Just rambling thoughts

Writing - a way to convey thoughts and feelings into black marks on a page. These marks can last a few minutes or a lifetime.
I really enjoy reading and spend a bit of time each day with a book. Books have always been my friends and I do find that I use this way of entertainment to escape from stress.
Which brings me to my current stressful period of an illness within the family and my complete abandonment of any creative work.
Now that things are working out for the better, it is coming back. Creating my work, not reading.

My creative work comes from the soul and it only makes sense to me that when I am stressed, the creative self submerges and the "rescue, help and nurturing" self emerges. My she is a very take charge kind of gal! But when she takes charge everything else seems to just fall to the wayside. I couldn't even cook!

I started work on my waterlily again and now am appliqueing it to the background. Thoughts have surfaced on how to do some dyeing of some silk strips I have - just need cooler weather. I think I will take the soda ash soaked fabric outside on platters and paint it with dye mixed with the fishy stuff. (the name escapes me)
That is as far as I have traveled this morning. Waiting for weather to change and spending time working in Concord all day. Taking the waterlily with me too.
Makes for entertainment and keeps my  hands busy.

Finished!!!

Yes, I'm finished and wearing it! It's lightweight, and roomy too. I made a change and needed a closure/belt, but didn't want just a belt, so came up with this triangle shape at the waist. Then I went into my strange collection of buttons and stuff. Found this 1940's belt buckle and thought that looked just fine. used a half belt connected at the side and Voila!

Almost done!

So I went off the beaten path and decided to make myself a Kimono (actually called a Hanten Jacket) and now it is almost finished. Sleeves and collar is basted on and waiting for a good sit down to just hand stitch it down. I have also been working on (in my head) a closure for it besides the usual obi type waist band.
The fabrics were a gift to me a long time ago by my BF and I never had a use for them and then recently the light blub went off. :)
I am pretty happy with the garment and have been working on it for two weeks (off and on.)
I have also been quilting and beading, changing banks, working cooking, gardening, etc. Off to start TODAY!

Another finished!

This one was done, then I added more and quilted it. No rules!!!!

Working away!

Finishing up my Apache Gold Iris and still thinking about my Water Lily. Strolled around in my garden with a friend yesterday :) That was fun as I usually do this alone. Lots of huge plants this year and my peonies are actually budding. I have never seen them flower since my Mom gave them to me years ago, but kept trying. (Maybe that's why... I should stop moving them!) They are in the best place now and will stay there.

Sliced my index finger last night doing dishes..............makes me wonder if I should do dishes anymore. Throwing them out is not an option, so I guess if I want clean ones then.....

I am attempting to clean my studio room this morning before my MIL comes over :)

Photos are a tad dark and slightly blurry - sorry about that, but it was early when I took them :)

Shoes and jewelry - not fabric

I feel like I ended up with the BEST deal on shoes for the wedding. Got a pair of Bruno Magli (leather, hand made in Italy) off of EBay. (got this idea from Melody Johnson) This type of shoe typically goes for $250 - $300 a pair. Got mine for $35 bucks! Perfect condition, never worn and come in their own separate bags. For someone who doesn't wear heels, these are perfect, low heel and in my skin color to boot. Ok, enough crowing :)

I went to a friends' Open Studio yesterday and got a neat-o pair of earrings and ordered a bracelet too. It was a fun time and then the pollen came out and I went in. That's it for now.

And here it is!

So yesterday I showed a photo of the flower I am working on and here it is. It is not embroidered or quilted yet, but I like the progress so far.

I made the background at a friends house with the Gelli plate - I like the contrast with the flower.
Working on a water lily at the same time. All the work I am doing right now is fairly small - why? Just because.