commitments

well, here we are – day 3 of a bright, shiny new year

actually it is wet and windy – but one thing we can rely on is changeable weather

the question is – what am I going to do with the next 362 days

there is always cleaning, cooking, shopping and laundry but who wants to think about that

will I do another monthly textile challenge?

had to think very long and hard about committing to a fifth year

and finally – yes – 12 months of natural dyes, on cotton, wool and silk

getting organized winding skeins – cotton, which needs an extra tannin step in the mordanting

fine 2 ply commercial Merino and handspun silk, still unwound

and there is a mystery skein of rough handspun silk/flax blend – (I think) dyeing may tell me more

and

 a totally non-fibre commitment for the year, organize and label generations of family photos

at a certain age you realize that if it doesn’t get done the kids and grands won’t know names and places

so, to start, I made 2 dozen envelopes from a roll of newsprint that has been used over the years

for grand kids drawings, stamped and painted Christmas wrapping

  even unsuccessfully rolled between layers of warp on the back beam, it tore too easily

the start, the tip of the ice berg

a trip down memory lane, 4 generations of weddings

my Mom’s and my nursing graduation pictures

newborns and great grannies

this is going to take awhile and a few tears

it is all James’ fault, he wanted a picture of his childhood family dog

I’m determined, it’s time