Day 12...

Day 12 and I am even short a post or two because I started late and I am at a loss for words. Kind of a quiet day. Dragged my farm table back in because the weather is changing. It grew too cold to work on it any further and a storm is coming up the coast, I think they are calling it a Northeaster. I don't mind, a good excuse to hunker down and be cozy and just be.

I began a painting today. I was excited to get painting. There just never is time or I am looking for a place in my house to physically put my self to do so. I no sooner began and a family member decided her emergency, in her way of thinking, was more important...Have you seen the movie "Who Does She Think She Is?" Take a peak at the trailer.

I belong to a small group that meets at my church for the purpose of looking at creativity, art and faith. We have worked through some books over the past year or more, beginning with The Artist Way. Now we are working through the book Creativity and Divine Surprise. But the most important thing we do is encourage on another. Tonight we decided to begin a program that was found on a web site called Prayerwindows. We will work it independently then share what we discover and anything we do in the way of art making weekly. I'll let you know...

This is Amy. She is a 13" Beagle. I usually show Maggie on here just because that is how it happens. Amy is getting on in years I guess is the polite way to say it. She is 13 plus years and pretty feisty compared to the meek little thing she used to be...and begging was something she left up to Maggie to do but now her begging skills are up there with the best of them. These days she misses breakfast and sleeps in and most of the day really. I just thought I'd introduce her.


Thanks for reading. Peace.

A Celebration of the Arts

Saturday I spent the day at my church with my 40" Harrisville loom demonstrating weaving. In the next photo you can see my loom on the back of a pickup going on holiday for the weekend. It was a great day with many people stopping and asking questions. Some people had no idea what I was doing or what I was doing it on! I had decided on making a "story cloth" of 8/2 cotton in plain weave, a story of the my church community. This cloth will be made of pieces of cloth, natural fibers, jewelry, beads, ribbons, trims, etc. I asked that people please prayerfully consider what they would like to include in the cloth. What might they include that would represent them or someone they love. They could bring something meaningful, like a piece of fabric from a special garment or strips of a favorite fabric. I warped the loom at the church the night before until 1:30 AM. That was an experience. I was humming, whistling, close to talking to myself. I was alone downstairs while others were upstairs hanging paintings and photos and art in general made by the members of the church. I finally got it warped and decided to send a few picks in for a header but I had no tension. Needless to say I was sick. The loom appeared or the friction brake appeared to be not working. At home over toast at 2 AM looking through the Harrisville booklet, the photo showing the brake peddle and it's cord looking somewhat in a different position than mine...I still researched friction brake issues and purchased sandpaper on my way back to the church the next day. Also on Hi,It"s Terri I read about live-weight tention. Looks interesting. Something one uses instead of the brake on the loom. But not enough information for me that day to use...But back to church I go armed with some things to try. The first being to re-route the brake cord...it was the problem. The loom had been in the basement apart. I tried to find a smaller loom to use but there were none close by so the next best thing was my second loom. I have two looms, both 40". One a Macomber and the Harrisville. So I quickly put it together, quickly being the operative word. It was arranged that someone with a truck would come for it as I said. So now it is back home and I am awaiting more additions from people who now have more of an understanding of what I am doing so I can finish it. It will then go to the church with a journal of who and what people gave and it will live on the Communion table and belong to the church.

A book was mentioned in the program Art and the Bible by Francis A. Schaeffer. Looks interesting and will read it but one of the thoughts was encouraging. "Being in the image of the creator, we are called upon to have creativity. In fact it is part of the image of God to be creator or to have creativity."
"He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers." Exodus 35:35 I think that is so cool , written so long ago.
Here is my Amy. She agreed to a photo shoot and her eyes are just fine. Look at that white face. She is a sweet girl.
Ah, my flowers are beginning to return. I found these white bleeding hearts as I was roaming around my winter weary yard. Maybe now I will be able to get out and do some work . It is actually May 1. It is so nice to look out and see green, grass, leaves, and flowers. Yes, green is good right now isn't it.
Have a great day and thanks for reading.