Saturday 3 March 2012

Looking Backwards and a New Beginning


The doormouse and I thought we would look back
over February's scratchings
before we got too entrenched in March.
Boy how time flies!


February started with that line of double blanket stitch.
Way back in January I remember saying I didn't want this to be a journal
but just scratchings for each day.
Things change
More recently the stitches have been attempting to record
the events of the day.
Things will change again
well certainly the fabric will change because I've filled this first strip.


Meanwhile on the design wall I'm playing with
rusted indigo
natural dyes
and the remains of my wedding dress.
The intent was for a blue watery piece
but not being a blue person
it wasn't long before the water turned into a trickle
surrounded by muddy banks.

32 comments:

  1. ...things have a habit of turning out the way THEY want to be don't they?! :-)

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    1. Oh, yes, we are just taking dictation aren't we!

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  2. i think your fingers do the work secretly while you're asleep! February looks very rich

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    1. I could go for that....stitching without knowing.

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  3. Holy moley, Penny! I think, having seen this post today that we have here a case of the Pot calling the Kettle black ! This is gorgeous and I cannot wait to see what you will do with it. Do you want to be the Pot or the Kettle?

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  4. I didn't see the doormouse at first, but did see its eye! That was interesting. The watery piece looks much like the tannin-rich waters of the pools in this forest, dyed by hemlock bark and decaying forest refuse. The scratching cloth is topographic map-like, I think.

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    1. Recording the ups and downs of life.
      We're tannin-rich here too!

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  5. It will be interesting for you to look back on the scratchings cloth at the end of the year and see how it has evolved. You might find it revealing of some development of ideas...

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  6. so beautiful to look at...as always.

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  7. all stitches are a record of a moment and your moments certainly are beautiful and rich...and what a lovely little friend to discuss these matters with. cheers.

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    1. She's a very special friend because she used to be my Mother's.

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  8. Hmmm....it's looking pretty much like a legacy to me!! If you keep up the scratchings, soon you'll be able to stretch it all the way to Toronto.

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  9. i think of this journal as a book (sorry to steal what you had it being). great blue has returned.

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    1. How lovely to see your Heron again! After today's snow I'm hoping my fellow keeps away a bit longer for his own sake! I've been reading about your upcoming workshop and wish I could be there.

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  10. What a great variety of stitches that have added up into a beautiful cloth. Sometimes trickles turn into a flood!

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    1. Thanks Yvonne...and yes, I think we in Canada are well aware of bursting streams and rivers!

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  11. Looking at your scratchings I can hear the breathings of your heart.

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  12. Penny, I don't know how to contact you via email. Would you kindly email me, please? I have a private question for you....

    sweetpeapath [at] gmail [dot] com

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  13. I love seeing row after row....

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  14. So many stitches! I don't know about time flying, but your needle looks as if it does... beautiful work, Penny.

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  15. Don't your stitches look gorgeous!
    This ribbon of time and touch is beautiful and meaningful.
    Lovely work, Penny.

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  16. Thanks Judy....I'm surprised at how much I enjoy the daily ritual.

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  17. ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!
    RUSTED INDIGO. yes!
    i have yet to begin the dye with Glennis...but i want to
    fool around with any results i get that are not dark, dark
    is what i'm hoping for
    and RUST, oh yes. soon as it warms up, those pots are
    waiting out there...THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Thank you for taking the time to comment, your thoughts are most welcome.