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a fist full of sky

9/11/2018

 
Picture
Daylily cordage--
​ a restful break from weaving tapestry--
Picture
a brief and low-key
period of exploration
into materials,
elemental processes
and direct tactile engagement--
Picture
daylily and iris leaf cordage
all of which
is a pseudo-artistic, 
vaguely academic, 

and grown-up
​ way of describing
my  visceral response
to glimpses of  cordage 
on the internet--
Picture
​a response so strong
that each time I saw one of 
Alice Fox's cordage-wrapped sticks

I felt the power
​of the
 girl I once was--
Picture
a girl who knew that there was a way
to transform fistfuls of dead leaves​
into houses for fairies--
Picture

and magic carpets,
Picture
The Promise of Rain; Hand Woven Tapestry; daylily and iris leaves, hand spun flax; indigo; black walnut dye; 7" x 7";
and potions for flight--
Picture
if only she understood
exactly
​ how it was to be done.
Picture
What joy, then--
Picture
Fist Full of Sky; Hand Woven Tapestry; Iris, Daylily and Narcissus leaves; kami-ito; hand spun flax; 7 1/4" x 8 1/8"
to learn --
Picture

or maybe just to notice--
Picture
that the knowledge is right here.
Picture
Little Pink House; Hand Woven Tapestry; daylily, iris and narcissus leaves; corn husk; cotton; spindle spun wool and flax; natural dye; 9" x 7"
What I clearly don't know --
and perhaps never will--
is where bits of idle curiosity will lead. ​
Picture
Or, indeed,
what on earth I am going to write

when I start these blog posts.
Velma Bolyard link
9/11/2018 11:39:45 am

Oh, my, sky and houses meeting rich earth...

Kate
9/11/2018 12:23:54 pm

Sarah, have you previously discussed how to turn the leaves into cordage? How /how much suppleness is needed / retained? Looks like sorcery to me...

Patti Kirch
9/11/2018 01:11:38 pm

I love how you Looook and Listen to your fibers repeatedly as your hands orchestrate theiryour storyimage, and the cloth lives happily ever after.... until...

Nancy Kramer
9/13/2018 05:27:12 am

Beautifully poetic.

Jillayne link
9/14/2018 07:21:56 am

Your weavings with the cordage you've made are so beautiful, and so very inspiring, each one so beautiful in it's simplicity. When I read you did this with iris and daylily leaves, my heart actually skipped a beat - I don't have a great variety of flowers in my garden but I happen to have both of these and now I know exactly what I'm going to play with when I'm off tomorrow.
I've only recently discovered your blog - it's a beautiful place to visit.

Linda Watson
9/14/2018 12:44:16 pm

Many, many years ago, my husband and I would wander in the desert on weekends, our escape from jobs and suburbia. I was often sidetracked by gathering shedded yucca leaves, or just bits of "stuff," I would shape these bits into baskets, using a cactus thorn as needle. You've reminded me of those days, and that younger me. Thank you.

Annette
9/14/2018 12:57:09 pm

Dear Sarah. All of this has such beauty it brings tears to my eyes. The words, the pictures, the strenght of your desire to create.... The tapestries are absolutely stunning..... So much to behold in one blogpost......

Lee M
9/15/2018 07:01:28 am

Beautiful! I love the different textures.
And inspirational as daylilies wait in my back garden...

Elizabeth s
9/18/2018 01:16:05 pm

Beautiful and now i have to wait for the end of summer here, to play. Love your basket also. Linda comment reminds me of the summer days, down the beach, when you were allowed to pick the grasses, and weaving them in to little baskets.

elaine
9/18/2018 01:38:37 pm

Love it! You are so very inspiring ~

Trish at Tangled Threads
9/18/2018 02:40:02 pm

Your 4 selvedge technique is so perfect for these, because, really, what would you do with all those warp ends? And what perfect and evocative little creations. Thanks!

Pru Bovee
9/18/2018 02:43:46 pm

Swearah, that's a PARTICULARLY delicious post! From way over here I'm clapping as fast as I can!

Sarah
9/26/2018 01:08:07 pm

??❤️

Linda H
9/18/2018 02:45:27 pm

The black needle is lovely. Where can I find one? Your work is stunning!

Therese Swift-Hahn
9/18/2018 05:24:33 pm

mmmmmmmmmmm......mmmmmm.....mmmm !!!!

Linda Healey
9/18/2018 06:09:45 pm

I loved”I felt the power of the girl I once was...” —right to the heart.

Jennifer Edwards link
9/18/2018 06:16:17 pm

You are the coolest !! What magic it must be to spin leaves and irises and then to weave with them. And the way you write about it all...so inspiring!

Sarah
9/26/2018 01:07:37 pm

Thank you Jennifer! The fibers are just so cool that they do most of hte work...

Barbara l. Nelson
9/19/2018 01:33:05 am

How do you make the cordage? Very inspiring.

Maggie H
9/19/2018 06:05:10 am

I'm with Linda H. Where can we get those beautiful black needles? And, what's it make of? Thank you. For your skills and your generosity!

Deborah Pawle
9/19/2018 06:26:42 am

Love this whole post, I use leaves and bark in my weaving sometimes, very messy, for some reason never thought of making it in to cordage or weaving with long leaves Duh.

Barbara Heller link
9/19/2018 07:41:52 am

How wonderful Sarah. You always open my eyes to new miracles in the world. Then I can look more closely when I go for a walk and collect small treasures. Thank you.

Eileen
9/22/2018 01:56:30 pm

Sarah - lovely idea. I use iris and day lily leaves for weaving into baskets. A tapestry is a wonderful idea. I love the little houses and the rich colors of the leaves. They will change over time too, so a tapestry that moves with time. Question: Do you weave with the cordage moistened, or dried?


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    ​Sarah C Swett 
    tells stories
    with
    ​ and about

     hand spun yarn. 


    Picture
    Click for info on
    my four selvedge
    warping class
    with
    ​ Rebecca Mezoff  
    fringeless


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