Friday, June 23, 2017

Embracing Uncertainty

That's the title of a book I'm reading right now -- written by Susan Jeffers, Ph.D., author of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, which I read a bazillion years ago...


I came across Embracing Uncertainty at a second hand book cafe when I was in Olds a week ago for a Fibre Week class.  Coming on the heels of my last post, the title seemed too appropriate to pass by...and so I brought it home with the coffee I bought for the road.


In the week since, I've continued to drift some, do some, make some, think some, sift some, sort some, work some...


The spinning class was a challenge; it focused on spinning fine yarn from tiny uncarded locks of wool -- from sheep bred for their delicate fleece.  No sturdy Shetland!  These were CVM, Merino and Sharlea locks!  Whoa!  And me, an inconsistent, out-of-practice spinner!  I'd had to empty 3 bobbins to take to the class, which forced me to practice a bit, and I was reasonably pleased with the results...

Lumpy, sturdy "character" yarn ;-)

But the demands of this class -- !!  (Photos of the results may or may not be posted at a later date!)

Still...I persisted, and actually enjoyed it enough to stay on a bit into the evening, buying some Falklands roving (a blend of wool from fine-fleeced breeds) to practice on at the Spin Social.  I came home later that night feeling tired but happy...and have practiced some almost every day since.

The next day was spent mainly outdoors, cleaning my eaves troughs (gutters), working in the yard and garden.  Completely physical; completely free of thought (or over-thought).

Sunday and Monday involved a trip to Calgary (after church and a good walk around the lake in Lacombe, complete with a fistful of photos for future minis), dinner out with a dear friend, and a trip to the dentist for a filling -- my first in almost 50 years.  Aaargh!  It went well (the most painful thing was holding my tiny jaw open for extended periods) but I hope it won't be repeated!

Tuesday...prepared and mailed a proposal to exhibit "MOB" in the Southern Alberta Art Gallery in 2018, and had a long, lovely lunch with another dear friend.

Wednesday...more lawn (mowing) and garden.

Yes, there was some knitting and spinning both days...and this is taking shape:

Pattern: Glasgow Rose Stole - Lucy Hague
Yarn: "Hannah's Summer" - 2-ply lace-weight silk
Fyberspates Yarn, UK - bought in Glasgow, 2007

God willing, I'll finish it in time to wear it to Scotland (including Glasgow) in September!

Thursday...my one day at The Shop this week.  This is the slow season, so I'm working only on Thursdays through the end of July.  Then we'll see what's needed.

So...today...I took up a piece -- one of a pair -- that I'd begun to map out in my mind a few years ago, and which is finally coming to fruition.  As they won't be traditional hangings, I've no idea where they'll be shown, but they're demanding to be made, so there you have it.

The pieces are "garments" -- robes, actually -- illustrating this text from Isaiah, which I've carried around in my head (as I've said) for years now:

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me*; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound...
...To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...  - Isaiah 61:1, 3a (King James version)
 *refers to Isaiah, and quoted by Jesus in the synagogue as he began his ministry.

Two garments...and I've begun with "the spirit of heaviness" (or mourning).

Remember my Tree Wrap Experiment?  Well...the fabrics have now been wrapped in vinegar water and "rusty bits", along with some wonderful recycled garden-bundled burlap (acquired from a chance encounter while visiting Stratford, Ontario in May 2016 for the opening of My Corner of the World).  I've cut them up and assembled a few into a kimono-like robe, which I am stitching by hand with #12 perle cotton in an off-white colour.

This afternoon I attached both sleeves...

Sleeve pinned to body

"Ladder" stitch

When the weather behaves, I will stitch in the Outdoor Studio, in silence but for the birds, the breezes and the neighbourhood...

...ushering in a peaceful summer.

Linking to Nina Marie's Off the Wall Friday...and wishing you a weekend full of Good Things!




3 comments:

Judy Warner said...

Glad you are 'doing' Margaret while you process. I love how the stole is turning out. Your robe sounds intriguing. I will picture you outside in your yard stitching. Have a great weekend.

Kate said...

Spinning, i keep thinking that I would like to try that, but other things keep grabbing my attention!
I love the yarn for your stole. Do a bit everyday and it will be finished in no time!
Your "robes" look intriguing. I look forward to progress reports.
I was in Calgary on Tuesday, but I only saw the inside of the airport.

Sha said...

I remember once flying up among the thunder clouds - while the storm raged below we coasted / floated past these towering columns of cloud - a very out of time space - not really here and not really there - just in the moment. That sounds like the space you are in - a place where, because we are not racing or fixated on doing xyz - we are open to hear what has been whispering to us. I look forward to seeing how the robes progress and the message they convey. Spending the summer coasting along surrounded by the magnificence of all that is , is a pretty good way to spend the time. Enjoy