Praying that this is all we need, a remembrance of times past and present, not the future as it might be.
Author: arlee
I am a Canadian textile artist in Calgary, Alberta. As textile artists, we connect and are connected to communities larger than our Selves, or our immediate environs. We encapsulate culture, technique, history and innovation every time we touch cloth.
whatever makes us happy
At first i was pissed off and scared about all the bad news posts this morning, then i was afronted and pissed off by the alternating flowers and pussycats posts, because it seemed to trivialize the point, but you know what? Let’s do that: art, shoes, cats, babies, flowers, sunrises and all the good stuff–because we need a reminder that the world in our hearts is still good and *these* are the things we affect and are affected by to DO GOOD ourselves. Here’s my DogFaced Girl Nessie, having yogurt for breakfast. THIS makes me heartened.
two more moons done
Above, “Pure Joy Moon”, below “Pollen Moon”
I have one more indigo moon planned, and two more of the 4×4 juice moons, but in the meantime, i am doing something entirely, not-so-different 🙂 with indigo dyed cotton. It’s a Christmas fair after all, and what’s a Christmas fair without a few funky bits?? If my plans do not work, well, back to moon again, or stars, or suns or something…….
When the sale is over, i plan on taking a two week “reading break”!!!!!!!!!!
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I have this and 5 more to “put together”, meaning this major part of the embroidery is done and they need to go on their backgrounds and mounted.
“Pollen Moon”
And that means my “Phases of the Moon” phase will be done for awhile, and i can get cracking on my other ideas!
“torn between two lovers”
I continue. And continue. And continue.
I’m reminding myself that the intended audience cares nothing for or about my “serious” work, that they want “pretty” or “interesting” for a reasonable price, and no one can blame them for that. The aim after all, of a Christmas Market is to get something into someone else’s hands for gift giving, and to get a few dollars in your own pocket. How can i complain about that? When i made “wearable art” in the 90’s that was my ONLY concern: i *didn’t* want things hanging about the Stoodio, or it was wasted materials, time and effort. The big problem really is that i committed late to the endeavour, giving myself only 37 days to get enough work together………..I blame ME for all of this then……The Financial Me says GO GO GO, and the Artist Me is dragging her heels and whining.
“Next year, i’ll start earlier for Christmas.” I *do* have an 11tybajillion ideas for that, so we’ll see what percolates up from the wells then. And all complaining aside, i like these efforts, BUT..
I keep staring at this, currently pinned to a design wall, trying out things in my mind, jotting notes, holding my breath.
I’m reminding myself it will all be “over” at the end of Nov 19, and i can return to this and other new work, with copious ideas, plans and colourways, motifs and techniques.
Snivel snivel snivel.
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PS Fabrics are on sale in the shop–winter clear out time! <——That’s a link 🙂
hopping finished…
“Darkwoods Rabbit”.
(Jackrabbits do not live in the woods, but on the prairies in scrub and grass, but for poetic and artistic licence………)
On to other things now.
still hopping
Second rabbit is almost done–and there won’t be anymore in this time frame! (19 days till set up!) As much as i love them, the work involved getting them to sit properly is time consuming, and sometimes frustrating! I just about threw “Darkwoods Rabbit” in a hissy fit at one point the other night. “Next year i’ll start earlier for Christmas” as we all so brashly say 🙂
This is my new favourite variegated from Caron’s Wildflowers collection. Oft-times when i choose a thread to use, it’s late at night, and i am depending on the Ottlight in my stitching corner to “match” colours. On Sunday, i was in the stoodio with the sun was shining on the worktable as i pulled various flavours, and i saw this colour combination as it truly is–deep grey, deep indigo, soft charcoal and that wonderful rust shade, perfect!
Caron Wildflowers collection # 260, “Sticks and Stones”
There are other pieces, just moons, and something else i’ve come up with to produce for this sale, all laid out in an ever burgeoning pile in the stitch corner……but whatever gets done, gets done. I haven’t a clue how much more i can do in 19 days, but am giving it my valiant best to have enough to show what i do, and interest people!
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I was finishing one of my small moons on the train last Friday morning and the lady sitting beside me started talking about what i was doing, asking intelligent questions and truly interested. After she asked me how much i would sell it for, another woman sitting across from me sniffed and said derisively “$XXX for *that*???”, whereupon my seat mate smiled, leaned over and put her hand on the woman’s knee and sweetly but edged said “yes, isn’t it awful how we undervalue handwork?” HUZZAH! #somepeoplegetwhyhandworkisvaluable
very hoppy (like i could resist that?)
❤ ❤ ❤
Actually, i’m quite enjoying this less “serious” phase in my stoodio/stitching corner.
juice moon 1 done
I may go blind doing these 🙂 , but a sale is a sale! And if i don’t have enough for the Contextural Christmas Artisan day to justify the fees, there won’t be any point being there…..
At the same time though, the ideas are flowing freely, as i jot down copious notes about these and the technique/colourways for future work, so WTH, go with it. After Nov 19th, i can go back to the winged figure, and develop new work for next year.
I’m also working on another “rabbit moon” (different pose than the first), and thinking about some moon “miniatures” too. I knew i bought those silly little 4×4 canvases for some reason!
*this* is why i’m all “moony” right now
Originally, i wasn’t going to participate, as i don’t “do” “Christmas”—in product or at home as a “celebration”, but at the last Contextural meeting, was persuaded it might be to my benefit. No scarves, cushions or bags from me, as other members of the group have that amply covered (and no, that ain’t a kvetch, it’s what they do, for *their* bread and butter), but lots (i hope) of moons in various sizes, flavours and permutations.
So far, i have five….. I’m hoping for at least ten (hoofies crossed). Considering how many of these i have done this year, you’d think this is all i’m interested in, or capable of, but WTH, you do what sells. I had not planned on this being a Year of Moons!!!!!!!!!!!!
And this too:
Perhaps some collector will fall in love. (Have to find an easel though for display: our venue allows nothing on the walls.)
See you there????
albedo too 
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