Yesterday my ecodye n crafting space was all a flood, literally, as were some of the streets in town. Mayhaps when there were prayers said for rain during the fires, specific amounts weren't mentioned! In fact it's quite cosy, for those of us who live on sandy soils which drain in the pauses, creativity n cuppa's. Garden n tree's loving it...
Mostly Ive been immersed in '29 Days' the magical mystery day at a time e-course with India Flint's, School of Nomad Arts. I thought I went slow, but these processes are chilling me out in an intentional yet not serious assed way. Lesson one, allow bundles to brew overnight in cauldron!! Wait till morningk to unfurl, rather than leaping with excited hands to do so right after cooking. Patience has it's own rewards.....
Shan't say too much more except that I'm loving it n my Tai chi practice is also benifittting!
This year I chose the word 'gratitude' and it was not such a bad idea, I've been going thanks, gratitude, blessings, thanks ever since 2020 rolled on in!
Last night I synchronicitously blundered across the work of a Japanese embroiderer called Junko Oki, oh and ahhh! Mostly, I'm a bit behind the times, from her book 'Punk' published in 2016. Some of her pieces have references to crosses, which I don't dig, but her circular and organicy stitchings I loooove! Simple stitches, blanket, running and backstitch, the kinds I can pull off and not too anal in her approach, obviously. Her written words are also beautiful....
'Memories can be implanted into material.'
Next weekend I'm doing a workshop 'Indigo and Shibori Dyeing' with local woman Anne Leon. It'll be big for me, go the group situation for two 6 hour stints, but she'll be right! So looking forward to the learnings. I've never reaaallly been a blue person, although I had a go at growing Woad due to me Gaelic ancestry, so will be interesting to engage with the Indigo and her rather ancient processes. Having said that, I now notice my forearm which is covered in a blue tattoo. Oddly enough that colour was called 'Earth'! Ha! It's my Suffolk oceanic honouring! Maybe Indigo n I will have more in common than expected ;). I'm hoping some of the Shibori techniques can be applied to my 'plant echo' experimentations.
Gawd sounds like a terribly name dropping hoo ha few paragraphs, but when one discovers fellow folk who inspire, it's a force of nature I find, and ripples out in surprising ways n tangents. In this age, online is oft the form of information sharing it seems!? Certainly it allows access to teachings I could otherwise not be blessed with, and in turn when brave I can share mine through such arenas. Although, social media does my head in sometimes, and I have to go off grid a whiles to engage with face to face reality. You'll notice the gaps. It's a bit like grounding spirit work. The making is indeed the prime focus I keep reminding myself.
Happy Full Moon
Blessings n Good Vibes
