The Road to Should

The definition of the word should includes the words obligation and duty. It is an active form of self criticism, indicating dissatisfaction with who and where we are.   That alone should eliminate it from any of my tapestry thoughts.  But...

I should weave upstairs in my studio, surrounded by my yarns and tools.

I should listen to classical music while I weave.

I should drink green tea from a hand thrown pottery mug while weaving. 

I should maintain an open, generous, karmic mindset while I weave.
  
 Or perhaps I could set up my Mirrix Zeus into a corner of the bedroom, listen to old Law and Order episodes,  sip on a McDonald's  diet coke, swear like a sailor and weave some tapestry.  It ain't elegant but it is my life.

Beautiful hand dyed greens and some close to home inspiration. 

A little encouragement from a tapestry mentor and I am back at the loom.
I have a sign in my office that says "Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful."  These days our lives are all about embracing the unexpected and grabbing moments of joy whenever possible.  

Thank you for reminding me, you know who you are!

Purposeful Play

 Dyeing is such a serendipitous activity.  I do not approach it scientifically and precisely therefore the outcomes can be wildly variable.  Indigo is a favorite and I have always great results.  Until the last vat a few weeks ago.  Not sure why but I did not get the nice swampy green and purple flower.

In an effort to revive it, I heated it to 170 degrees for 30 minutes, stirred gently and added more reducing agent, thiox.

It worked!  I combined some rust dyed linen with this revived indigo and played all Saturday afternoon.   I continue to be inspired by https://spiritcloth.typepad.com/  I followed a link on her blog and made some moons.

Lots of choices for stitching projects.  I continue to think about the role of making in my life.  How to maintain a thoughtful slow approach and not think in terms of "making art."

These hand dyed fabrics and naturally dyed threads make me happy.  As does this finished small piece below.

And enjoyed a breakfast picnic and cookie baking with my favorite turtle wrangler.

Stitching On

Sunday night... not sure I am ready to head back to work tomorrow but duty calls.  The Lifesaver Quilt top is pieced and ready to quilt.  I used scraps and no pattern.  It is a wonky log cabin of sorts.  I love the scrap bin at the Cary Quilting Company.  I also love my forty year old Pfaff sewing machine.

Along with the scraps, I included some indigo dyed peices.  It was fun and you have to feel hopeful while sewing a baby blanket.  I decided to assemble this on the machine so it will stand up to some serious laundering.  I do plan to handquilt it though.

I also finished July's slow stitching.  Pretty happy with the end result and enjoyed the work.  I hope everyone has a good week .  Stitch on.