Monday, September 23, 2013

Home

It was a good trip (understatement). The drive to Lopez Island was long and HOT but what a fine destination!  There are wonderful photos on India's blog,  Susan's blog here, and Christi's blog here.  I have only a few to add.  This is one of my wool bundles...I was so surprised at how the wool responded to the color...I think this might have been madrone.  (note taking is something I hope to get better at)

Here are some of the nine-patch cloths hanging in the barn (we had some rain!)

Below is my nine-patch.  Christi brought purple carrots which donated such superb color...there was a copper pipe down the middle of the two in the middle and a tea bag contributed the orange in those.  The wool pieces are top left and the three on the bottom.

After we managed to sew them all together and admired our handiwork,  India suggested we chop them up.  AACK!! (one vertical cut down the middle, and one horizontal across the middle), then rearrange the pieces to make a "disappearing nine-patch". Here's how mine turned out:
I love it that in three short days we made such a wonderful big piece (I've been making tiny things for awhile). And I loved sitting in Patsy's garden cottage stitching all together. This silky wooly cloth blows beautifully in the breeze...perhaps eventually it will turn into a lap robe.

We also learned to make string and a really nifty folded paper bag to put flat treasures in!!

Alas, we three off-islanders, who had all stayed together at Raiti's, had to wait for and board the ferry then wave goodbye to this lovely place:


We had dinner together in Anacortes, then went our separate ways.  The drive home was quite beautiful except for one monster rainstorm in which the trucks didn't slow down one bit.  So rude. But then the sun came out and Mt. Shasta was more beautiful than ever, hovering hovering, blessing the wayfarers.

And then sooner and later, I slipped into my home driveway!  The next morning I went out and bought a hot plate for cooking bundles made from very local vegetation.  So far I've made a few, and realize there is lots to learn. Today,  I carried home some eucalyptus branches that had been pruned along the path Gilly and I followed for our afternoon ramble.

Equinox, full moon and International Peace Day.  All at once.
(moon through the remaining apple leaves which are being harvested for color!)

I've had an idea.  What if I spend a year making little prayer flags using techniques from this workshop and Jude's classes?  How many could I make by the next International Peace Day? 100??  What would become of them...I could think about that later, but meanwhile I'm about to start #12, if you count all those little embroideries from before.  Hmmm....it's just a thought, a question.

Anyway, in other news, on the equinox we also had our first much needed rainstorm of the season. Here is Gilly in a state of wild-eyed ecstasy as Her Wetness nests herself into the bed.
That's all for now dear readers!  Love to you from me!





15 comments:

  1. Susanna, how absolutely wonderful that you got to do a workshop with I. Flint! I'm happy for you, but sort of jealous at the same time. ;) I have to go back and study your 9-patches better -- and the chopping technique, too. Your photos are magical and this was so fun to read. Sweet Gilly! Good things come in threes, they say -- full moon, equinox and peace day. xoxo

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    1. Peggy, I feel so fortunate to have been able to do this, and someday perhaps All of us clothmates can be in one spot together like this. Wouldn't that be something!

      You have inspired me to be much more aware of moon phases...your moon cloths are enchanting, and instructive to me...

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  2. Oh that Gilly is adorable! Sure wish I could have been there too.

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    1. Me too, Deb...maybe someday that will be possible...with all our collected animals of course!

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  3. Gilly looks as if she's part of eucalypt-dye project. Such beautiful wild colours, and such stormy eyes.

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    1. She does, doesn't she! It's that wild terrier look! And then, in no time at all, she's asleep!

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  4. What a lovely trip you had. I have travelled to that area once to study with Gail Harker (when she was in Oak Harbor)...so beautiful, and so full of art-makers! Love the purple from the carrots in your fabric. Thanks for taking us along on your adventure.

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  5. You're welcome, Margaret. Yes, the carrot is so rich! When I ironed it, I was amazed at the layers and depth of the color...

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  6. It came - and went - all too fast ... but I'm so pleased to have had the pleasure of meeting you & being in your sweet company, Suzanna. Wish we could hang out together on a porch, with our respective woofies, and stitch away some hours.

    Your work with wool is inspiring! and that photo of Her Wetness is absolutely priceless ~ please give pats from me ;>]]

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    1. Hi Christi...yes, the porch! I have always loved porches and now have a really good reason to be there!..Sorry to take so long to reply!

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  7. oh, you were there, i had plan's to go, but mom;s illness kept me from committing.

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    1. jude, maybe we will have a *next time* ;>]

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    2. Jude, hoping there will be another chance...that would be so lovely!

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  8. so nice to read your story about the workshop by India. I'm happy for you that you could have this chance.

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    1. Sandra, it was an experience I really treasure...giving my work another dimension indeed. So good to hear from you!

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