OA midsummer - Long days, warm nights

Since my last update:

• I made 2 more quilty books, using Coptic Binding techniques, fabric scraps and salvaged paper. I gave the first one away as a gift, and the second one is a journal for me. But I've been collecting a lot of paper materials so I want to make more books soon, and may even have some available in the near future!
• I finished a quilt that's been in progress for a long long time, several years I think. Made from samples from Oregon's own famous Pendleton woolen mills, this quilt is stitched entirely by hand and it's so warm and cozy. Just in time to put away until winter comes back around haha!
• I played around with homegrown dye plants on salvaged cotton and got 4 colors that I'm now dreaming up a quilt for.
• I made a dress for myself by tracing a pre-exiting dress and it worked much better than I expected. While I still don't really understand how to read sewing patterns, I feel much less intimidated by garment making in general.

What I’m working on:

• A semi matchy matchy modular quilt project for lovers. The idea is still simmering as I begin cutting fabric but if this actually works I'll be so delighted.
• Sewing more clothes soon I hope.
• Some small samples of a couple different quilt methods that I might want to teach to folks soon.
• Walking more, I did over 150 miles in the last 4 weeks and it feels really good to turn my attention more toward the outdoor green and less toward the screen.

What I’m enjoying:

• Noticing: Petticoats are just petals for your legs.
• Reading: The Mushroom at the End of the World: The Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing; Getting to Center by Cody Cook-Parrott.
• Listening: Weightless by Marconi Union. This "most relaxing song in the world" was written specifically to reduce anxiety, blood pressure and heart rate and has been shown in at least one study to be as effective as pharmaceutical sedatives. I listened to it on repeat during a recent dental procedure, although they gave me drugs as well so I can't know for sure if it relaxed me.
• Tasting: I made orange blossom honey semifreddo with pistachio baklava crumble and I didn't know anything could be so fluffy and creamy and also frozen.

Where to find me / how to support:

• Come hang out with me this Saturday at the Heist on Woodstock from 2-4pm, bring a project (anything) and/or a friend and come create in community with other crafty folks. We will also have an informal discussion about getting color from fresh leaf indigo.
• Being a subscriber to this newsletter is enough! Feel free to forward it to a friend. You can also like and share my social media posts, although they are dwindling.
• Subscribe to my blog.
• Reply to this email if you’re interested in commissioning something quilty.
• Buy art for yourself or someone you love!
• Shop my small collection of project bags at Fiber Rhythm shop in SE PDX (in store only).
• Buy me a cup of tea.