Tiger Lily

Be free from the petty things yet true to the big ones. Things born of artificial education, be free of them. Throw to the four winds - an iconoclast. Be individual. Obey law and be absolutely guided by Principle, yet be individual. That means emancipation. Get right out and blow the top off the atmosphere. -- Florence Fleming Noyes

Listening to In my Soul, Mark Adams Allison (composer) Tempting the Muse Mysteria, as I enjoy my Sunday morning quiet time.

For a short time in my life I was privileged to be part of a group called Tiger Lilies --a group of women who danced together, seeking their own authenticity, their personal power. Women who acknowledged and nurtured the artist in each other, as we are all artists; a group of women who related to the earth and celebrated her seasons. This group helped define who I am now, a person who chooses to live a life that nurtures my authentic self. From time to time I'll share some of the material from my "Tiger Lily" file that I hope will be inspirational to you as well.

This is the closest to a Tiger Lily picture that I had in my file taken from the flower arrangements at my son's wedding in 2005 and then computer manipulated.

Chaos Has Passed

The chaos has passed -- at least for the moment. After boxes of fabric and pieces laying everywhere in my studio, a new design evolved using some of my leftover purple chenille pieces. My first idea of sewing small pieces to a foundation fabric didn't work out. It was too stretchy. Instead, I worked with larger pieces. It was going to be a jacket, but somehow it turned into a loose and unstructured shirt with sleeves. The weight is more that of a heavy sweater. This should fit anyone from size medium/large to extra large.

I can't seem to get the color right on these photos. This is a really deep and rich purple blend woven of yarns in three shades of purple from a fuchsia purple to a almost navy blue purple. Some of the pieces were woven and dyed with a shibori technique.

Music in my Studio

This morning I'm alone in my studio--the perfect opportunity to pump up the volume on my music and practice techniques I learned in my singing classes at Swallow Hill Music. I don't consider myself a musician, but I love to sing. There's nothing I love better than harmonizing with folk and roots music. I was raised in a large family in the rural South with no TV and little radio. As we did our chores or rode in the car we sang gospel tunes. Singing harmonies was what we did. I was influenced by many other genres of music from that era as I came of age --bluegrass, country, rock, blues and folk. This morning I've put some of my favorite singers in my CD changer on shuffle-- Nancy Griffith, Eliza Gylkerson and Ian Matthews, The Waifs, Emmy Lou Harris.

Inspiration or crazymaking?

Listening to Reasonland by Antje Duvekot from Hands Across the Water and sipping coffee from my very tall apple green mug -- On the mountains and foothills lies a new blanket of spring snow. Here in my garden everything is brilliant green from the two inches of rain we received yesterday. Since this much rain is rare here, I am reminded to enjoy this beautiful moment.

I seem to be going in circles in my studio. I start a project -- then get another idea. I drop the first project and start a new one which gives me another idea. So I drop that and off to the next inspiration. And once again total chaos reigns. When I'm in this state, it's anyone's guess where I'll find myself in the end. But one thing's for certain; when the ideas flow I'm going to go with it but, heaven only knows where it will take me. And I remember; I've been her before. Ah, yes, many times.

Saving the Earth One Napkin at a Time

Ah -- a walk in the park with a friend after a busy day in my office catching up with paperwork, shipping and planning -- much was accomplished and still time to enjoy the beauty of spring.

Yesterday was Earth Day. I spent some time thinking about what I could do to help heal the earth this year. I've decided to make fabric napkins. Silly? maybe . . . but why not? Quality is more important to me than quantity. Buying lots of stuff that goes in the trash doesn't makes sense to me. Serving my dinners with cloth napkins is so much more elegant and special and besides, I have lots of colorful cotton fabric on my shelves so voila! No reason to fill my trash with paper.

Spring

There is a part of me
That is rooted firmly in the earth.
It is to this grounded solid me
That I now deeply bow.
For without this,
There could be no expansion,
No life giving nourishment
Coursing to my tender new leaves,
No strong stem to reach
Toward the sun.
The earth is my home for this
Incarnation, and I am blessed.
--Danaan Parry

Listening to Govinda by Jai Uttal/Ben Leinbach -- Music for Yoga and Other Joys . Finishing the last of my special Sumatra bean coffee reserved for Sunday mornings. It's spring and I love my life!

Newly turned earth from the beds where the weeds have been pulled, fresh cut tulips in a glass vase on my counter, sun streaming in through my windows and bright color all around me. This is life at its best and I am happy!

I finally got my studio cleaned this week -- at least mostly! My smurf blue shag carpet makes it difficult to vacumn up every thread with my old upstairs vacumn cleaner. But then, who can work in a completely clean space anyway? I spent some time yesterday working on an idea for a new design. Actually it's a variation on a "gypsy cape" from Peasant Chic by Esther Holderness, 1977. I'm planning to add a few garments that are loose and flowing and work for all sizes and shapes of women.

Home At Last

Back in my studio at last and catching up with shipping for my eBay business. I really want to start a new weaving project but I forgot I left everything in such a mess! How can one be creative with all this stuff on the floor? I guess I'll clean first and maybe tomorrow I can start something new. I'm thinking about another chenille piece with surface design or maybe woven shibori which I haven't done in a long time. I have some of the green yarn left from the jacket I did in March. Have to see where the inspiration takes me.

Saying Goodbye Is So Hard To Do!

This morning is bitter-sweet. It's my last day in Pittsburgh. While here I've cooked copious amounts of food for the kid's freezer and held, fed, changed and bonded with Brendan. I know he smiled and cooed at me even if they think it was "gas"! I'm totally in love and sad I won't be able to see him again until this fall.

It's been a cold week here. Sunday we went to the Arboretum in spite of cold rain and high winds. The flowers were nice and Jenn did a trial run with the Baby Wolf Mai Tai baby carrier I gave her. We had Thai food at their favorite restaurant, Thai Cuisine. Check it out when you're in Pittsburgh!

The day we planned to visit the Fiber Arts International Festival, was the one day they were closed. Disappointing. I could use some new inspiration. But all in all, it's been a great week. Now I'm ready to get home to Carl, my routine, and my studio but sad to leave Corey, Jenn and Brendan.

Favorite Things . . .

Why does it seem the things I love the most are not in my city? -- specifically Trader Joes and IKEA. So I got my fix here in Pittsburgh. But really, it seems they're everywhere but Denver! What's up with that?

Leavin' on A Jet Plane -- Destination Pittsburgh

Listening to Someday by Carol Elizabeth Jones from O Sister 2: A Woman's Bluegrass Collection , on my laptop while I try to be reeeeally quiet so I don't wake the kids downstairs. I didn't hear the baby last night but I'm sure they were up feeding him so they need their z's.

I flew into Pittsburgh last evening to cold and rainy weather but I'm all warm inside after holding my new grandson for the first time. What a sweetie! Okay, I'm biased, but he really is the cutest baby I've ever seen. I watched as they bathed him together and of course took lots of pictures. What sweet parents they are!