I'm so grateful that something that started as a wonder and a whim between teaching hours, has turned into whole days full of stitching.
I've told myself that this week is devoted to making for the shop before the boys come home and we all take a break for the holidays. Social offers have been declined and meals are a simple as possible. I'm really enjoying this focused time. Noticing the importance of checking in with myself about balance and flow, not rushing the story, and still finding small new ways to stretch.
The morning paintings are all over the place- shapeless colors, color studies, controlling lines, less and less words.
An art school student reached out from across the country with survey questions about how textile art is valued by others, and how I value myself as an "artist". I had a few pent-up things to say about it all.
A new craft podcast also asked for an interview. After worrying for a few days that I might be shooting myself in the foot, I finally wrote back with a grateful thank you, but that my introvert anxieties just couldn't. I'm getting better at recognizing when something will take more than it will give. The decision was validated when a friend who knows me (who usually pushes me to try and be brave and put myself out there) said, "Good call."
Yesterday, while listening to a wonderful zoom about Harriet Powers (it was recorded, and hopefully will be released sometime in the future), this happened...
Everywhere- on, in, under, between, but luckily, not on the floor. About half a tall baby food jar's worth.
Most have been gathered and have set sail, or have been returned to the jar, but many went into the cascading pile of cloth scraps on the table. Treasures to be discovered over time.
Did I mention that they landed everywhere?!?
Cheers to all of you in your winter makings!