Shrooms

While camping last weekend at Parker's Creek we had a beautiful site right on the lake, a terrific climbing log and lots of cool mushrooms.  Riley and I tromped through the woods collecting all the different kinds of mushrooms we could find.  It was great fun, smelly slimy but fun.

I dutifully did research for the proper methods, there are many sites about dyeing wool with mushrooms.

• I placed my chopped up mushrooms into jars, filled the jars with water and let them "steep" in the sun for two days.
• Strained the extremely slimy and smelly mushrooms and placed them in cheesecloth. 
• Scoured and mordanted 40 grams of wool yarn.
• Brought mushroom/ yarn up to 170 degrees and held it for one hour.
• Soaked overnight and VOILA!

Five of the most uninspiring shades of beige yarn ever produced.

Bonus, it smelled so bad even after multiple washings... I threw it out!

Night Chant

It is a challenge to describe this tapestry's path from conception to fruition.  It started with the fabric scrap pictured below and dyeing yarns in a gradient to match.

The concept was holding space, also known as "suspended self importance" or it isn't all about me.  Being present without judgement or control and offering unconditional love and support. 

I sampled for this tapestry and lined up my yarns.  The original gradient plus black, some deep purple and purple and silver glitz.

I checked for value below using grayscale.  Thank you Tommye Scanlon

Finally began the weaving on July 8th at Arrowmont. 

Most of my family and friends know of my interest in all things Navajo, especially weaving related.  I was scheduled to attend a class at Arrowmont  this summer but unfortunately the Navajo weaving class had to be cancelled.  I'd read all of the Hillerman books over the last few months and enjoyed not only  the mysteries but also all the information related to life on and off the reservation.

Some of the most interesting information was about the religous ceremonies.  Especially the Night Chant.  This is a nine day ceremony, involving the whole family and community coming together to contribute to the healing and or restoration of balance to loved one.  The cermony is complex, involving multiple dances, sand painting, chants and more.  This is just a few verses of the poem.

Dark cloud is at the door.

The trail out of it is dark cloud.
The zigzag lightning stands high upon it.
An offering I make.
Restore my feet for me.
Restore my legs for me.
Restore my body for me.
Restore my mind for me.
Restore my voice for me.
This very day take out your spell for me.

As I read about the Night Chant I thought of dozens of people coming together, putting their lives on hold for nine days to dance, sing, chant and pray another into health and balance.  Holding Space Navajo style.

I finished this tapestry on August 3, 2018.  It was woven at 10 epi with hand dyed Frid on my C. Cactus Flower loom.