It turns out all the work I did yesterday wasn’t for nothing. It was just the warmup. A way of getting my creative brain clicking again.
This morning as I was walking in the woods, the idea just popped into my head. I suddenly knew what the problem was with the Potholders I was trying to make.
I was focusing them around dogs and they needed a person.
When I got to my studio I knew just want I wanted to do. I got a square of muslin and put a polka dot piece of fabric behind it.
Then I started sewing.
My first idea was the girl sitting under the mushroom. I could have made them all with mushrooms, they are so much fun to create.
But after two mushrooms I got another idea.
I thought of the snails I see all the time on a blade of grass. I took a picture of one just a few weeks ago.
This one has a blue patterned fabric behind it. Although it’s hard to see in this photo, its just enough to give the muslin some texture.
The wildflowers came next. My first one was a girl meditating under a trout lily. The one above was my last Potholder of the day, with the girl meditating under dandelions.
It took the whole day, with time out for lunch and feeding the animals, but I was able to stitch ten Potholders.
It was pure joy.
I immediately saw you meditating in your walks in the woods
That is where it came from Chris. It seems obvious to me now, but it took a lot for me to get there! :)
I’m captivated by the repeating pattern of the arms and legs. As a design element I found it compelling and kept returning to it. I appreciate the art in the rest of the potholders but those arms and legs got to me!
I took the arms from the ancient goddesses Lois. That’s a position they are in many of the early sculptures and drawings. The legs do mimic them. I’m so glad you pointed that part of it out Lois. By the time I got the “drawing” of it down on my sewing machine, I really enjoyed the rhythm of the lines. And while I stitched them, I imagined the actual legs, feet, arms and hands as if I were tracing my own body in my mind to create them.
so charming… and i bet your yoga sisters would love them too. i can feel the joy. and peace. congratulations on another wonderful creation.
THank Nan!
I love the look on her (your?) face. These potholders make me smile.
Ah, that’s good Sandy. Sometimes those little details are hard to get right. And they do need to convey the right emotion. It sounds like they do. :)
These are spectacular. Brought a smile to my heart.
Thanks Barb. :)