Monday, February 20, 2012

Deep Thoughts

In this political environment of greed,  I am increasingly sad and angry that we humans don't learn from our history, or to connect compassionately with our needy, our poor, our abused children, our ailing elderly.  And our leaders keep playing games to keep their power and positions by taking power from the people they are supposed to guide and protect.  We are not falling through cracks anymore...people are plummeting into the abyss.    We need leaders who are enlighted and believe in truth that we are ALL equal and have equal rights...and that to whom much is given, much is expected.  

Problems cannot be solved
by the level of awareness
that created them.

Einstein

Oh, What Lovely Yarn We Weave

I'm still trudging along with my crone piece...It's certainly been practice in patience.  I keep running into unexpected problems with my fabric, in my job, doing taxes, and working in shorter periods to try and prevent a carpal tunnel flare-up.  I'm therefore going to put up a couple of yarn pieces which I hand wove, then used embroidery thread and beads over and throughout them.
10"  x  32"




   

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Deep Thoughts



Can anyone imagine
Moses, Jesus, or Gandhi
armed with the moneybags
of Carnegie?

Einstein


Thursday, February 2, 2012

Blessings

This piece is called "Thangka: Family Blessing" and was a gift to my son and his family for Christmas.  The image of Buddha is a transfer, the piece is hand embroidered and beaded, and it is 10 1/4" wide and 30 1/4" long.





BLESSINGS AND PEACE TO ALL





    

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Extra! Read All About It!


Just released in paperback.
The female figure in lower left corner is the
project I contributed.  
Can be found at  www.larkcrafts.com or at Barnes&Noble.  

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Deep Thoughts

Lord,
let me grow old
like beautiful lace,
cherished and treasured
and cared for with grace. 

  Lacemaker's Prayer


"Baby" Dolls

These photos show some of my "Inner Child" dolls which are around three inches tall.  They are made the same way the totem dolls are...although the words I use are more about children, wounded and healing.





Sunday, January 8, 2012

Audacity + Fabric =

Life is faster...I'm slower...bad combination.  You know that old saying about "meeting yourself coming and going"?  I'm coming and I'm going, but I'm running into myself less and less... I just hope people will bring me home wherever I end up!

I'm posting some pictures of female totems I make.  They have changed and evolved over the years, beginning as "Audacious Women" with words of empowerment.  "Audacious" is what my mother used to call me whenever I wandered outside of appropiate female behavior or her own personal comfort zone.  This stage of change for them opened up to include all sorts of messages (love, hope,etc.) and/or made specifically for someone with her own personal message. 

They range in size from about six to nine inches tall and a number of different shapes and different types and colors (just like us).  Each doll is different...fabric, beads, yarns, threads, ribbons,etc.  I machine sew the fabric outline together, turn inside out, and stuff.  The hair is also added at this point.  I begin to hand embroider and bead, maybe a pattern or images I drew on, or I may follow designs on the fabric.  The word or words  are made of flat alphabet beads and are attached before any of the other outer work is begun.  I add a small loop on the back so it can be hung up if wanted.


              

Sunday, January 1, 2012

This Is NOT A Tease....New Art Work

While I haven't been able to work on more complicated pieces for many months, I did get to make some little things beginning a few months ago.  They range mostly in size from 3"x3" up through 5"x5"  with some larger and some a bit smaller.  I cut stiff pellon to the size I want and the cover fabric a little larger than the pellon.. Then I transfer pictures to fusible fabric, cut them out,  and then iron or sew them to my chosen fabric.  I proceed to hand embroider and bead them.







I glue ribbon or cord on the back at the top and then glue felt over the entire back. 
Ready to hang.

MORE TO COME !!





A New Year...2012

Forget about last night.  What happened on New Year's Eve, stays on New Year's Eve.
Today is a new day, a new year, a new start.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Xmas 2011!

I've been gone a long time, carpal tunnel, work/overwork,etc.  My hands/wrists are better and my life is slower.  I have made some new little pieces: some are fabric and some are on canvas or board.  I'll post some photos soon but for today:

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Deep Thoughts

Reality is the leading cause of stress among those in touch with it.
                                                                                                        Lily Tomlin

Saturday, September 24, 2011

First Day Of Fall.....Walking Home Again


"Walking Home Again"     (7  1/2" x 8  3/4")

 

       Iris Dement singing "Walking Home Again"  moves me back in time....walking over the fields or down the dirt roads....mild breeze blows....hint of cooler air....grasses dying down....sun glowing, paler and not so bright....hearing my mom's voice, kids shouting, screen door slamming....the excitement of my dad getting home from work....old furniture worn out by all the kids and pets and people....the fireflies will be out soon....I see it and hear it and smell it and feel it.  I am that girl again and these are the moments I love.                                                                          

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Hi Ho, Hi Ho

Sprinklings of rain, grey, cooler today.  My hands and wrists seem to be okay now.  (I overdid it before and had to stop again)....So back to the piece I was unable to finish when the carpal tunnel struck!  It's off to work I go....

Passing Moment

Today was just that kind of day...