CROSSING OVER

I crossed over the Straits to get to Canada and have crossed over the civilization line as I returned to Refuge Cove...my little haven of nature. I've been here exactly one month, and that's been one busy month of transitioning a summer home, a garden and big yard that had knee high grass when we arrived. The sewing machine area has been up and running for a week. Just yesterday I began dyeing fabric again in my outdoor studio (once a woodshed!).

I escaped Refuge and its full-bore responsibilities last weekend with my friend Corrine. We boated over to Cortes for their annual "Studio and Garden Tour". Among the dozen places to visit, there were some interesting fibre (I'm writing from Canada!) art scenes.

Brig has a wild, productive garden that she inherited from a friend who passed away a few years ago. On this property is her natural dye shop for wool. Such a body of knowledge she must have. She's also a mushroom expert and I'm sure she uses some in the dye process, along with lichens, barks, roots and flowers.

Lee memorialized her mother's passing with a show of her fantastic knitting collection (many wild Kaffe Fasset sweaters). The pews in the tiny Anglican Church in Whaletown were laden with these many colorful and beautiful crafted items.

 I tried one on...it was huge, and so cozy! (Wish I had that picture!)
Across from the church lives my friend Jan Boas, a quilter who does amazing work with batiks! And we were treated to delicious chocolate chip cookies! (No picture here either...)
I was inspired and enthused to get back to my little slice of heaven at Refuge Cove!

GYPSY QUILTING

For I am just a gypsy quilter,

Needle and thread in tow,

I stitch my stories as I travel,

Across this land I go.

Yes, it's that time again...moving time. Transitioning. Packing up and heading out.
Tomorrow we head north to our summer spot in Refuge Cove. Four days later we'll arrive. There will be friends along the way to visit, and familiar places to enjoy. And lets not forget all that last minute shopping.

I have these three little story quilts from my "Signs of Life" project ready to go. Thank goodness I don't get car sick. I can stitch away mile after mile, ferry ride after ferry ride.

Refuge Cove, here we come.

AND MORE BIRDS

I just finished a job for a woman in Victoria. These pillows have been on order for almost 9 months. They've been "gestating" in my mind during this time and finally made it to cloth in the past month. They are done, finished, and ready for the drive north in a few days to pass them on to her (and to head to Refuge Cove for the summer).

 

I really can't get enough of these birds!

 

JOURNALING AND MORE JOURNALING

I've been doing a lot of that lately...journaling. Cloth Journaling. For two different purposes:
1. My Cybre Fibers group
We have 12 wonderfully challenging themes this year: Underwater,Victory, Balance, Reflections, If Pigs Could Fly, Wisdom, Finally, Ritual, Faces, Intersections, The Humble Bumblebee, and Crystal Ball. Now that's a mouthful, and a full and delicious plate of journal topics to play with. Here are some I created recently. Can you figure out which themes these are????

This is a sweet little poem about TRAVELING by James Reeves.

 

I really love this little piece, along with it's message.

 

 

My sweet little birds.

 

 

The name of this one is Glacier Bay.

 

 2. and my recent Signs of Life Project: Since November, I have been journaling my travel experiences. This gypsy quilter has been on the move this year: Jacksonville, Mazatlan, Kentucky, Guatemala, Guadalajara, Colima, Seattle, and points between. I've been journaling on cloth (in the same format as my Cyber Fibres group) throughout my journeys and telling the story behind them. It's an immensely fulfilling and motivating project.

Stay tuned!

SISTERS OF THE CASTOR BEAN

The recent news of letters tainted with ricin being sent to high officials (Obama being one) is a bit problematic for our group of traveling friends. Just because ricin is an extract of castor beans, which can then be administered in very small amounts to kill someone, doesn’t mean we’re in on the sadistic side of it.

It was just a silly passing comment, perhaps aimed at an annoying woman or uncooperative spouse, that castor beans could be the solution. After a few more references to the power of the castor bean (all in fits of laughter of course!) we quickly claimed the name for our traveling partnership: Sisters of the Castor Bean!

Each year a group of eight women (with members floating in and out with life’s demands) travels to a Spanish speaking destination. Our tie that binds us is that we all spend the winter (or longer, for some) in Mazatlan. AND we really like each other and have lots of fun together. So far, we have been to Michoacan, Oaxaca, Mexico City and surrounds, Chiapas, Guatamala, and next year to Costa Rica.

Last year we were greeted at the airport in Guatemala City by our van driver (sweet Guillermo) holding up the name of our group. It was the perfect beginning to another fabulous trip.

But now this castor bean/ricin attention is not good for our group. Do we need to hide our identity just to stay on the safe side? Is it like joking about bombs and guns when you go through security at the airport?

I think Sisters of the Castor Bean should carry their name with pride! Think of it this way…if the FBI shows up at our doors, we’ll all go down together and make it another great trip!

KATHE'S MESS

This is Kathe's mess. (We thought it was a little work of art!) Yep, dyeing is messy business, but so fun. She joined us today at Christine's house for her first ever dyeing session. We made her sign a disclaimer beforehand so as not to blame us if she gets hooked. She brought over a wine-stained tablecloth (that she's rinsing below) and then went on to create eight napkins. I can't wait to eat at her house!!!!

 

It's so wonderful to have friends who love to dye AND invite me over to dye with them. My little space here in Southern Oregon is a bit confining so I'm always so appreciative AND EAGER to hang out with other dyers (Christine, Cynthia, Lene, Kathe too!). Gracias amigas!

Today I worked on a specific batch of colors for a commission and somehow the dye didn't take....argh! I think the problem is in the soda ash; I'll be checking on that one. I did come home with some nice camouflage pieces....this orange and a green one too. Here it is full of darkened printpaste.

 

Christine was busy with adding black lines to this jacket, and also another batch of parfaits. A fun day, AND really not messy at all.

 

 

 

 

CREATING ON THE ROAD

We've taken a road trip this month...three weeks in Guadalajara and a week exploring in the state of Colima. Our goals were to see more of Mexico and to study Spanish. Both objective accomplished! Tomorrow we head back to Mazatlan.

But I can't live without my fabric and needles and thread, etc. etc., so I packed along a basket of supplies to keep me going on my quilt journals and "bird signs". I brought along 10 small pieces of batting and I'm happy to say I have filled them all up. I don't have a sewing machine with me but I did complete all the raw edge applique - and now I'm just waiting for TIME at the machine.
Here are a few of my half-finished creations.