Highs to Lows

A week ago I was riding past the heights of San Juan mountains in the southwest of Colorado, this week it's the lows of a sink to drain soda-soaked fabric. It all is part of the work. Travel, teach, regroup.

Foolin with Indigo

Half of the day at the Schweinfurth wet-studio was spent experimenting with indigo. I'm a printer comfortable with MX or Procion dyes, not natural pigments. I've not gotten the hang of this process, that would take years. But the results are of interest, let's say.

Bits of Plants

Our fiber group here took over the Schweinfurth's wet studio to try some eco printing and indigo printing. I could get into this plant-gathering and flinging-about practice. I've got some cotton and silk that are bundled and will have to wait a couple of weeks for the reveal.

Shoe's On the Other Foot

Such grumbling I get from those who put together items on the class materials list the night before class. Well, now it's my turn to find, gather, pile up. Tomorrow is a "play day" where we will experiment with eco dying and indigo printing. I'm almost ready.

Sturgeon Moon

This almost full moon was taken when I left Phoenix on Monday night. This vast land, holding its mark from humankind from city to town, from ancient to modern, was always lit by the moon. It was a lovely ride, and sure enough, this moon has followed me home.

How Large Can You Cut?

Pam (at the Durango class) is cutting into her piece, using one of my prints plus a commercial stripe. We all loved the narrow color pallet and simple design. The key here is that with a large cutting mat, you can cut large. You need that expanse to stay big. It shrinks anyway. So, start big.

Philadelphia, Just Passing Through

I boarded Durango Monday evening, and in the wee hours of this morning we rode over Philadelphia. This journey was pleasant, filled with people who were eager and willing to try new techniques. And new sights for me, and many friends who helped me to get there. Thanks, Stitch. Thanks, Durango.

Train Ride

The narrow gauge train from Durango to Silverton was impressive. Not the least was the proximity of the rail to the cliff's edge. It's impossible to capture the beauty in a snap.

Walk Among the Ruins

I was treated to a visit to Mesa Verde today by my hosts Linda, her husband Fred, and Pam. Both women were with me in class this week, and I got to share in their joy of living with such rich history around Mesa Verde in the Southwest corner of Colorado. A workout for both body and soul.

Lovely Lovely Week

Leeann is the owner and chief engineer at Stitch in Durango, Colorado. She hosted me for a three day workshop on Improvisatioal Design for her group -- 23 in all. Everything about this class was lovely -- the space, the town, and especially Leeann. If ever be in Durango, check out her top notch store. And thank you all!

Starting to Compose

The sketches are pouring out like the Animas River. Well slow down a bit for a final Take Two challenge. What a great group of women to take exploring.