control or chaos
I like to think of myself as a reformed “control freak”
it’s not always easy and weavers need control
I find the magazine “Cloth Paper Scissors” endlessly fascinating. It features mixed media artists
on my list of things to try – some day – is making art cards and today seemed as good a day as any
I started with scraps, handwoven, dyed, stamped etc. and ironed them onto double-sided interfacing
machine stitching held them down
I used up all those small machine bobbins of strange colours
and used strips of rags torn to use in rag weaving
the piece measures 19″ x 21′ and I plan to cut it into 20 post cards 6″x4″. When working with larger stitched pieces I’m always thinking about balance in shapes, colours and spaces. I have to keep reminding myself that this is going to be cut up and each small piece has to stand alone.
using a roller wrapped with string and fabric dyes I added another layer.
the birds were printed with Indian woodblock stamps. I’m hoping they don’t lose their heads when the cards are cut.
more work to do, more layers to add.
onesmallstitch.wordpress.com 
I like what you are doing! It looks like fun. I have accumulated a box of materials for collage, been carrying it around for years. I should get it out and just play.
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Heather – I’ enjoying the play and after all they are just post cards. Think I need more play and less control.
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control is a lovely fantasy-or a bad habit-but really it is a chimera.
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Velma – I’ve never heard it described that way but it is absolutely perfect. A little control is necessary, too much in others makes me nervous and I dislike it in myself.
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haha! reformed control freak. if weavers need control i’ve just learned why some things don’t work in my studio 😦
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well – only partially reformed and of course it depends on where I started from!!
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Jean: so fascinating.
More than a ‘control freak’ you seem to me an I-want-to try-them-all freak!
I stopped my subscription to “Cloth Paper Scissors” after a couple of years, there was so much I wanted to try, had not much time then and the magazines kept accumulating unused.
What you did is an absolute wonder.
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I need another lifetime to try everything. I enjoy combining different techniques and there are always new/different interesting materials. I think it keeps the work fresh and interesting when you are constantly asking “what if?”
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