Chaos in Action

A couple of years ago, I bought this top at a shop in Baton Rouge.

 I thought it was something I might want to try.  And, of course, never did.  I liked the primitive effect, the wrinkled applique, and the fact that I could make use of old tee shirts.

Later, I saw the much more elegant and sophisticated Alabama Chanin creations and fell in love again, pondered trying it on my own, even picked out an old tee shirt.  Then got distracted with all of my other interests and failed to pursue it.

I finally ordered one of her books.  It arrived on Wednesday and is full of beautiful pictures.


"To everything there is a season" and as I've discovered many times, what has been a peripheral idea or interest finally gets a spark.

 I used old tee shirt scraps to clean up after eco dyeing, and since Natalie Chanin's book was already open and causing my fingers to itch, I started to work.

A scrap that was stained and rusted from eco dye clean-up went into the hoop

I started it Wednesday night, and alternated working on this and the encrusted pieces, and the cleaning and re-organizing of the studio.

Spirals and couched spirals:

It is far from finished, but as I work on it, ideas flood my head.  I have a tee shirt that I plan to de-construct and do more experimenting on.

BTW, although I've done more looking at pictures than actual reading, I love Chanin's introduction to her book.  She has a companionable, down-to-earth voice, and she emphasizes the importance and value of the handwork in her pieces.   Her style is so elegant!

I've finished all the major work on re-vamping my studio.  Still a lot to do, but I have all my areas set up, each with appropriate tools.  Now, to do the refining.  Well, that will probably have to wait as B.E. will be here this afternoon to spend the weekend.

And maybe Fee will be home.  He's been gone all week.

Have a great weekend!