i didn't realeyes: January 2012

Friday, January 27, 2012

Goony Bird#3 - Patricia Makes Me Laugh

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

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

With Wings Clipped - Goony Bird #2

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.