When I have a "Ta-Dah!" moment, meaning that I've sketched or painted or sewed something, the first person who sees it is my dear friend Sandy. I send her images long before I add an item to my website or enter a show in a gallery. The email subject is always, "Show & Tell!"
Despite being lucky enough to have many supportive people in my life, Sandy is the person I trust when I'm most vulnerable; before I've even determined if the item created is "good" or not.
It's telling that in the years I've known her, I've never heard Sandy say the word, "hate", even when she's talking about dried cranberries! The strongest phrase she uses for disliking something is, "I don't care for that". Imagine how lucky I am to have a person like that seeing my work BEFORE I release it into the wide, angry world!
Her entire family understands the meaning of handmade. They know the time it takes, the skills involved, and the love that makes it all happen. I've found knitting patterns from years ago with sticky notes, telling myself to make something for Sandy's daughter, who now has little ones of her own!
I've been on a kick lately; using Selvages (which are the edges of printed fabric that are woven more tightly, so aren't typically used in quilting) to make potholders and pillows. For many years, quilting friends have donated their selvages to me, knowing my love for "zero waste" sewing. If a piece of fabric is too narrow to sew a seam, it's used as filling for beds for elderly cats at the local SPCA.
The inspiration for the pillow came from a TV show from the early 2000s. One of the sets was decorated in "Shabby Chic" and the couch had a pillow that I wanted to attempt to make from selvages. Here is a photo of the pillow I made:
Sandy's reaction was what I had hoped for. She said it was adorable and loved the idea of using scraps. "Things can be repurposed if you have an imagination", she said. She is the best cheering section an artist can have!
I'm planning on making more of these pillows, hoping to donate them to my local library for their annual Silent Auction Fundraiser. There's still time, as the auction is usually in November. Mind you, I still have piles of selvages to iron first!!!
Thank you for spending this time with me,
Lori xx
P.S. Since this is my "Show & Tell" blog, here is a recent sketch using Liquid Charcoal. It's my interpretation of a scene in the Cotswolds, England. (Although I'm not able to visit, my brushes "travel" there often!) xx
