prioritizing

The sun plans to blaze the day blue and toasty here today so that means I have to take advantage of time on deck studio. I went out to tidy up and my largest rinse tub was full of murky water so I dumped it over the side and look what fell out! These three pieces were put in for a last rinse and overlooked when I took things up to the washing machine. Now they've been painted with textile paints and once dry will be heat set and stacked away with the others waiting for their turn. Above is a piece of vintage damask. To the left, another one. And this is a large piece of that vintage feed sack cloth. This fabric is sturdy and has a course texture. Think heavy gauze or cheesecloth on steroids. The spots are metallic Jacquard textile paint in several levels of gold.

Time management

Lately I've noticed a lot of people posting about time management. The fact that I was reading these posts tells me that I have to reconsider what I do with what little free time I have. Sometimes things just get in the way. You've probably noticed that my work swings wildly between large, machine stitched pieces and tiny little hand held meditations that are 100% done by hand. Those are the things that I can work on while I am at my job. I find myself focusing closer and closer on these little things - I tried separating the ply at the end of the tail here with the intent of braiding it but the cotton just fell apart in my fingers. This morning I'm devoting to stitching on this big piece and later, if the sun comes out, taking outside for painting. I need to move this one along. Other things are waiting.

all these days

Today is our 32nd wedding anniversary..here I am showing off my engagement ring to my family. They are no longer skeptical about the match. Jimmy told me he bought the ring earlier in the fall and kept unwrapping it to show his sisters. I found it tied with a ribbon around the neck of a little plastic turtle in the bottom of my Christmas stocking. I have been bending his ear for all these years and he remembers every thing I say. And he makes me laugh every day. With apologies to the unknown author, this, from the card he gave me this morning. "The man who is deeply in love with his wife is a man who has all he could want in this life"

day of joy

I had forgotten how much I could wring from a day started early. Got to do it again tomorrow no matter how tough the start up feels. some of these pieces will be going into the world and some of them won't be going anywhere! some are just for fun and all were fun and interesting to make. That's a stalk of French lavender in front of the piece on the right. One little intoxicating blossom. I cannot imagine standing in a field in bloom. And see the teeny tiny little tomato next to the blue piece.

busy day

It's Jake's birthday. My youngest chick is 24 today and treating himself to a day off from work but chances are real good you'll find him in this selfsame pose, his favorite place to be, under the hood of something greasy that needs a master's touch. There are spice cupcakes to be baked,

new cloth to be ironed and photographed for sale at

Fiber Fandango and more in the process all while the cupcakes are baking.(you should see me juggle!!)

I've also taken another cheapskates flying leap at an online art venue here. Any input regarding my choices of work posted would be welcome. It seems like I can't bring myself to commit to more than $25 for any sort of entry fee on spec these days. and the pool is open and needs daily tending which is my personal physical and mental therapy. I am always cheered on by the lifeguards hard at their posts.