How Things Change or Evolve

Back in the Fall a new beginning was pinned to the wall

Lines of a container to be filled with stones

was drawn with paper.

Paper was changed to fabric

and I was thinking it might be called 'Stone Ground'.

I fell in love with this piece as I sat in the evening light 

couching stone upon stone within the shape of my container.

One evening I threw it on the floor beside my favourite stitching chair

just to check on how the stones were looking

And low and behold

I realized it was no container at all but an ancient cairn.

Blanket stitch was added to the base of the cairn

and then I took it to the design wall.

Loved it so much more as an ancient pile of stones

rather than a bowl full of them!

As I searched for the placement of the final rock shapes

I noticed a layer of smaller stones working it's way through the cairn.

Loved the thought that perhaps this layer represented

a different era or generation adding stones through the centuries.

So.... went back to the design wall

Added more to my imagined layer

Removed smaller stones inserted between the top layer of larger ones.

I love it even more!

Makes things more interesting.

Adds to the story.

And I am happy to allow the piece to create it's own story.

The conversation between our work and us is indeed a dance.

And So Begins Another Year Another Piece

"Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginning's End"

(Lucius Annaeus Seneca)

When my journey with 'Stone Pathways' came to an end

I was reluctant to let go

So the remnants of white backgrounds were stitched into strips

these were then filled with embroidered pebbles.

Remnants of the stones were sewn together in a rough fraying drunkard's path.

and pebbles embroidered immediately stitched all remnants together.

That was last year

But now a new year has begun

and so a home has been found for my remnants....

....more pathways!

There is so much white background surrounded by nothing but grey

So I have sprinkled bits of whiteness elsewhere.

Tiny dots are easier inserted with reverse appliqué

Larger ones with simple appliqué.

Perhaps tiptoes alongside heavy steps along life's pathway.

Frayed edges create a pathway of their own

Different paths, different lives.

Have no idea yet how I will stitch my new pathways

One step at a time

Next step will be to attach them to a background

and as I stitch them down by hand

ideas will come.

And here is a small beginning made many years ago

that hasn't found a home yet

but he will never be discarded

for

I love him!

Happy New Year

Happy Beginnings

Towering Baskets

I decided at the end of November to make

baskets for all the grownup women in the family.

I ended up with nine

Days and days of machine stitching

yards and yards of washing line and cloth strips.

And, oh, yes, spool after spool of thread too.

It seems that stones can be of assistance even in basketry!

I had to get used to using a sewing machine again!

It has been quite a while.

I have to say I really enjoyed making useful things.

As I stitched it came to me that the little munchkins

would also like a basket

just like their mom.

Then

One day I got a last minute request for oven mitts for Ashley.

Ended up making some for Stevie too.

At eighteen months old she wants everything her big sister gets.

I have found their baskets very useful

might make myself some in the new year

to hold threads and scraps.

 Hope everyone finds a use for their basket.

Loved making them.

Winter's Stitching

Thick, heavy snow fell all day

drooping branches

and even bending trees.

 Indoors I stitched lines

The wind howled outside

Inside I drew stones with strips of cloth.

Yes, more stones

I told you I was not finished with stones!

 Outside the already frozen pond

is now inches deep in snow.

Inside I am really enjoying the soft greys in linen and silk.

But....no more stitching for a little while.

It's family time!

Yay!

I wish you a Christmas filled with family and friends

and snow too

(but not too much of the latter!)

Nature Stitches on Trees

Some trees around the duckpond have very distinctive markings

They seem to be where branches used to be.

Like Kantha stitched triangles.

Meanwhile back in the studio
I have started stitching some beginnings on a new piece.

Paths that meet in places.

And some paths that meander more than others.

Hope your paths are clearly marked today!

Crazy Winter, Crazy Golfers

Last week for a brief moment winter took a few steps backwards

and so

Ted, Jean-Louis and Handy Hubby

took their golf clubs out of storage

and rushed to the golf course.

Someone else was at the golf course

and rushed (if porcupines rush! I reckon they don't have to!) to examine

Handy Hubby's golf ball. 

 Porcus Spina!

 Of course winter has come back with a vengeance.

Down at the beaver pond

I just about jumped out of my skin

at the sound of hundreds of birds lifting off from reedy perches.

Boy it was loud!

I hadn't even realized I wasn't alone.

Then I was treated to a lovely murmuring display.

Talking of golf balls....!

I have been turning messes like this....

....into much prettier balls!

Enjoyed the process so much

ended up with a whole basked full of them

all naturally dyed.

I try to remember to add a skein to every dye pot.

I hope you enjoy your threads today!

Frayed and Frazzled Edges

Thin ice was forming around the edges

to our surprise it was strong enough to hold this furry creature.

Handy Hubby and I thought this was a beaver....

....but on closer inspection we found it was a muskrat.

Had to include this one

love the two exclamation marks

made by....I dunno!

Must be a squirrel

frayed soft greys and browns

pinned to the design wall

waiting to be embellished with stitch.

Trouble is the design wall has layers and layers of beginnings

waiting for the next stage.

I suppose that is a good thing.

Lots of work ahead of me.

A here is some of my driftwood that I think
hanging around waiting to be used for the
daily stitching idea I have for next year.

Obviously I need more hours in the day
So many ideas
So many plans
Not enough hours in the day.

Hope your hands are busy too.