August ramblings
hard to believe – it’s August 10th – I’ve been missing from these pages
but, life has been busy
another day in Beacon Hill Park – this time with my friend Mary
this border is spectacular – (think she is swearing at me, she doesn’t like her picture taken!)
the planning for colours, the repeat pattern and the variety of plants is impressive
an area that includes formal gardens, grassland, ponds and lakes, mature forest – and the petting zoo!
it is meticulously maintained
open and free to everyone including the peacocks, ducks, turtles, nesting eagles and blue herons
locals and tourists, kids and dogs
and of course flocks of Canada geese
it is the perfect place to spend a few hours and a photographer’s delight
there are greenhouses and a plant nursery tucked away in one corner
even a cricket pitch and clubhouse
love the shape of these leaves – could they make a tapestry design?
and finally a tapestry is finished
the sun is shining on all the loose ends – still a few hours of work to do
the back with the ends stitched in and trimmed
woven with handspun wool, cotton and silk, colours are all natural dyes
measures 7″ X 7″ (17.8 X17.8 cm)
my first attempt at a Kirsten Glasbrook style tapestry collage
Japan – bamboo, a Noh mask, ginkgo leaf
and the kanji kokoro – literally translated as heart
but with many subtle meanings – mind, spirit, love, desire
Alex Kerr writes in Another Kyoto
“Because it carries with it so many levels of history, each kanji is surrounded by a radiating rainbow of meanings. It stands for something that is larger than just a normal word.”
no wonder gaijin (foreigners) struggle with the nuance of language and interpretations
Wow–you are progressing so quickly and well with the tapestry weaving! A lovely post . . .
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Kerry – thank you, I enjoy the slow pace of tapestry weaving and the use of many colours in one piece.
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There was something energetic and organic about the back with all the loose ends, like the root system of something. But the front is very lovely, much like that wonderful garden. I especially love the border with Mary in front of it, and the sculptural leaves of the ricinus.
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Kate – a person has to be energetic to deal with all those loose ends. Mary’s border is spectacular this year and thank you for the ricinus name, I was too lazy to look it up.
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Ricinus communis, the caster oil plant. It’s beautiful, but poisonous. Love the bronze/ pink/ green shades blending
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Kate – thanks, I remembered the caster bean plant but not the botanical name. Should have remembered ricin, one of the most deadly natural poisons known to man. I try to study up on poisonous plants so as not to use any when natural dyeing, you never know – even the steam when simmering them can cause harm.
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that was “gorgeous” – should have checked spelling before I submitted lol
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Claire – all spelling mistakes humbly forgiven – I know the problem, my fingers work faster than my brain. Mary and I have been friends and at one time next door neighbors for 20+ years, comfortable to spend time together.
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a gprgepis tapestry, and thanks for letting us join you on your walk with Mary ^^
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