Tag: fabric flowers

Lockdown Learning

Friends I encounter many days on my morning walks.

During the five months that we’ve been staying at home, I’ve had time to explore new things.  

A zebra longwing in our front yard.

I’ve used my camera a lot, learning more about it, and even adding to the equipment inventory.  When we first learned that we were elderly and in the high risk group for Covid-19, I started sendng a morning photo greeting to our girls via text message.  Just a pretty way to say to them, “the old folks are fine,” so they could get on with their day without worrying about us.  I used my phone at first, learning new photo and editing capabilities.  

Then there were things the phone didn’t capture as well as I wanted, so I pulled out the digital mirrorless camera and learned more about it.  

We have several rabbits in our yard this year. So far, we’ve only SEEN them eating grass, but a few other plants have been mysteriously pruned.

When I needed a faster lens, or more “reach” for some of my subjects, I needed a better zoom lens.  

A woodland sunflower captured on a visit to Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge.

Looking through the lens of a camera changes things.  I’m not much of a gardener, but I needed to know the names of the plants I was photographing – because at least one of three recipients of these messages would ask.  And, distractions in the background weren’t good, so I pulled more weeds than I ever have before.  Who knew that such a simple act was so transformative?

A drawstring bag incorporating a bit of vintage embroidery and hand-dyed indigo linen.

Simple things are transformative in the sewing room, too.  I’ve used this time at home to explore more stitching opportunities, too.  I’ve finished several traditonal UFOs (and now I realize I need to photograph those), explored ways to include vintage linens in different projects, and reread many of the quilting books on my shelves.

Exploring more uses of ink on fabric inspired by Pam Holland’s draplique tutorial.

Though I could have done all this at any time, there’s something about not having plans to go anywhere, not having deadlines to meet, that is liberating.  I do miss seeing my quilting friends at guild and I miss teaching classes, but without those obligations, I’m enjoying researching new aspects of my own creativity.

A fabric flower adorns a notebook cover made from vintage linen fabric. I secured all layers using a double seed stitch to add texture. This new-to-me stitch is a fun one I will use again!

Staying in Place

I’ve been busy in recent days, but at first it seemed self-serving somehow to share my fun.  You see, I love staying home and creating; so doing that is not much of a sacrifice to me.  But at a time when others are compelled to stay put, whether for their own health or for the common good, and find it stressful, I thought it might be impolite to seem happy about it.

Social media tells me that the ones I know who are getting though this time of uncertainty most peacefully are those who stitch.  That’s not news to me – that stitching soothes the soul.  Others who sew (or knit, or paint, or draw, or build things) know the peace that comes with using your hands.  

One of my favorite haunts is this booth at The Cotton Depot in Monroe, GA

Yes, I do miss going to antique stores and other venues where I get inspiration (and I miss eating the occasional meal without cooking, too). But, since I can’t do those things, I will enjoy the time to do what I can.

So here’s a summary of my recent days.

I first cleaned my sewing closet.  The last big group meeting I attended was March 3 when I gave a program at a nearby quilt guild and taught a Stitch a Story class (techniques for textile collage).  All those samples and supplies had to be put away and the suitcase refreshed for the next class.  That next class has been postponed, but I am prepared.

Preparing for a class like that means pulling out elements from my stash, and I do that with abandon.  So afterwards, the bonus room in our house (my sewing closet, I call it) over the garage, needs a lot of straightening.  I did that with joy.  Re-organizing and neatly placing fabrics and trims is a labor of love.  Discovering forgotten treasures is part of the process.  

I continue working on art quilts, and I’ve added a new passion: fabric flowers.  The techiques and combinations of embellishments make for seemingly infinite possibilities.  I keep a basket of supplies on hand when an idea strikes for a new approach.

I usually like to “do my own thing” these days, but a kit from Maggie Bonanomi was the perfect project for a few nights in front of tv.  The bunny is now ready for gardening at our house.

And, speaking of gardening, Jim and I had created a new path through our woods in the past winter.  Warmer temperatures inspired us to burn collected sticks and debris in evening fires in our firepit.  Every day the walk on the trail leads us to new discoveries – most notably trilliums – on our property.

We delight in “surveying the plantation,” checking to see which plants have leafed out, which are still waiting to be sure frost is gone.  It’s a thrill to see the first bloom on the Spiderwort (Tradescantia), the geranium that was protected all winter showing its color.

Quiet days now are spent reading and sewing.  We watch little tv, but love old westerns.  We watched an old episode of Gunsmoke yesterday where Doc had a couple of cholera patients.  At the end of the episode, we remarked that “they didn’t mention quarantining Miss Kitty or anyone else.”  We probably would not have noticed that in the past.

Tawanda is my outdoor spirit doll. She reminds me to be happy year round – but she is especially right about the garden these days as plants are coming to life (including the indigo).

So I guess you could say my quarantine days are spent in art therapy and dirt therapy.  I hope yours are, too.  And, I hope at the end of this we have all learned something about a kinder and gentler way to live, without so much hustle and bustle.  May we all be safe.