Grateful and Lush

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Tasha

A quick Me-Made-May ’15 wrap-up, plus some totally unrelated spring thoughts and photos …

Photo by Louisa Ballard

This shot of me teaching felting at Flag Wool is the closest thing I have to an outfit photo for the whole month of May! I decided not to worry about documentation for MMM this year, which was mostly a good choice, even though I felt a little more alone in my handmade-wearing. It was such a busy month in the best way, and I just didn’t need any other thing to try and do every day. Plus I felt like my best thoughts around a handmade wardrobe happened at the beginning/planning stage this year, and once I set it up I basically dressed like I normally would, except for the items I couldn’t wear because they didn’t fit my pledge, which were quarantined in the back of my closet. I fell back in love with one old me-made skirt. And discovered that while I may technically have enough me-made or me-repaired socks to make it through the month, I don’t have the will to keep on top of the laundry so that they’re always clean and ready to go … I also decided that any situation which calls for truly expendable work clothes doesn’t count. I was definitely looking forward the end of my self-imposed restrictions by the end of the month, although I enjoyed the challenge. I have a small wardrobe in any case, so maybe my goal for next year should be to add a few more me-made pieces. Also, I’m going to try harder to come up with some kind of documentation that works for me.

This May we traveled out to the Washington DC area for two art shows, and saw a bunch of friends, which has been part of our May plan for the last few years. But we were also home more than normal, including for the wool festival here, which was super fun. I had great students, and enjoyed the vendors (there was some totally beautiful handspun, among other things) and sheep as much as anyone. I also worked on writing & photographing two new articles for Seamwork while we were back—I can’t say much about them yet, except of course that I’m really excited! I can’t wait for you all to see them too.

Throughout all of this, I felt like I’d fallen into a pond of gratefulness. Our trip went well. Friends and family lent me their tools and knowledge at the exact time I need them. I had enough me-made/altered/repaired clothes to wear for a whole month. I was in the home I love, working and learning around things I’m passionate about. To top it all off, that home was not on fire, or anywhere close to it. We’ve had an unusually wet spring, and it’s mind blowing to think that just about this time last year our neighborhood was under evacuation orders from the Slide Fire. (It didn’t get that close in the end, but it was such a scary time). The forest is so lush right now. Well, lush for here, a little carpet of green grass and small yellow flowers under the pines. I tried to take a photo, but it just doesn’t look full of water and life unless you live here … but every time I look out the window I breathe a little sigh of relief.

Instead I’ll leave you with a few photos from earlier this spring, near Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. Spring anywhere out East still fascinates me, having grown up in a land where a little grass and extra flowers count as lush. More fiber stuff is on the way!

Me-Made-May’14 Thoughts and Drawings

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Tasha

Hello, all! I’ve been keeping up with my pledge for Me-Made-May’14; wearing, and drawing, and working on some sweater. You can see some of my sketches and sweater progress on Flickr. I think it’s fun to check out the whole MMM’14 group and see what everyone is wearing.

Also, in case you missed it, my thoughts for sewing/dressing in May were on ‘So, Zo …’ this past week! Along with a bunch of other people’s from around the world. One thing we mostly seem to agree on: spring is a time for layers, and a good pair of pants! Check it out …

Happy Sunday!

Just Photos—Spring in Texas

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Tasha

My dad’s mom and her sisters grew up in Texas. I remember a few bluebonnet-themed items decorating her house in Abuquerque, but when I was a kid I’d never been to Texas in spring, and I didn’t really get it (although I totally love the lupines that grow around Flagstaff. Coincidence?). Many of my second cousins and cousins once-removed still live here, and most, if not all of them, are willing to host us when we come through, which is truly a blessing of Texas-sized proportions (I’m joking about it, but I’m also truly and eternally grateful).

This year, we are here a few weeks earlier than in the past, and maybe it’s the time and exact place, or this may a good year for them, but the bluebonnets are out of control, and the paintbrushes seem epic. Driving between Houston and Austin, the roadsides were positively covered with rolling blankets of flowers. I mean, in profusion, like heaping mounds of cream-topped blueberries in the median and on the hills. The only problem was finding a place to stop where we wouldn’t be flattened by oncoming traffic. Finally I spotted a road that dead-ended beside the highway. We got off and parked there. Bluebonnets smell really good, too. And there were a LOT more of them at McKinney Falls State Park outside Austin, where we spent the night.

I didn’t realize until last year in the Smokies how much we kind of miss out on spring in Flagstaff. I’m not saying anything against my home town, and usually, I’ll take a few daffodils and some warmer weather and be perfectly happy. No need to do so in central Texas though, these guys have the bustin’-out-all-over, leafing trees in all shades of green, aforementioned brimming-over wildflowers kind of spring, which is exotic enough to me to make me want to pull over and take photos.

Happy spring ya’ll!