a stone's throw

"love does not just sit there,

like a stone;

it had to be made,

like bread,

remade all the time,

made new."

- ursula k. le guin

i spent a part of tonight stitching together five stones for jude hill's magic feather project where she is now gathering stones "to balance the lightness of sky and feather." since montana is an agricultural state, some of my stones are sharp and what some might label "unnaturally shaped." i chose to add this aspect to a couple of my stones since the plow often breaks stones, giving them less smooth shapes. they are stitched from natural fibers (cottons, linens and rayon). the second stone from the left is made from a scrap of my rusted fabric. the others are comprised of hand dyed scraps or bits salvaged from old clothing.

it was a pleasant break to create these little stones for jude's project... it is always a pleasant diversion to work on something different. but, now i think i shall go back to working on my human furoshiki while i await the morning's return of the sun.

namaste'

the magic feather project and personal symbols

jude hill is hosting a wonderful charity event call the magic feather project. in her words, "the magic feather project is a collective stitching project focused on creative sharing and giving." it is an exciting adventure and has really rekindled a lot of sentiments in my own work as well as in others'! 

these two feathers pictured above are my first two for the project. the feather on the left is stitched on a 5" square of vintage silk slub changeable moire drapery from my childhood home (mom gifted me with the drapes for my first apartment...i've used them in various homes and finally retired them to my fabric stash). some feathers have journeyed farther...flown harder...soared higher...than others. though worn and tattered, their beauty still graces those who gaze upon them.  this feather is amongst others in this trait. no stripes for this one...though the line is a bit worn and tattered... it rests in the center where two circles come together (a personal symbol for home and hearth).  the feather on the right is a variation of jude's striped feather...but with polka dots...and rests on a 5" square of silk slub drapery retired from my first art studio.  it is flanked by polka dots and tiny "x's". i know there is personal meaning in them, but their whispers are too soft for me to hear right now...

throughout jude's workshops, she talks about personal symbols...and shows us their magic in her work.  i have always been aware of this concept in jude's work. but, for some reason, through this project, the idea and presence of personal symbols have taken on a new importance for me.  i find myself pondering late into the night on my own personal symbols...like the double circle in the first feather block above...and asian bats...coins...skulls...ganesh...leaves...twigs...holey stones...and a host of others.  already, ideas are germinating and new direction in my work is forming.  it will be interesting to begin to pay attention to that which was already there...and to watch those newly forming...as i move forward and release them in my artwork....

for this, and so much more, i am eternally grateful to jude...

namaste'