I recently saw an article about botanical artists being a dyeing breed. I say "saw" because I skimmed it. It made me both sad, ache, & wonder all at once. But especially wonder because I've been so drawn to botanicals for most of my life. I paint them and I practice the ancient art of… Continue reading A Day with Glass Flowers
Dear lord, the role and faces this rug has taken on. For a few years I've been searching for just the right rug. But that was actually before children. And now that I've got two, I understand why I need to walk away from the most gorgeous wool yellow and peach oriental area rug I've… Continue reading Braided Rag Rug
My mom taught me cross stitch when I was 12. I no longer have that first little bunny sampler I did. But I do have every one I did after. I was 15 & started it while visiting my sister one summer in New Jersey. I was obsessed with tropical fish at that time in… Continue reading 27 Years of Cross Stitch
I knew this would be the sweetest feeling. To see my babies, hold them & smell them & notice how they'd changed in 2 weeks. I decided while I was away, 2 weeks was too long. And painful. But seriously, mom's need an f-ing break. A break from making decisions, care taking, and putting herself… Continue reading Home Coming
Just one more back strap weaving community. A famous wood carver. And the largest tree in the world. This is what our last full day was filled with. And speed bumps. All of the speed bumps. I'm not going to lie. By this day, I was exhausted. In so many ways. I missed my family… Continue reading One last adventure: day 13
Wandering in unknown places on my own or with just the right companion is one of my favorite things. Sam and I ventured out on the bus on our own into the city and thank goodness her Spanish is much better than mine. Exploring the market in the middle of the city was so gratifying.… Continue reading Oaxaca City : day 12
One more time at the market. One last day to finish this rug. One more ride through the village. My mom used to say I was burning my candle at both ends. Well, I do thrive to feel that fire coming from all directions. My rug just after it being cut off the loom. I… Continue reading Market Day and Finishing My Rug : Day 11
We've been at this dyeing and weaving thing for a while now. I live and breathe at the loom. I've never worked at a standing loom before, and my lower back took a toll everyday. I have to admit, as much as a serene, and total gift this whole experience was, there was still some… Continue reading Lichen and Indigo : day 10
This was such a special morning for me. One of the colors I was drawn to for my rug design was this warm bold orange. Demetrio uses a Usnea lichen for this that grows in ABUNDANCE up in the mountains not too far from where we were. It's a routine trek he takes up there… Continue reading Lichen Hike : day 9
I've used Brazilwood a few times recently but in powered form that I purchased from Fancy Tiger Crafts. The whole process went well and it felt extremely precious. Brazilwood is a hard wood and can only be found in southern countries. It's also a bit hard to come by. The pieces of wood Demetrio obtains… Continue reading Brazil Wood, Marigolds and the Village Market : day 8
