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Tuesday 24 January 2012

WIP Wednesday

I've been on the look out for dress forms / dress displays.  We've had lots of snow and I've gone for several walks in it.  I feel so infused and ready to continue on with my second wearable - A Winter Dress.  Or perhaps just an arctic corset.  We'll see how it transforms.  Nonetheless, Karen Ruane (Contemporary Embroidery) will be so proud of me that I'm finally picking up the slack.  I took her white-on-white embroidery cloth class last year online and fully expected to be done by now.  But without snow through November and December, it just wasn't working for me.  The timing must be right because a second dress form was just delivered to my doorstep.  It's time!

how else to say thank you to a sewist for passing on some of her gear to me?

I made up this postcard with a print from Fabricland.  I 'traced' it with variegated thread and popped it in the mailbox last night on my way home from guild.  We had a garage sale there last night, and can you believe I came home with a bolt of the most perfect color for an autumn prairie dress!!??  Oooh I'm committed now aren't I?  2 more dress forms or dress stands are needed to buy or barter for, so drop me an email if you can help out.  mysweetprairie@gmail.com

Last week I began an "Experimental Fibre - Advanced" class at university.  I've been having trouble writing about it since that first day.  I was expecting to be able to work on a project of my own using some techniques I've been wanted to try.  Instead, we are asked to bring in an incomplete project and work on finishing someone else's.  WHoa.  Many of my classmates like paint and felt, and I don't (can't stand the feel of working with wool).  Still, I want to put my heart and soul into this class.  What on earth would I offer!??  I'm not sure sewing machines and quilting are embraced in this arena.  But maybe that's just my own apprehension.  Then I had the perfect idea (or so I hope).  I worked all afternoon on Sunday stitching together a nest by hand.  I used cotton thread and flax fibre to create something I can resonate with.  It's texture, it's fibre, it's nature, it's full of intention...  : )  I think it will be a wonderful palette for someone else to add to.

I am so proud of this.  I am making more.  I have plans!  ; )

My hopes are that someone else in the class will thoroughly enjoy embellishing this sculpture in their own way, with their own story. I will need to work on a project on my own time using the skills I take from that class.  There certainly is a terrific range of skills that those women hold!  I'll keep you posted.

And finally - I have a pile of prairie.  There are a good ten weeks until the Gardenscape show, and I'm feeling really terrific about what is done so far.  I have 4 pieces ready for hand stitching.  : )  This one below is about half way done. 

My Sweet Prairie Canola field in progress (sideways)

There you go!  That's where I'm at right now.  Oh my!  I heart fibre art!  : )  I'm linking to The Needle & Thread Network and Esther's Blog too : )


10 comments:

Laura lok said...

Gorgeous. You have a lot to be proud of

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

that class sounds like a real challenge....but challenges always stretch the boundaries of your imagination....so maybe good in the long run??

Mary Ann Tate said...

I think the fibre nest you created for your class is just perfect...think of all the possibilties that may result:)

Ellie said...

Wow, you certainly like to be kept busy don't you? lol. You have a lot of lovely things on the go at the moment.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Lovely work Monika....that little embroidery piece is adorable...you are way too talented for one person..lol. love your canola field

HollyM said...

I think the nest idea is wonderful and unique.
Your canola field looks lovely too.
I know you are super busy right now wiht your art work and classes but anytime you decide to teach a class on line I would signed up.

elle said...

Luv the postcard. The nest idea is genius.

Sheila said...

You never cease to amaze me with your creativity , enjoy your classes , they sound interesting and I am sure we will see how much you will learn from this experience.

Susan J Barker said...

As soon as I saw the postcard I was in Love! Inspiration! I think I will look through my fabrics to see what motifs I can find to go a similar route -- maybe guitars...

greelyrita said...

Sorry, I'm just now getting to commenting on last weeks posts. That nest is amazing!! Isn't it magic that birds can make a nest, one found textile/twig at a time, using just their beak? I love your postcard too! And the canola field is just breath-taking!!

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