There is intense bereavement. Numbness…
This week solace began through some slow stitch. A calming ryhthm again – if heard so quietly, less than a whisper.. but a felt sensation
These little birds are nesting in the eaves under the roof again.
The frame is the winding thread that wraps the tibetan incense we burn, the fracture where the thread does not quite meet barely glimpsed but highlighted here.
Between moons many things happen… my best beloved burmese passed away between these last 2. I stitch.. rhythmic, repetitive, flow of concentration, absorbing my mind, allowing for some much needed inner space.
The yellow thread was stitched blindfold – of which more some other time… and a thank you to Vicky for the silk and indigo moons..
I just mentioned this image on the Brunel Broderers blog
Rich dialogue as usual between us whilst working – this was what I was stitching
Kay mentions our meeting on her own blog – here
One of the topics was about artist’s pre-occupations, fascinations – when did these begin, was it in childhood or beyond, and what connections do we make and notice?
I have been sorting out my studio and delving into collections, sketchbooks, samples and found a photo I took a few years ago which reminded me of my recent kantha work…
Thinking about my range of chosen stitches and their part in my stitching language – the meanings each have for me.
These will form part of an Exhibition at Nature in Art with the Brunel Broderers in August this year.
I searched back through for this post about a beautiful quilt I have – patched and pieced
It lies nowadays draped over my making table with the creamy white backing face upwards, and I often glance down and rest my eyes on the hand stitching and think
The sun shone through it’s fragile layers this week – areas are disintegrating and revealing the inside and the softness and melting colours were so restful
It could stay folded quietly away, but I love it’s ageing qualities – out of sight would I really be caring for it more?! I prefer to keep it with me, alongside me..
The white thread patterns texture the surface – stitches as strong as ever – the even rhythm of their work is quietly astonishing to me and connects me to so many stitching hands – I linger as I Iook, wondering about it’s making
It had an outing this last summer when family children were all camping in a yurt nearby and I thought why not?! I wonder if they will remember it in years to come…It came back smelling faintly of woodsmoke from the wood burner..
Withies looking like stitches in the landscape!
Cloth drying on the line – prayer flags in my thoughts – looking through the cloth and dreaming of the tea and turmeric drifting into the atmosphere..
Table laid, piece in progress
Catching thread thoughts and fragments
Pinned gently to allow for movement, shadow and spaces to breathe!
Over the course of the week I thought about what each choice of stitch reflects – what iconography.
A stormy day again … Â are the birds safe I wonder? The snowdrops are dancing madly in the wind…
Valentines Day was traditionally called ‘the birds wedding day’ but ooh, I do hope ours are tucked away and I have great concern for people out in the cold and wet or without home or heat.
Paper hearts, paper thin  – fragile and strong – linked.. joined they are stronger… the threads stitched as kisses throughout their centres. As a child I used to spend hours cutting chains of paper dolls especially when ill in bed – they scattered across the eiderdown – and this unfolded into my mind at a recent workshop – have a read of this Heart Space post for explanation and this Heart Space one too! Janet Haigh‘s mention of the strength of repetition made me reflect, as did her suggestion and reference to the cross stitches as tiny kisses…
The sound of the needle piercing the paper and the thread running through – the trailing threads suspended in the air – reaching out, the tell tale elements of my practice make the work flow… There are links to this – threads and for hearts here and again here and audio pieces here and here and also a further couple of posts here and here!
And so, I have been making, and woke with a special sense of anticipation – to film my offering to the birds, fluttering paper stitched hearts beating in the storm – confetti but joined – chains linked create a strength in this world
Hearts and rhythms are a theme in my practice too, and so a workshop captures something renewed in paper cutting, and connections in threads stitch sounds and more…
Susi Bancroft Paper heart chain from Susi Bancroft on Vimeo. The film definition is better quality on the vimeo link!!!!
My needle-case – kantha stitched over a couple of days whist unwell and needing to re-centre through the rhythm of stitch a few years back! The threads are from the Hand Weavers Studio
a delicate rhythm 4 from Susi Bancroft on Vimeo.
In memory of my Aunt – Rosemary
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
(traditional gaelic blessing)
A prayer flag – https://boostitch.wordpress.com/reviews/
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