TIF March 08 challenge - looking at small things

I used embroidery samples from the TAST challenge from last year to make a page for my fabric book. These 'small things' such as clean air, plants and animals are essential for our lives. We find many insects and weeds to be a nusiance ... however, they are part of our cycle of life.

TIF Challenge Feb. "I remember when ...."

I spent my early childhood in the city of Toronto. I was lucky to have grandparents who lived on a farm in the Collingwood area ... soft rolling hills of fertile land that was perfect for mixed farming.The brick house was built in the late 1800's, the barn and other buildings were older. My brother and I spent our summers exploring. I love the sun bleached wood of old buildings and the old rusted equipment, often left where it was last used. Hollyhocks adorned these abondoned sheds.
This piece will be the cover to a fabric art book based on those 'country' memories.
Techniques: the design is original and was painted & free motion stitched

TIF - Someone I admire ...

A new challenge is 'Take-it Further' a continuation of Sharon's embroidery challange of '07.

January - Someone I admire ...

the 'old mothers' of Africa have the responsibility of bringing up their grandchildren. After a life of poverty in the villages and of raising their own children, AIDS has taken a large proportion of those adult children. The 'old mothers' have lost their husbands and income, yet must find a means of raising the next generation.

This is a 'slow cloth' - hand made. The central image is from a co-operative of African women who learn crafts to support themselves and their families. The block printed fabric has lively images of life: hunters, women making bread, birth, dancing. To honor their ancient crafts, I embroidered this piece with simple running and buttonhole stitches. The fabric is part of a collection my sister-in-law gathered when living and working for CIDA (Canadian International Development agency). Jen gifted these fabrics to lucky me! This fabric was probably from Zimbabwe, Fambidzanai or Danhiko.