Home Alone

Well, this week I had a week to myself!! I had company here for the week prior and had a good amount of "chill" time. My husband left for a week long conference in Boston along with the company. Mass exit! It was perfect timing...after I realized the precious gift of private (studio) time was in my grasp, I was off and running!

I thought at first I would just jump right in and have fun; however, I soon realized...it had been awhile since I had actually sat down, totally focused AND had NO distractions. This was actually eerie....I did not get off to the robust "charge out of the gate" pace I first anticipated! Instead, I found out I was NOT focused at all. My mind was going in too many different directions. I had to go through and sort out.....what did I want to do the most? What had I been aching to accomplish, if I only had the time? What was that technique I wanted to try? Where is that fabric I have been saving? Next, I took a nap.

My second visit to the studio was equally weird. I sort of stood there and stared at things.

Finally, I said to myself, "Just jump in and go for it!" So, I did just that. I started to cut strips, (how ordinary is that?). It was methodical, it freed my mind to not have to think to hard.

Cut, sew, cut sew....I did this for hours. Then, I started to see something developing!

Backtrack....I have been reading a good book: The Disorder of Longing
I have that condition...I admit I do "long for".
I was about 3/4 through it; savoring the approaching ending.


I decided to take a break and read for a while. What a luxury even to be able to let give myself permission to take the time to do these things.
There is one scene in particular, that is descriptive of which the entire story hinged upon.

While reading this section I am immediately stop; I have to get a pencil and paper to take notes.
The story is set in the late 1800's, Victorian era. The main character, a female has discovered the most rare and precious orchid in Brazil.
She describes the setting: She has on a turquoise dress, simple cotton sun dress and barefoot. She spots the cluster of colors: red, purple, yellow and must go closer to see clearer. She inhales the perfume while taking in this incredible scene. She decides to lie down among the flowers and become one with them. Her turquoise dress mingles with the orchids. She is now looking up through the flowers to see the view from under the leaves. She sees the red, yellow and purple flowers against the vibrant blue sky.

What a palette. As I jot down the colors....I realize...OMG---these are the VERY colors I had been working in all day!

The next day, back in the studio I ponder the composite I have created. It is not a composition at all.
But, I like sections. After a good bit of thinking I decided to divide it.

One section that I liked the most became a 5x11" design I titled: Hopscotch

The fabrics I used created an interesting illusion of transparency.
The block shapes look as if they are moving and playful.
The base fabric, a gorgeous hand dyed in shades of red and yellow. After cutting strips of various other fabrics I decided to weave them and place them onto the hand dyed fabric. I included strips of painted watercolor paper. They were painted in deep tones of purple and turquoise.

I tore the painted paper and this created a white edge. The white edge became an important accent within the composition.

The transparency was created by using printed chiffon. This fabric is really tacky....but, has great color passages.

The challenge came when I needed to finish the edges. Hopscotch finished

In my first attempt I used the lining fabric, single layer stitched 1/4" from the front. This didn't look too bad....but didn't suit the mood of the piece.









My second attempt utilized the chiffon. Same width and method. This looked better, but still not right.









My third try proved successful. I used the chiffon, however, I placed it strategically along the edge to continue the color passages as best I could. I didn't want to stop the flow of color. I sewed the single layer strip to the front with a 1/8" seam, turn to the back nice and tight. Along the way I decided the orientation should be vertical; the view as in playing Hopscotch.

Now, the remaining sections are under "construction".
One is developing and has promise.
Title: Peace, 5x6"




This is the longest post I have made yet!

When it rains, it pours! I enjoyed the rain...
does it show?

I am always interested in your comments; please let me know what you think.