Spirit Cloth

Warmth

It is almost too cold to open the curtains.   This old  hand printed cloth  is nice to look though though.  And its dark  color  absorbs the heat  immediately when the sun shines.  But today there is no sun.

The fire is slowly going.  And the madder is in the copper pot . There are a few leftover walnuts in there too.   Maybe an onion skin or two.   Some kind of lazy warm color will  hopefully be the result.  

Lots of wood nearby for burning today.   After  Looking closer,  I won't be burning this one.   There is wind in this wood.   What a beauty.   Last year's storm fall.  This one is for warming soul. 

I think I will call this little fragment of silk I just dyed  Footsteps Across the Moon.   As always, with warmest regards for the generous teachings of  India Flint.     Some one who certainly knows how to light a fire.  

On cold days the gift of warmth is more apparent.

Seeing in the dark and thank you

During the storm, I used what little battery I had left in the camera taking pictures in the dark.  Either with the aid of the flashlight, candle light  or fire glow.   After the power came back I still had the habit of navigating in the dark without flipping the light switch.  These alternate light sources became like new eyes in the storm.  Everything seemed different.  I  love this one of the lion quilt  under the flashlight.  Kind of like cloth through heat seeking goggles. 

After the cold moved in, in addition to the wood stove, the fireplace  remained stoked as well so there was light all night.  We took turns tending it, burning some of the  big oak that fell during  last year's hurricane. 

This is a bit of  oak cloth hanging on the mantle .  In honor of the gift of the oak.  By Henrietta.

But really we didn't sleep much those nights anyway.  We have decided to save up for an additional wood burning insert for this chimney.  Just in case.   We have so much wood here.   And we could heat the whole house  instead of just the studio.  In case we need to bring Mom here. 

And then there are my Storm socks.  By Cindy.  Can't say I won't wear them out before the next storm though. 

Stormwatch and feathers

A finding.    One of nature's finest pieces of shibori.   A memory of  days.  A prediction of others.

We are on storm watch here once again.   Frankenstorm they are calling it.   Hurricane with snow?  We will be  bringing wood in today.   In case.    I wonder how many storms she remembers?   Faced.  Still a bit aloof, but she is keeping her options open  for quick shelter.  At least it seems that way.   I think she has many homes.   Developed a skill for that. 

I've added a flame to the inner circle of HOME.  For extra warmth. More fire inside.

 And this magnificent woven piece, because I like its reach.   Weaving is a lot like story telling to me.  The way it concentrates and focuses the materials available.  Strengthens a thread.

Home.  It becomes more.

I have been a  bit out of balance because of an accidental wipe-out of emails and contacts (and they call it a smart-phone?) , but comments are re-enabled  and the shop will reopen soon.   If the storm hits, as expected,  the power will be down here for a few days, as always.  Here on the coast the wind has the upper hand.  And that is just the way it is.   Keep you posted. 

This story cloth is part of the Magic Feather project, which will soon have it's own website. 

Change

It  was a bit warmer yesterday. And after an overnight storm it is again chilly.  An early morning fire seemed a good idea.  Especially with the copper  pot filled with soaking walnuts  on the wood stove.  

It is still unusually green here, the foliage only just turning.   I considered a little halloween cloth, with morning coffee.  A little cloth voodoo. To encourage color.  And some comic relief.