What if radiating inward can light a fire inside ?
Fragility, so often associated with the quality of being easily damaged or broken... well really I think I might redefine that, like I like to do. Definition is so context sensitive. I think there should be more conversation around what we really mean when we say things.
What if fragility was really just the evidence of wear and tear? The form that holding on takes? How about the state of becoming transparent?
I am so drawn to the threadbare and thin when it comes to cloth. Maybe I see strength, not weakness. These little nothings are my most cherished materials. They are teachers, they are useful and they never seem damaged or broken. I found this one on the floor on the way to bed last night. I have used the cloth before, silk, this must have been a leftover. One side had a selvedge so I was encouraged to stitch it down and deal with the fray later.
I love everything you said and explained in this post. Thank you for being here. I am facing the fraying of a long term relationship too. How your words and images are so meaningful right now. So grateful for this place you’ve created.
I thought how funny… fraying as falling apart but then, fringe, my symbol for continuing. Love to you.
Agree with the idea of strength. Signs of wear and tear reflect survival and stories.
sounds funny but in some ways it’ s easier to fall apart…
Yep, sometimes there’s comfort in letting things go, even ourselves, and in the strength and goodness of mending and going on. 💜
Such good points Hazel and Jude. I’ve had my share of both falling apart and pulling self back together recently. (((hugs)))
It seems a kind of swing, yes…
Your scrap of silk mirrors us. We have a strong side but there is also a fragile emotional side too.
Maybe we should keep an eye on our selvedge (derived from self edge)
Your ability to navigate the complexities of life with such grace and clarity is truly remarkable, inspiring all who have the privilege to encounter your musings.
Well the bitch is behind the scenes…most of the time…😂 but thank you.
Yin and yang – complimentary forces <3
Yeah, like that…
I almost have no words (almost 😊) for how this piece is resonating with my spirit … aging brings its share of challenges, fragilities if you will … but there is a beautiful strength and grace-fullness that continues to unfold and become more and more lovely.
Agree 💓!
I am so curious about aging, I think that keeps me going.
Beautiful tree with light within, so happy it is radiating out! I recently started weaving with torn cloth . . . not rigid weaving like a rag rug, but free form weaving, putting cloth into a lattice with no rules . . . I love that the torn edges are so expressive. You’ve made something perfect for today with this torn scrap. A lovely thing for me to wake up to . . . thanks, Jude! Take good care!
Weaving is welling up in me again…
Oh how hard those silkworms labor. The result: delicate yet durable delights.
It’s amazing really.
An African elder I knew used to say to watch out for becoming too comfortable as the struggle is where we grow. Too much ease might not serve, but too much, man, I can say from experience of my last 5 years, it can wear you out. However, maybe a bit like the see-through silk, I may be battered, but in many ways I’m stronger, too.
I was noticing what looks like inlaid triangles on your table and how they are talking to the triangles in the cloth and that made me smile. I doodle triangles in patterns all the time.
Good gathering to you.
I suppose it the balance between the two we can settle into, still so many dedicate themselves to the easy way out. there is always rest, we need that especially in this older age. I even struggle with sleep, oh ha!
it’s a small wooden chest from Indonesia and it is , at this point filled with silk scrap. out on the porch. perhaps it influenced me without me knowing.
💕🌸love this words 🌻
It’s such a common thing to be influenced in our making without even realizing it. Students used to come in to class, put their work from the day before or the last night’s late cramming, wearing clothes that matched their designs. When I pointed it out they would always laugh 🙂
I’m laughing…
Valerianna & Jude~ I had these two thoughts as well…the triangles behind and when there is so much struggle…
On the other had, I can’t really shirk that part, it IS life after all.
Jude, I love the inner radiation (ha – the connection that just came from that phrase. heehee) for its blending points, spaced out points, tall points. This photo today really showed those to me. And the addition of the new blue behind really pulled my vision in. Wonderful.
it was so plain and hanging there for so long, suddenly it came to life, maybe because I needed it to.
Nancy, indeed, life is life, but some of us have had our share of hard lately and it sure would be nice to have ease!! And I bet that ease, when it comes, will be greatly appreciated which is different as it is a relief rather than an easy way out, I think. 🤷🏻♀️ 🧡
Totally agree Valerianna! I would happily welcome, treasure the ease of relief.
“Talents are best nurtured in solitude;
Character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world” ~ Goethe
Radiating inward mirrored by your lovely inlaid table. It’s interesting how different the radiating inward stitching feels than the outward. I guess that is also true in life though.
yes, really, the form is so changed…even stitching it feels different.
Beautiful image
Melanie’s “Candles in the Rain ” comes up…
🙏
Now that brings back memories…
Gosh I haven’t heard this song in years! Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Reminds me of the Velveteen Bunny. Bunny was so loved that he had his hair loved off. He was no less comforting, useful, or loved as he evolved into this state of being close to transparency.
yes! I had a velveteen rabbit quote on my blog when I began back in 2006! Exactly!
such a beautiful piece to express what is so profoundly true, with cloth and in life. thank you
we are still here!
I see a candle burning brightly…maybe leading the way for you! Sending good thoughts your way💞🦋
I was just out shopping and candle popped into my mind, yes! a tall standing fire….
I love this piece Jude <3
The tiny scraps of fabric and paper are my treasured items as well. I resonate with your tree shapes and this one is wonderful. I love the contrast of the pastel colors with the black and white.
Raining here today which is welcome for my budding peonies.
I am glad you mentioned paper here because I have been considering all the paper scraps here differently lately. We had just enough rain here last night to kick the green up a notch.
I love how you have used the couching stitch to save the long string, making it into the form that integrates and connects the stray. The tree would not be the same without it.
I think of a flag……..a tree-as-« flag ship » leading the way out of the fog into the light of day . Your sense of vision never ceases to amaze me. The tree has now become yet another symbol, never static, ever leading to newness/renewal……and hope..
Thank you for this today.
Valerie O
oh, loving the flagship thing! see? we need many eyes!
Always, your search for meaning in cloth work is very inspiring!
maybe the need to give purpose to what we do is useful in itself…
. “ I think there should be more conversation around what we really mean when we say things.”
I will be thinking about this …….
I am grateful (always) to see , read , hear from you Jude .
Hey!
Love this piece. The little piece of silk…lost, and found, still strong… then becoming even more… in the new….
I like what you said about fragility. The wear and tear, still strong and becoming transparent.
We love you, Jude.💞
love you all really…
Duality in silk as in Life.
Tattered and torn, still strong.
Beautiful, Jude!🩷
xoxo
I am in a silk mood
Until making a quilt with silk I never knew it was so strong! I’m not afraid to use it anymore. Love the frayed edge of your silk piece. 💙🕊️
right? I always had that fear of it, until I got to know it…
👍🏻💙silk
Silk, strong but fragile seeming. I am thinking about parachutes originally being made with silk… Lots of food for thought here this morning. 🙂
yeah, silk is amazing, even how it is made…
You made something so cool out of a forgotten little scrap-guy. Luv it! Good to hear your voice.
it is always a good feeling…
Evidence of still being there. 💞
what if everything is always there for having been there?
Love this piece XXX
Wishing you the very best Jude, take care
thank you…
working with what there is.
and really, this little scrap was almost a memory…
I love this
I am happy that it is becoming…