Spirit Cloth

OK

So. Here I am.

There are many reasons for this change. But not as many as there were for leaving. The biggest one was my inability to easily put media here, which has not changed.

And then what if confusion is a form of clarity?

I am here because I am confused. Became confused. I guess that is clear enough for now.

Things:

I left here awhile ago for technical reasons. I went here. Some of you may not have found me there. 

The service that delivers these posts by email no longer accepts new subscribers. But it seems, at least for now, if you remained subscribed, you will continue to receive these posts by email. I cannot add anyone to the list at this point. 

I will now continue, openly, blogging here. If you are subscribed at Feel Free, you will no longer be receiving updates for the blog. The story is here.  I will resume links to blog updates on Facebook. 

Some may not be able to comment. You might try changing browsers. It is what it will be. 

Media will be difficult. A lot more work. Audio is my concern since I love to talk to you. I was out weeding the garden this morning. Knowing that old fashioned weeding is considered backbreaking work and there are so many ways we try to make it easier.  But I said to myself...back breaking work is also back building work.  So I will keep at it. Become stronger. Not lazier. Which is trending these days.

I will take a few days away. Gather myself. Selves.

Trying to Tell it

It's not the thing, it's the spirit of the thing.

How a thought rises through consciousness. That's what I was thinking a day or so ago...with all that has happened, it fell back in. Anyway there was too much coffee, probably because there was too much shitty wine.

I promised a video but I am not up to it really.  These big squares are 5". Once I start with a certain puzzle piece size, all the other elements fall into relationship with that. I talked about that here. Obviously, I could continue adding 5" squares until it was "big enough". But I've done that. 

I made the cross and stitched it to the base instead. Like a puzzle block. Maybe to see it that way.  There many ways to patch to a base. I talked about that here. As a matter of fact, what I talked about in Small Cloth can apply to large cloth, right? Just the scale is different which might require a bit of problem solving in terms of handling a larger cloth. But that is the never ending learning part.

So I made the puzzle pieces in the same way. Ironed around a template, edges glue-stitched to keep the edges in place while fiddling.  Then I stitched 9 squares (made more than 9) together to form the cross.  I glue-stitched the cross to the base cloth by sewing down the center in both directions, so the edges might flap open, allowing me to add the 4 more pieces to create the extended 9. A little awkward to work into the corners but it worked. Of course I could just applique them as well. Or draw the framework of the patch work and use the skatching (patching over a sketch) method. So you see, so many ways. I like to mix it up. Or go with what works with my mood or my energy in the moment. All the while noticing how each way has it's own feel. Sensing that.

There was some journaling.

link to audio if you see no player above

This was Monday's post but I didn't post it. I felt detached. But now, ok, there it was, an idea. Not planned bit as it happened.  Could I create a pieced back? One that would might show through the base cloth, like a shadow yet still a main part of the structure, and work with the existing pieced cross/extended nine patch? What if?

 

 

Hunker Down and Work with Where You Are

 

Wednesday. Robe day.

I've been enjoying the pics on Instagram and seeing where you are. 

Where am I? 

I ask that a lot. Sometimes as soon as I rise in the morning. But here, today, I am still at where was I. ? .

I use the term Design Mending to describe a form of real time design. It's really about continuing from where you are. Reconsidering based on what is. Not returning to check if you are on plan. Where you should be.  Everything is new at each moment. From a creative standpoint I think Boro can be used as an example of moment to moment problem solving, going, as each moment changes the shape of what was, and what you need, and what you have to work with. And ultimately what you get. 

So that morning, so long ago, Wind was hanging. On a stick in the home I no longer live in.  I noticed how different it was  from my original drawing but how my original needs had still been met.   I thought about what I may have done differently to begin with, but how that didn't matter as long as I ended up with a light weight summer robe that I might throw on as I jumped naked from the bed on a hot summer morning.   Maybe just to go out to watch the sunrise.  Maybe to feed the goats if I had some.  Probably just to put out the trash. And if it was today, just to gaze out the window and wonder where I am. 

Anyway, back in June of 2012... I looked at where I was.  I talked out loud to myself. (And oddly, I am talking to you now)

Link to audio if you see no player.

Then, Now What?   Where I was and a way to continue:

Link to audio 2 if you see no player

Hey, large just became small again!

I think it's time to be here and now with this robe. Because so much unrecorded work has been done. And still there is so much more I could do to make this more into a finished garment. Next Wednesday I will ask myself where am I? In real time and get on with it. 

Day 3

 

Here I am.

Again.

(loving this,how much the paper seems like cloth)Wondering where I begin. Or not.

With the box I put myself in, looking for another way out.

Over the next month I will work on all the existing small works here. Touch them. Let them go, finished or not. I think one final Spirit Cloth Shop update for small stitched works when Spring begins.  I know that once the season changes, I will be outside. Clearing paths. Trying to grasp my new sense of personal space.

Just to clarify, I am now 69. And I have entered into my 70th year on earth. This being Day 3. 

I do not feel particularly physically challenged. I feel good. Strong. It's not difficult for me to continue as I have for so many many years here. But my focus is shifting. I sense that. My thoughts are leading me astray. I am a stray at heart, in that regard.

I We moved to make things easier, especially financially, as we age. We may do that again. But for now we feel free enough to change our minds. I do not miss the old place. I thought I would. But Poof, it's just another day.  What else is there?

 

Wild Things

The Beast is stirring.

Can't tell you right now how many things are welling up in me.

Maybe later...