In my mind a did a blog post just about a month or so ago... in reality it was 8 months ago, and here we are with just a few weeks left in 2019. So, with that realization, I figured it was definitely time to do one last blog post before the new year.
While I've made a couple of quilts between my last post and this one, (both of which can be found on my Instagram feed, I thought I'd share with you what I've been most recently stitching.
Small stitched works visually inspired from the local worn and weathered barns that I photograph on my phone as I go from here to there, in Northern Lancaster County and surrounding areas, such as these two...
Each was stitched while contemplating that, (and those) which are rejected, discarded, abandoned, deemed unworthy... But which deserve love, respect, honor, dignity, and understanding. I also pulled from personal memories of rejection, as well as reflecting on the Amish practice found here in Lancaster County of shunning those in the family that choose to forge a different path. And from those contemplations, all I can say is this...
We all have faced rejection and we have all been the one that rejected. We have all been judged, and we have all judged. We have all had love withheld, and we have all withheld love. That alone should give us compassion. Everyone is broken to some degree, and everyone is in need of some tender mercy.
Having said that, (and warning... I'm about to go political here) I admit I'd find it hard to give that mercy to some... including the person who now occupies the White House. However, should he ever grow a heart, or at least a moral compass and truly ask for forgiveness, then that is what I hope I would do. Until then, I hope his is a one term presidency, or better yet, a less than one term.
Below are the 8 pieces I've stitched so far in what I am calling my "Shunned" series. I may finish with one more, or keep going. Don't yet know.
The photos were all taken in various natural light and aren't the best, so have a bit of mercy for them.
While I've made a couple of quilts between my last post and this one, (both of which can be found on my Instagram feed, I thought I'd share with you what I've been most recently stitching.
Small stitched works visually inspired from the local worn and weathered barns that I photograph on my phone as I go from here to there, in Northern Lancaster County and surrounding areas, such as these two...
Each was stitched while contemplating that, (and those) which are rejected, discarded, abandoned, deemed unworthy... But which deserve love, respect, honor, dignity, and understanding. I also pulled from personal memories of rejection, as well as reflecting on the Amish practice found here in Lancaster County of shunning those in the family that choose to forge a different path. And from those contemplations, all I can say is this...
We all have faced rejection and we have all been the one that rejected. We have all been judged, and we have all judged. We have all had love withheld, and we have all withheld love. That alone should give us compassion. Everyone is broken to some degree, and everyone is in need of some tender mercy.
Having said that, (and warning... I'm about to go political here) I admit I'd find it hard to give that mercy to some... including the person who now occupies the White House. However, should he ever grow a heart, or at least a moral compass and truly ask for forgiveness, then that is what I hope I would do. Until then, I hope his is a one term presidency, or better yet, a less than one term.
Below are the 8 pieces I've stitched so far in what I am calling my "Shunned" series. I may finish with one more, or keep going. Don't yet know.
The photos were all taken in various natural light and aren't the best, so have a bit of mercy for them.
"Fragile"
Stained and scorched vintage grain sack fabrics and bits of vintage book cloth.
Machine and hand stitched.
7" x 4.5"
"Fragile"
"Broken"
Stained and scorched vintage grain sack fabrics and bits of vintage book cloth.
Machine and hand stitched.
3" x 3"
"Broken"
"Hidden"
Stained and scorched vintage grain sack fabrics and bits of vintage book cloth.
Machine and hand stitched.
5.75" x 5"
"Labeled"
Stained and scorched vintage grain sack fabrics and bits of vintage book cloth.
Machine and hand stitched.
7.5" x 6"
"Labeled"
Stained and scorched vintage grain sack fabrics and bits of vintage book cloth.
Machine and hand stitched.
7.5" x 6"
"Exiled"
Stained and scorched vintage grain sack fabrics and bits of vintage book cloth.
Machine and hand stitched.
6.25" x 5.25"
"Exiled"
"Discarded"
Stained and scorched vintage grain sack fabrics and bits of vintage book cloth.
Machine and hand stitched.
8.5" x 4.25"
"Discarded"
"Homeless"
Stained and scorched vintage grain sack fabrics and bits of vintage book cloth.
Machine and hand stitched.
5" x 5.25"
"Omitted"
"Homeless"
Stained and scorched vintage grain sack fabrics and bits of vintage book cloth.
Machine and hand stitched.
5.5" x 5.75"
~~~~~~
Wishing you all the best for the New Year.
xo
Stained and scorched vintage grain sack fabrics and bits of vintage book cloth.
Machine and hand stitched.
5.5" x 5.75"
~~~~~~
Wishing you all the best for the New Year.
xo
10 comments:
thank you very much for sharing your work and your insights,i love your work and the stories behind it.
Beautiful work with personality!
Myrto
these are fantastic. i love the barns as the inspiration for the series - love them myself and on your ig feed, too. the larger idea of being shunned or judged seems to appropriate in our culture right now. the questions of who belongs and for what reason? what are we saying we value? very thought-provoking and timely - also beautifully done.
I love these pieces - thank you for showing them.
Have a wonderful new year xo
Such a lovely surprise to see your post come up! Glorious little pieces, each one a delight with the stitching, the size and the addition of the tiny pops of colour, I love them!! Thank you for sharing them with us.
Thank you for sharing - love these little pieces.
Love them all!
And yes, we shall forgive when the sinner shows contrition and purpose to amend. The contrition, on the other hand, should be as deep as the sin committed.
Merry Christmas and a Happy 2020!
Thank you for sharing... I always gain something from your posts and work. "Labeled" really jumped out at me from the group. Here's to new paths and progress in the new year!
I love your little pieces--they "speak" to all of us. Keep up the good work.
I just love your work ! It inspires me so much. Thank you for sharing.
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