I did make it to the school and we had a wonderful class.

But, to tell you the truth, I do no know what will be happening in a minute or two.

Oh well, I guess that in reality that is all we ever know, this minute, right?

So, I am knitting a squiggle shawl with the yarn I bought last week.

I thought that would be something I could do for the hands photo assignment.

Gosh, my hands are really aging. I did the wrinkle remover filter thingy. I need to get real here.

I was in a few calendars a long time ago and one of the shots was of my hands while working.

It was in black and white and it was a lovely photograph. The photographer had his own take on what he wanted to do. I love what he did.

Ok, You all know how much I love Georgia O'Keeffe. I have a wonderful book around here someplace with black and white photographs of her. I just do not remember where I put it and so, trust me on this,

the memory of them inspires me to do one of my own hand. It shows all of the wrinkles. But, hey, you know what? I have lived a long life and my hands have had a lot of fun.

So, see what I am doing between running through hoops this week.

Are you getting used to my silly sense of humor?

Oh yes, I am baking bread in five minutes a day, again. It is really chilly outside.

There are no gospel choirs in this house, either.

Hope you all have a nice weekend!

THE BEAR

2011-09-14T10:37:00.000-04:00

The Bear

The first bear I saw was in Mesa Verde National Park. A magical experience, almost, when I happened to glance in my rear view mirror, there it was running toward the car, faster than I was driving at the time.

Stunned, I was absolutely speechless, dumfounded, all of these words work very well. I wanted my mom and my cousin to see this bear. What did I do? I stopped the car and put it into reverse and was on a collision course with this bear. I was unable to say, “Turn around and look.” But, the stopping and reversing of course brought this to their attention! Just then the bear changed course and bounded off the edge of this mountain back to the natural territory it was used to being alive.

Later in the day, I sat and waited for my mom to catch-up to where I have hiked looking at the cliff dwelling. Sitting next to me was a character of sorts. He wore a cowboy hat and around his neck was a strand of silver, turquoise, and bear claws. I noticed this and ask him to tell me about his neck piece. This is when I discovered the bear claws. I related my earlier experience of the day to him. He insisted that I take one of the claws, which I did not do. He said this encounter was a message for me. It was up to me to figure out what it all means. I am still thinking about this so many years later.

A couple of weeks ago I saw another baby bear on my gravel road near my house. I know that where there is a babe that mom is not far away. I have not seen the bears, again, yet. Others that live on this mountain have. They saw the baby under an apple tree laying on its back eating apples.

A couple of years ago a bear came here and marked a tree and then walked along the back side of my house across the land to the chicken house where it stood on it’s hind legs and put his paw on the corner of the house. It was empty at the time this chicken house. So the bear kept going. I was speechless that day, too.

I think I am beginning to understand the meaning of the bear, now. It is like the feather is to some, it has meaning to me. I think I will continue to see what comes of this. See, the only time I am speechless these days is when I am in the presence of a bear.

Afternoon Delight Laughy Taffy?

2011-09-13T12:30:00.000-04:00

Once I sit down at the desk and try to plan the day things

get a little more into focus. I sit and look at the wall above,

try to center, try to be a better person. I think of my mom

sitting across the other room eating her breakfast and drinking

coffee. We listen to the news. I daydream a little, then it is time.

I write a little and then maybe blog or answer my mail. It is off to

the studio which is in the bottom floor of the house. I have lots of

room in which to work and every possible thing I could want to use.

Way too much, actually, and that is why I like to bring students here.

I give them the materials they might like to use and any help they ask me

to give.

This is totally separate from my classes at school. It is the most rewarding

thing to see teenagers who have that creative spirit work, it helps me.

I usually am working on twenty two things at once. It is crazy to see.

But, it makes perfect sense to my art spirit.

What is happening today, is that two projects have collided, They are both

bouncing off of each other and the process is amazing. It happens serendipitously,

Is that a word? Anyways, I am in the process of it all and I thought you might like

to see a bit. I am in the midst of couching some cord onto the silk indigo dyed shibori

that I pleated last year and dyed this year. There are hand stitches going onto the

cloth, as well. I have recycled some old silk which I am adding as layers.

This is enjoyable to work on as I am giving my body a chance to regenerate.

I have a tendency to go non-stop and the last time I did that I ended up with

Pneumonia. Which I am close to right now. It is a glorious day outside. I will pop out

to enjoy the warmth of this September day.

I have been looking through the LACIS site this morning trying to find a certain type of thread.

I used to hang out there a lot when I lived near there. It is hard not to be able to hop into the car

and be there in person. If you ever are in Berkeley, California, you simply must drop in to see all

of the fiber wonder.

Jude Hill talks about a certain kind of thread that she likes to use and I thought maybe

they might have it there. Do you know about the magic feather project? Google it.

Stuck at home Memories of Asheville +

2011-09-12T16:31:00.000-04:00

Revisited Doctor today

Yuk

More Antibiotics and Steroids

Rest

Yuk

La De Da in Roanoke Downtown Historical District

My favorite place to shop for clothing and shoes

Shopping and gallery hopping in Asheville, NC

There were six babies in that stroller.

Mom in front heading for

Ad Lib a cute shop for clothing

bought a super cute dress

and a sweater.

Favorite Bead Store in Asheville window

Earth Guild Window

So many wonderful

Fiber related supplies

dye

yarn

basket supplies

spinning wheels

looms. . .

Needless to say, we came home with a car full of wonderful things to use this winter and fall.

Still no cochineal, though.

Huge mountain passes between here and there.

Glorious views of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

On The Table

2011-09-12T09:33:00.000-04:00

In the works on the kitchen table

Wool and silk ready to be wound into a ball

Still in the works stuck in indecision

My Dad and Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, and 9/11

2011-09-11T13:49:00.000-04:00

Before my father passed away, I spent the last few weeks of his life with him at first in the hospital and then in a care center. He knew he was dying, he wanted to talk.
When I was a child, he had the habit of crossing his arms in a gesture of slicing the air and would say, "Alright, enough." He did not want to hear what I or others might want to say.
So that is what I did, almost my whole life. I kept whatever I wanted to say, to myself. Sometime after that, his passing, I mean, the dam broke and out comes all of this stuff.
First of all, I need to tell you that my dad was an amazing man. He ended being an engineer and designed things like the tiles on the Space Shuttle. This in itself is amazing, especially when you consider what happened as a result of the tiles. Especially when you consider the background that he had. Which is a very long story.
My dad was just outside the harbor at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed and his ship did survive, but, he spent five years on board ships fighting the Japanese in the Pacific Front. He was a captain of a large large gun group. He never thought he would make it out of the war. In a way he left a lot of himself there.
He was ordered into Hiroshima after we dropped the bomb to help clean-up. He spent a lot of time telling me all about that when he was dying. No one should have to see what he saw. Not ever again.
9/ll is today's 10th anniversary and of course that is on my mind. This is one thing that has changed the life we all live in the entire globe. This is what no one should have to see, not ever again.
This morning I moved furniture and cleaned and then worked on the thread painting. I guess this feeling of sadness is not going to go anywhere. I can not escape.
I am reading Isabel Allende, again. That works, a bit.
My mom is very sick with a chest infection and I am worried about her. I have it as well, but I am not as old as she.
Today the sun is out shining it's big bald head, the sky is that perfect blue, white white clouds are floating by every now and then. Much like that same September day ten years ago.
I say a prayer into the universe that all creatures great and small will feel blessed on this day for many good reasons.
I will spend the afternoon cutting up a story into strips to photograph for my sketchbook project.
I hope you have a blessed day.

xoxoxo

Reflections, Is Every Little Thing Going To Be Alright

2011-09-09T08:39:00.000-04:00

Like the little girl who sings about the three little birds, then she wags her finger, to say, "Don't Worry

Every Little Thing Is Going To Be Alright," to her little friends, I take a subject that I find interesting to

give me a start for a story. Usually there is a little girl in there somewhere. What goes through the mind

of a child can amaze us. I hear things all the time. I think about this, too.

I wish I would have had proper training to be a parent. What about you?

This is what I think about when I am busy doing other things.

I think about how we treat our elderly, too.

I have many friends and acquaintances who are doing this, too.

We are caring for our mothers or our fathers.

None of this is easy.

What do we do?

We just do whatever it takes, the very best that we can.

Scrumptious Stuff

2011-09-07T11:16:00.000-04:00

One of my wishes came true!

You know how much I love Magnolia Handspun Yarn, well I secretly wished that Camilla

would include a thinner yarn in the color genius of her line. Over the summer that is exactly what she did.

It has been listed just a couple of weeks and I decided what I wanted to do, so I ordered some.

This is the kind of yarn that you just want to leave in a basket to look at everyday for a cheer-me-up. It is so soft and delicate.

However, I have plans for this yarn which I will share later on down the line.

Meanwhile, I just knew you would like to see.

I am very busy, right now, with getting my classes going at the school. I have a new crop of children to inspire.

I am working on some thread paintings when I find the time.

Please bear with me here if I am not able to answer properly to the comments I receive.

I am running between situations as I speak.

Hope you have a good day!

Story

2011-09-05T08:51:00.001-04:00

bYE bYE

This Bear, She Wants Her Woods, Now.

2011-08-31T15:50:00.000-04:00

This Bear, She Wants Her Woods, Now.
2011
Thread painting
hand dyed silk
hand dyed felt, manipulated
wrapped with shibori indigo
pearls
silk thread

School and work

2011-08-31T07:20:00.000-04:00

Next week, my classes with the children, begin again. I am looking forward to this school year, after all.
We are going to do the sketchbook project, too. The first part of the year we will be doing things like looking for something to do rubbings on, how to make a booklet to work with, folding paper with paint on it and try to get a butterfly, you know, things like this. Then later on, we will do shadow puppets. I have many many things planned.
The best part of the year is coming, the crispy golden days of September, taking long walks in the woods, and I usually have so much creative energy to use.

I am working on the Bear series, these days:

Out On A Limb

This is next, the last one is almost finished.

Let It Be

The Journey of the Bear - Another Stop Along Her Way

2011-08-29T08:40:00.000-04:00

A stop in time

To Take A Breath

Thinking Little

My Cat is named Haiku

This is a tiny piece I am working on

It is just the start.

Have a merry Monday!

Copper - matter - THE END

2011-08-27T06:54:00.002-04:00

Ok, I am tired of this story. I want to get to my thread paintings. I have one week left before school starts.
This copper story is turning into a book form rather than a short story. See, that is what happens when you
do not edit and share the process.
Copper is on my mind because homes around here are being broken into and the thieves are ripping the copper wiring right out of the houses. I am very worried about some of the historical buildings around here that have copper roofs.
I see trucks, even pick-up trucks, filled to the brim with rubbish that is made of metal.
It is a good thing to have anyone gather up disposed of or dumped metal. But, what motivates this?
Drugs.
I feel fearful like I did when I was a child with childlike thoughts. I feel vulnerable, too.
I have no answers, only questions about our society.
If anyone brings copper to these new places that buy metal I wish the Police or the DEA were standing behind the counter. Any person who sells copper should be on a watch list as a suspect for the crimes that are related.

Chat Lunatic is like a beware of dog sign only it warns of a crazy cat.

The End

Oh You Are Going To Know About Why Copper Matters

2011-08-26T20:56:00.001-04:00

I am here in my bed thinking about this day, feeling badly that I disobeyed my parents. Sometimes, I struggle to do the right things. Sometimes, I am afraid that if I just think about something it will then happen. My sis is in her bed in our room fast asleep. I know that she would not do this if it were not for me. Being an older sister is hard sometimes. We are as different as night and day, except that we both love an adventure. My dad always says that we should create our own excitement. Boy what would he think if he really knew what we are up to these days.
My favorite place in the whole world is on Tom Sawyers Island at Disneyland. Mom and Dad could just leave me there, forever. Well, not forever I guess. I am always afraid of Indian Joe. He is not real, that I know, sort of.
If we had our bikes with us when we were on the island maybe we could be safe because they are boy bikes.~~He might not be very interested in girls~~. I think reverie is the same thing as daydreaming which is what I am always getting in trouble for at my school. When I can't sleep I just lay here and think.
I am thinking about disappearing ink. Maybe if that person had written those letters with that then I wouldn't be ready to step inside that gate. I found one today, it blew over the fence. Now I want to go into there so much it almost hurts. You know how curiosity killed the cat? You know what happened to Pandora's box? My teacher said that we should think about this story. So, here I am talking to you. The problem is is that you can not reciprocate.(That is a new word my mom taught me) What am I going to do? I still think that is such a pretty color of green on the roof of that old house. I wonder if you do, too? What is the big deal with copper? I know my dad always stoops over in the middle of anyplace to pick up a penny. He says all the time the same old thing: A penny saved. . .
That reminds me. . .I say all the time that somebody runs around like a chicken with it's head cut off. When I stop to think about it, what does that mean? I never saw a chicken with it's head cut off except when Mom is fixing that for dinner. It is deader than a door nail, see here I go again, now what does that mean?
On the playground the other day I took all the marbles which I won playing, "Hit It You Get It", the boys will not let me play, anymore. Besides that, they have the games they play on the i-phone. It is hard to be a real person playing real games, these days. It is a very good thing that I have my little sister to talk to and to listen.
When I get home from school the last thing I want to do is homework on my laptop, Saturdays we always go to the movies and I spend most of my time worrying about my homework. Do you hear me?
Now I am thinking about Lucille and her ancient mother. She has cracks all over her legs and that just creeps me out. She is a very nice old lady, though. She is teaching my sis and I how to embroider. If we make a mistake she makes us rip it out. I did one stitch about one hundred times before she says it is OK.
Once, my grandmother came to visit from across the country, we took her to Tijuana. She bought a leather purse. It was hand tooled, she told me so. I saw copper there, too. Lots of copper stuff all smeared with a thick car lubricant. That stuff got on my hands. I did not like the smell. It was like riding a bus and breathing diesel fuel. Anyway, I feel nauseated thinking of the man with the banjo and the smell of monkey grease. Tomorrow is another day, they say. So good night for now.

For Moi? A surprise came in the mail

2011-08-26T14:51:00.000-04:00

Sara and I have been friends for more years than I can remember.

A package came in the mail from her for no reason, at all.

You can imagine the delight I found in unwrapping each and every little thing.

Just when I needed some cheer-up this pops up.

She is the one who needs a package. Her summer has been beyond belief.

Thank you Sara for being so kind. I love love love each and every thing!

Recycled Material
Painted earrings

Handspun Yarn Saraz
Cute Bunny knitted

Saraz Quilted and embellished wall piece
A Handwoven piece

Paper Handspun Yarn
Saraz from used tissue birthday paper

I just had to share with all of you.

I hope you have a super duper not stormy weekend.

xoxoxo hugs!

Seriously, It Is A Matter

2011-08-26T09:58:00.002-04:00

The gate, it was rigged to always close with a mechanism attached ~~which was;~~ a heavy round rusty gear. Iron, I thought, it did not work. An enamel sign nailed to the wooden garden bench, read, "Chat Lunatic." I thought it was a place for crazy people to sit and chat. This bench, was barely visible; it gave me a case of shudders. That little voice that my Father likes to call my conscience screamed a warning, just leave! My sis wanted to know if I could hear a banjo nearby?

"Don' t alter my altar,
Don't desecrate my shrine,
My church is the water,
My home is underneath a shady pine,
Don't underestimate the spine of a poor mans back,
when its against a wall and his future is black,
one mans story, oh is another mans shame,
I ain't bound for glory, no, no, I'm bound for flames,
so take to the woods boy, and cover up your tracks,
go away child,
go away,
and don't look back."*

Is what we heard! The voice sounded like it meant what it said.

The roof of the house was really a pretty green. I thought it must be of copper. I thought about that while I looked up at the point that met the sky. The sign, down here in front of me still said, "Keep Out."

The pine needles were piled up all around the bench, I wondered how long it had been? Just how long had this place been abandoned?

We still have not crossed that line.

*Song of the Blackbird, One Man's Shame
William Elliot Whitmore

(At this point, you need to know that this is off the top of my head, I am not editing. If I did that, this little story would never be told, so, you can edit it in your head for me, but I am intending to just keep on writing this down as fast as I can, so have at it) I am just trying to tell you a story.

The Digs

2011-08-24T09:11:00.000-04:00

Image 1.
ancient textile found in a linen talisman bag

Image 2. ?
ancient textile Xing Dynasty

Image 3. V T Y
ancient textile found under a rock

I am off riding my bike today, we found a little cave with artifacts must return as quickly as possible.

xoxo

Finding Beauty In Everything

2011-08-23T08:59:00.000-04:00

You know the bear, already, right? That she wants to see the other side of the mountain, while trying to find something to relish, is her reason for living, to see what she can see. She does stick her nose in the air to get a whiff of honey, what a sweet feast. Even in broken down, worn out, or abandoned places, she can find the beauty in it all.
To embrace the things that can be troublesome is a way to change outcomes. I often wonder what is the tipping point for someone to lose their spirit. I see people all the time who have given up their zest for life and this makes me sad.
I am thinking that a canvas bag to fill with collections of found beauty would be nice, sort of a trick or treat bag, the treat is a feast for the eyes.
I am off to find some beauty!

I hope you have a beauty filled day.

Copper Is A Serious Matter

2011-08-22T16:20:00.000-04:00

My Aunty says that an empty home always dies. There in the section of town, where I was forbidden to enter, sat the most amazing place. My sis and I would get on our bicycles and head off to unexplored places swearing to complete secrecy and to watch the other's back. We knew what we were doing was against the wishes of those who cared deeply for us both, but we did it anyway, fully aware that if caught we would pay the price. Anyway, a black enamel ornate metal fence surrounded the place and through some very large untrimmed shrubbery we could see a small algae tinted body of water and the glint of a peachy iridescent shimmer of Koi. The house was obviously very empty. There were domestic items thrown round about the yards. There on the half opened gate was posted a sign that said, "Beware of Dogs" and " Keep Out!"

Her bike

My bike

OK, (I left my camera underneath the passenger seat so that means that for right now I can not show you anything more) You know how many photo's you can store on one card. . .

A Serious Matter

2011-08-22T08:41:00.000-04:00

Carry safe inside your heart where it lives in peace, being safe is quite another matter.

There are many things I know for sure,

that everything begins with a word/thought,

that deep inside the little girl that lives inside me is the fear,

that around campfires with the family my uncle always begins his stories

the same way and always ends with, "Now, this is a true story."

I know not to take anything, at all, very seriously

until it becomes

a serious matter. . .

Bear Went Over The Mountain Series #1 fini

2011-08-21T10:30:00.000-04:00

To See What She Can See 2011
Mixed Media Thread Painting

Detail of felted be-ribbon-ed beaded section left side

right corner

To See What She Can See

2011-08-20T07:43:00.000-04:00

Bear Went Over the Mountain Series #1

Thread Painting

2011

From the previous posts on technique

this piece is almost finished.

I dyed silk a red color and

am in the process of sewing this around edges,

as the back. There is some ribbon wrapped felt

as part of the piece, also.

I will show this when I am finished

Have a wonderful Weekend!

A Bit Unclear

2011-08-18T09:05:00.000-04:00

Last year I was told that they could not correct my vision anymore than it is.

Because I have a cataract on one eye.

You can imagine that I wanted it removed right away.

But no. . .

I must wait until it ripens?

What a funny word to use.

I bought a new camera and a macro lens.

When I want to know what something looks like

up close with all of the magnificent detail

I hold my breath and shoot.. .

download photo's onto my computer screen. . .

then I can see it...

every detail.

I spend much time being thankful for my eyesight.

The camera catches a moment in time

like when butterfly's flutter their wings

I see that with my eyes

my eyes do not capture that stop

in time.

How very strange the world can appear,

blending and breaking, far and near:

friendly, a little bit unclear.

How good.

Rilke

Creative Whack Pack?

2011-08-17T09:08:00.000-04:00

snaps of some things I have done in the process

Do you know about the Creative Whack Pack? One day a long time ago, on the streets of Palo Alto, California, about a mile or two from Stanford University, I entered one of my favorite bookstores to find this funny little tool. God knows, one thing I do not need is something to help my creativity, however, it sparked my curiosity.
As you already know, I am always one to want to see what is over the next hill, or now, exactly how does that work, or why would anyone want such a thing as this, what does this have to do with that? So, naturally I bought this deck and brought it to my studio to investigate.What has this got to do with anything? Yesterday, I described how I come up with some images for the thread paintings.. What I did not say is that along with the images I shared are the wonderful things that come as I go through what seems like a lot to do to get to where I am, such as, paper sculptures, my unique origami paper, handmade books, an idea for a pattern for a shrug to knit, the construction of a jacket, the colors for a silk shibori scarf all pleated with amazing design. etc.
My life is a creative whack pack.
Why do I write about this? I guess I just want to share the process. I know how much I enjoy reading and seeing what other artists do in their creative processes. Sometimes I find a new card to add to the deck of my creative whack pack. Oh yes, back to the creative whack pack, it is a deck of cards; you deal them out and or pick out one that tells you what to do, as in: turn something upside down, consider something from a different point of view, etc. Each card has something else to try. We do not need a creative whack pack, now do we?
But, it is interesting to me that some people do.

To BE

2011-08-16T13:02:00.000-04:00

It begins with a traditional painting which I scan into the computer.

Then Origami or folded pieces of paper are first

printed with the painting which is manipulated on the computer.

Cardboard is cut then covered after deciding the shape of the box and fabricating it.

Colored sticks hand made are placed inside the handcrafted boxes.

Then this is photographed and again manipulated,

printed on transfer paper,

then heat set onto fabric,

then backed with layers of materials

until it feels right.

Then I choose the thread colors according to original painting

to proceed to the thread painting which is done with a sewing machine.

Each piece has a time of it's own. Some take days,

some take weeks. It depends on how large the piece is and

how intricate is the painting.

This is how I work.

There is never-ending possibilities,

this is what keeps me interested,

to see what it will be.

Below is a mid point in the process

But I like these

as they are, too.

Sometimes, I add elements such as hand embroidery to my pieces

or objects.

They speak to me

to inform my intuition

of what

they

be.

She Had A Sugar Coated Dream Sandwich

2011-08-14T08:15:00.000-04:00

Remember yesterday I took off of my mountain for adventure?
I found it everywhere. . .
life.
The best sandwich I have ever tasted!
Fried Green Tomato with brown sugar coated bacon
lettuce and other wonderful things.
Really, I am serious. The chef at "The" Corner Drug Store told me
this came from a dream she had.. The Millionaires who at the turn of the
century sat in this very place could never have with all of their money tasted
anything better.

The drugstore is a meeting place, now, for young and old.

The funny thing about this life I live now is it is a huge SURPRISE to me.
I notice every little teeny tiny thing.
As a contemporary American artist living in this trendy time
who is everyone's computer helper
who has taken more computers apart than I care to think
who uses it as a tool for the artwork I do now
who can live in isolation because of this technology
in this life I find LOVE
I find TIME
and I look at every teeny tiny thing!

Live Well Love Well

2011-08-13T09:50:00.000-04:00

"Hey, Giraffe. . .THAT is not my rose." said The Little Prince, his hand placed firmly on his hip.

No, No, No, I am not off to find camels today.
I am searching for that one perfect rose at Farmers Market and then to the County Fair.
Then to our newly restored Drug Store with Fountain for a Lime Rickey.

You know, I am living fully each day. I hope you are doing this, too!
Hugs to all of you

My very first love died this morning.
He lived well.

I am loving loving loving my last love!

See The Bear

2011-08-12T08:30:00.002-04:00

Drawing for Thread Painting

When I post one of these

it means I am committed.

It means I am ready to begin.

(Kim Klaussen Texture over my original photo)

Have a wonderful Friday!

Will I see the baby bear and the mom?

A new fence is going up but do I really think it will keep a bear away?

The hills in Tazewell, Virginia are hiding pyramids. . .
(at least that is what I think) : )
XO

Well, You Do Know How I Get SO-O-OH Wrapped Up In . . .

2011-08-11T15:31:00.000-04:00

I just can not help myself

I always jump in

To See If things really do just go round and round

Trust me on this

they do

I do

Some pretty grass grows but not under my feet

I hear a turkey and her babies right this minute

I hear wind chimes

I hear a morning dove cooing like the one at Tail of the Yak

I am back from Asheville, obviously!

Today I painted my porch. I tried a Tom Sawer thing

Now, that just did not get me anywhere.

All Pretty and pristine white.

The whole time I am thinking about the Debbie Bliss short

little garter lt tank

I bought the yarn at paradise

along with new sock yarn, YUM

I can not wait!

You know I can not help myself. . .

got it started

YES

I did.

I need to water my flower boxes, next.

My friend Sara sent me a link

for the camel question. . .Camp Verde, Texas

At least I was able to sleep last night.

I want a camel coat?

I want fleece of alpaca?

Felting. . .

Oh yes ......one more thing

I was driving down my road the other day and a baby black bear decided

It really likes the new road all nice and neat and ready for WINTER

The sumac is red already. . .hmmm

I am thinking about you and wondering why you will not help me paint??

That is O K I love you all anyway!

In Search of Camels

2011-08-10T10:42:00.000-04:00

All from a few potato peelings dropped inside God's Thumbprint, now known as Burke's Garden, was it formed. This sounds a lot like a creation myth, to me.
If you can imagine a ring of mountains, verdant valley enclosed and isolated, like a crater of a volcano only very large, then you can believe this is this.
Now, consider that this fertile land in the mountains of Virginia, USA, is the home to camels and Llamas. Of course, for cattle and horses and many other type of domestic and wild animals, it is home. as well.

Why?

This marks THE spot.

Town Hall?

Many gorgeous farms live in this valley. Once, it was the home of Amish Farms.

There are many historical and original homes to see in this valley, but. . .look what I found!
So perfectly simple and elegant. This is my favorite home. It is tiny and you can see right
through it. The conscious choice of form and function in the front flower garden makes a lot of
sense to me. Check out the contemporary take on the porch chairs.

Of course, Corn for as far as you can see.

Pristine water wanders throughout the valley. Fields of wildflowers are everywhere.

I found the Lost World! This is the home of Camels and Llamas.
If you click the photographs you can see a larger image.
I did not turn down this road. Should I have?
Over this hill is where the camels are hiding?

They are teasing me from over the hill.

I will return on a fair day very soon.

I hope this sparks curiosity for you, too?

To see what I could see. . .

Hugs

2011-08-09T10:06:00.000-04:00

Photo Collage

Caterpillar 2011

Rilke always lives inside my heart
I think I learned from him
he taught me
to be carried forward
on the wings of delight. . .

This caterpillar is eating the fennel and the dill
in my organic garden
I have not the heart to deny this beautiful creature
eyes have it
every time!

If the rain stops I am off to Burke' s Garden, Virginia,
to photograph some camels.
Really,
I am not kidding!

My ancestors lived in Burke's Garden
now, camels do!

I am thinking of you, and you, and you!

Hugs!

T Art

2011-08-07T13:03:00.000-04:00

Who would have thought it?
Commerce in our own back yard?
To circumnavigate the governmental confabulation
We turn to the internet?
We can do it ourselves?
I know, I know,
no religion
no politics. . .
right?
For those of us who live in the United States of America. . .
what a shame it has become. . .
When in doubt
go home for a month long vacation
hide from those they represent?

I do not care what side you think you are on. . .
Let us do it all ourselves
it IS what everyone is already doing. . .
anyway, right?

We are in the midst something NEW!

We are just to close to see.

In the meantime I will walk the trails then
come home to make something.

Print this in reverse onto iron on transfer.
Then iron that onto a t-shirt or something.

This flower is from some grass,
it is very very tiny in real life.

The Appalachian Trail
Is more than 2000 miles long.
It is gorgeous
It is free.
It is in the USA

Wildflower I am

2011-08-06T08:26:00.000-04:00

In The Woods
I find
many
Wildflowers

Life is but a dream.

Hello!

I am dreaming that I am here.

I am dreaming that you are here, too.

Gone Hiking

2011-07-18T09:42:00.000-04:00

Then off to Asheville for a few days. Wish you were here!

See you soon, so have a great week.

Hugs

Speaking to the Moon

2011-07-15T12:24:00.000-04:00

Solitary Sun Speaking to The Full Moon 7 2011

On such an eve as this.
finding my way
home
while the moonlight shines
on
me and my sis
today we see
Blackberry rains
plump up
thirsty things
I see
the trees
they flip their leaves
upside down
to be
my weather man

This will be a berry picking day
So cool
between the drops of rain
You all have a blessed weekend!

Speaking of Burying Burdens. . .

2011-07-13T14:12:00.000-04:00

If you noticed the side bar with the link for Field Songs, well, this is what I think about that. . .

You know, I grew up in SO. Calli and was a surfer girl type and pretty much a city girl.

My dad had a sister, I loved her a lot. One day she was visiting our family and I showed her

this wart I had on my knee. I told her how the children at my school were teasing me about this wart.

She told me not to worry. . .

Just get my mom's dishrag, (yuk) take it out into the back yard.

Dig a hole. Turn around three times?

Bury it along with any other burdens I might have and it would (they would)

disappear or fall off.

You know what?

That is exactly what happened

Bury Your Burdens Down is the song which I like the most on this album.
Let the sun come up
feeling good wasn't good enough
Some can't let go no matter how it hurts. . .
How long can the night time last
how long can it be. . .
Let the sun come up~
Some of the words. . .
So, I drove over to the New River Valley
to see this!

Now how can you not feel good?
I am hiking to the Cascades to see the waterfall.

What do you think? Is it child-like belief?
Or coincidence?

Don't know Don't care.

Manna From Heaven

2011-07-13T09:14:00.000-04:00

This morning, while the dew was still teasing everything, I picked Blackberries
in the garden. I have many many vines just loaded this year. My sis is coming
from Calli tomorrow and I saved some for her.

And So. . . Here I Am

2011-07-11T07:08:00.000-04:00

Self Portrait 2011

This is my travel machine.
I move back and forth in time and space
to use a switch enables
size manipulation
of items I might find to bring along
one way or the other.

One Way Road Two Way Traffic

Mother Goose Tales

2011-07-09T08:42:00.000-04:00

When I lived in China in about 1900 I picked up this wonderful edition of Chinese Mother Goose. I still consider this one of my greatest finds. You should see the inside of this intriguing bedtime story. I visited the museum shop and purchased this replica of a clay soldier. You see?

Like A Fairy Tale

2011-07-08T17:14:00.000-04:00

Pleated angels on Organdy are on the menu today.

A little embroidery and some lemonade

sound pretty good to me.

Life is but a dream.

Have a nice and safe and loving weekend!

Hugs to all of you!

Still Foggy-A Matter of Perspective

2011-07-06T10:40:00.001-04:00

You know, how you see the world and life IS a matter of perspective.

I joke to say that I feel like an aboriginal/indigenous person in the Amazon Rain Forest because

I am surrounded by trees. I like green. I love the sky. Good thing I do. . .

I stand on my back deck and this is what I see. What you do not know is that I am

aiming the lens straight down a very steep mountain. The River is straight down there.

We can not see it from here during green months unless we hike down.

I finished reading a couple of adventure biographies recently that are set in the Amazon and

the story of Stanley and Livingston in Africa. I love Isak Dineson because she lived and tried to

make a life in Kenya.

I guess I am truly a romantic at heart.

I love to read about a past time for the same reasons, I guess.

I am allergic to grass and trees. Pretty funny.

But all in all I love this life. I miss my walking buddy.

I guess this can be a very dangerous place. I am going to try very hard

to not be afraid and continue on as before.

I am having trouble finding my art spirit, right now.

Below is a photo I took this morning of things I have been doing recently, but I can not

work on this right now.

Georgia O'Keeffe is in the upper left corner. I love her too. She had an art
spirit like mine. The portrait is from a photo I found somewhere and I did the
thread painting of that. Kings X pieces are here, too;
This place is my King's X.

Thank you to those who have written to me about Jilly. I appreciate it very much that you care.

Hugs to everyone!

Letting Go

2011-07-05T08:17:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, it is very hard to let go of what is near and dear to your heart. This holiday weekend was a very sad time for us. Our sweet faithful little pal Jilly died. We think she might have been bitten by a poisonous snake on her nose. We buried her under a tree and placed a giant heart rock we found a while back.
It seems there are so many memories we create in our minds of specific dates that make them easier or harder to recall. I have many memories associated with the fourth of July, some good and some sad.
I wish I could have turned the hands back on the clock to a little while before we discovered her. She was sitting next to me barking at a fake turtle that I was photographing while laying on my stomach. I showed her that it was not real. I wish I would have just held her for the following hour and then maybe she would still be here. She follows me into the woods where we walk. I will miss her dearly.

Every Little Thing. . .

2011-06-30T13:52:00.000-04:00

Patches of color

No Worries

2011-06-29T08:07:00.000-04:00

What I Used To Do With Stories?

2011-06-26T08:47:00.000-04:00

Computer Paper Bird's Nest

2011-06-25T10:32:00.000-04:00

When I lived in the SF Bay area, which was quite a few years ago, I found in a bush in my back yard a birds nest. This nest, I wish I still had, was full of the usual sort of nesting material with one addition. . .computer paper. You know the kind. . .we bought these in rolls to fit in the printer which had those little pins that pulled the paper along, before the now known form of printer we all use. Remember? The kind which you had to tear off the outer strips to find a piece of paper that resembles what we use now? These little torn strips were put to good use by the birds.
I think of this nest often, believe it or not, when I consider how much and how fast our lives have changed.
Do you think about these things too?

I wonder if this would make that Chinese delicacy, Birds Nest Soup, taste any better?

Have a great weekend!

To Tell The Truth

2011-06-24T09:16:00.000-04:00

I have just a few minutes before I must leave to take my mom to the Doc's. This has been a couple of crazy weeks for me. I have been really sick with ?? Tests and such. Anyway, I have a hard time blogging right now.
I just wanted to mention something that is near and dear to my heart. The PROCESS of working.
If you notice there is a badge for The Process Pledge. I love the ideas behind this. I like free sharing, I like just doing whatever just because, I like to share how I do things, I hate being obligated to too many things.
With that having been said. . .hey, we all do the best we can. Sometimes something might be great and sometimes not even. It really doesn't matter. I learn more from mistakes, ALWAYS. That is why I think it is ok to show things that I might not really like but what I did was more important. Or THAT I did it.
I know some pretty great people in blogland. It takes a lot of time for anyone to share anything, I just wanted to say Thank YOU to all that do.

Beauty

2011-06-23T08:54:00.000-04:00

Sleeping Beauty Part 2

2011-06-22T10:50:00.000-04:00

Translating what you find to be beautiful into an expression of your mind means using precise choices of material, tried and true techniques, and with use, a notion of perseverance to the finish.

This translation or image is the reward.

Being a little open-ended, and by that I mean, leaving yourself open to surprises or discovery, as you work, this is where tiny moments of joy add to the creative sparkle.The translation is what you have, after all.

We all have reasons why we choose what we choose.

I am fortunate, in that I work with children. I watch them in their creative and beginners mind solve the problems they set for themselves with a little nudge in the beginning from their teacher. You must be interested in creative endeavors if you are reading this blog.

In the past few postings, I have been leading you along by sharing how my own mind works, a bit. I had a theme in mind, but no idea of where to go with Sleeping Beauty. Throughout the years of working and learning I have tried many things. If I saw something interesting I would either take a class or read a book to learn a technique which might work. Some of what I did stuck and some things did not. It was the process of learning new things that became joy, for me. So, I have many tricks up my sleeves. It is a good thing to be curious. It is a good thing to find a way to learn what you want to know.

Sleeping beauty is a product of that exploration.

Noro Yarn is a work of art in itself. I love working with it because it is like working with a paintbrush that someone already loaded with paint. You decide where to put what. So I knitted some fabric which I added another strand of other types of thread or yarn in a few places, just to see what would happen. I felled this in the washing machine. Out comes a fabric which can be cut or sewed or whatever. So I chose this for the cloak.

Soft white wool already carded into bats I buy and then alter by mixing fibers and/or dyeing and then felting.

I made these balls quite a few years ago and then I dye them to use in many ways. This is what I used for the head, which is a very obvious choice to make. I make cords adding in other fibers to be dyed at a later time.

I chose some of these and chose the dye color. I cut them into the shapes and sizes I thought would work

In Making the headdress, I used some pieces of dye felted wool and a different kind of fiber to wrap them. Then I had to figure out how to combine these elements in an interesting and efficient way, so with that in mind I used some Sculpey clay and fashioned a piece with some colored wire to hold it all together. For the element of hair?? I dyed silk in many colors and tore that into strips and added that to the headdress, as well. I knitted a small triangular shawl of kid silk haze for her. I added jewelry by beading pieces for the neck piece. I had to think of arms. I found plastic tubing at the hardware store and thought, wow, that could work. I stuffed the tubes with silk fiber then attached them to the body which is a rectangle of Michael James fabric which I use in a lot of work. For the feet I covered some cording with silk fabric and formed it into two puffy feet.

I know that this is not in minute detail. I leave some things to your imagination. I am doing this to inspire you to do your own work and to give you some ideas for thinking about what is available in the world to use in a new and interesting way. I find wonderful things when I take a look at blog land. It adds something sometimes that may not have occurred to me. This is my way of thanking all of you.

Oh yes, one more thing. . .Now that I have ?? finished this piece. . .
I am considering doing another one but I already learned
what I will do the next time to make one better.
It is the process!

Sleeping Beauty Part 1

2011-06-21T10:00:00.000-04:00

Translate visual images into what you do?

Remember colors?

Remember repetition?

Remember texture?

Remember little details that caught your attention?

What about form?

Segments of color

2011-06-20T17:00:00.000-04:00

This is for real. I feel like I am looking at a beaded piece which it is not. I see fabric folds with multi-dipping into lovely shades of blue and a bit of purple. Some black would be nice if I were to clamp segments of the fabric. When I am looking for inspiration in nature. . .now THAT is for real. I see a pretty stitch around the edge of a leaf shape.

A bug?
I do not know what kind. I am interested in the texture and the stripe I see. The color is magnificent.
On silk?

The organization of this texture/form/color takes my breath away.
This flower is real or more than just a photograph because it is blooming
right this moment in my flower garden. Look at the center of the flower. Look at
the structure of the form. It is a purple. Of course I am not interested in making a flower.
What I am interested in is seeing what made this appear so full of beauty.

Romancing

2011-06-20T09:41:00.000-04:00

Is this real? Or Not?

Red so indelible?

Not really? Well, for 24 hours.

Is this my dressing table?

Is this my powder puff?

Is this very old?

The silver is tarnished to the point of being black.

The silver handle is broken off of the puff.

The crystal is chipped.

This photo has been treated with Kim Klasen's Granny's Cupboard

So even the photo is a question?

All of this belongs to me. Or does it?

Do I own the photo?

Do you?

Do I really care?

What If You Had The Opportunity?

2011-06-16T16:03:00.000-04:00

I try to forget what I am doing. . .

I try to get out of my own way. . .

Something new to try. . .

is always. . .

here.

The mirror of a soul

it is there for all to see. . . Where is it?

Will you see it?

Will you even look?

If given the opportunity

will I take it?

Will my battery be

charged?

Are we ready, yet?

Will I skim the surface or

will I go to the depths?

Will I be willing to forget the name of What I see?*

* inspired from reading this: