Maitland River Shawl

Earlier this year, in the spring, I was contacted by the North Perth Arts and Culture Council, and asked if I wanted to create an art piece for their upcoming fundraiser.  They requested that this piece represent at least one of the five senses.  I agreed to submit a one of a kind knitted piece for the auction.

I journeyed to ask what piece was needed for the auction, and received information that described a triangular shawl with trees, and Queen Snakes in the design.  A bunch of wavy rayed lampmussels also played a part in what this shawl was to become.

I had never created a piece this way before.  I had never journeyed to find out information about what I was going to create.  This is a very potent way of creating a powerful piece.

This was a very tedious piece, requiring approximately 170 hours of my time, and much of my patience and grounding as I always strived to remember the purpose of this piece.

Here is the healing story of this piece:

Most of your body is water.

You are a walking, talking piece of the river that you drink from.

Taste the purity of your water.

See how clean your water flows.

Smell how fresh your moisture is.

Hear how your water gently moves around your body.

Connect with how beautiful you are.
Melt your ice inside, and love your water.

This piece was a continuation of the Maitland River Walk.  It was another way of sharing the lessons learned during the June 189 km walk of the Maitland River.  Incorporating the five senses as well with the teaching was a fabulous extension of the teaching.

The deadline for the project was quickly coming, and going, without this project anywhere near being finished.  However, it was ready before the auction. 

I dropped it off at the home of an organizer, Cathy, and she brilliantly set to work figuring out how to display it in the best way.  I had been told that because the piece was so late it would not be able to be auctioned in the live auction, and that it had to be at a silent table.  The retail value of this piece was $2000.  I was asked for a reserve bid, and stated that the reserve bid was $1500. 

I left it not knowing what was going to happen.  I felt that it was very likely that the shawl would be returned to me, and that I would be selling it myself, which wouldn't be such a bad thing either, I supposed.

The day after the auction, I was contacted regarding the shawl.  I was told that it was auctioned at the live auction, and sold for $1500.  It was a weird moment for me.  I was excited that someone had found value in the shawl, and that my work was being recognized as an important part of my community.  Also, it was very helpful for the organization that had asked for that donation, they were going to be able to cover their operating expenses a little easier now.  I wondered how it was going to be used, will she use it as a shawl, or hang it as an art piece? 

Now, I am wondering how I can work with the momentum that was created by the North Perth Arts and Culture Council, and perhaps make my living as a fibre artist.  What would the next steps be?

Knitting on the Edge

Knitting brings people to their edge the same way that a very long walk does. At some point during a long walk, the beauty that surrounded us so plentifully before seems to be lost. It becomes just the same, one step, then another, one tree, then another, and we may wonder why we even began this tiresome journey in the first place.

During a large knitting project, we may lose the enchantment that we felt at the beginning, and the project becomes just another knit stitch, then another, in the same boring colour that we have been working with for many weeks. We may wonder why we ever started this tedious work in the first place, and feel like we would just like to be rid of it.

We cannot be rid of it until the final detail is attached to the project, the final loose yarn put into place, and then we are reminded of the beauty that we saw at the beginning when we first dreamed this project up. Staying with it even though we wanted to jump off the edge and forget about it will help us learn to keep our focus, and allow us to share our beauty with the world. 

 
Taking on a large knitting project is an adventure into your patience, and your focus.  It is an adventure into excitement, joy, and boredom.  It can be something that once you dive into will not let you go until it is certain that the work is finished.  The skeletons in your closet may well be wearing half knitted sweaters. 
 
So, why would anyone even want to take a large knitting project on?
 
Well, why would anyone want to do any large adventure?  There is a thrill, an excitement, and a wondering about our own personal stamina.  We may see the rewards at the end of the project before even casting on our first stitch, and in that moment, we may clearly understand the benefits of the whole project.
 
So, pick up your yarn, strap yourself in, and dream about what beauty you can create in this world.

The Studio

For many years now, I have been dreaming of a space that I could use to whatever purpose I wished.  A space where I could smudge, drum, sing, journey, dance, yoga, paint, and of course knit, sew, crochet and weave.  This would be a space that I could go into, and hang a sign that says, 'working~ giving out big hugs when I am done'.  Also, it needs to be a place where I can create beautiful videos.

Eventually, I see a 'shed' in the back yard, where I can also work with people shamanically, assisting in whatever way is needed, as well as it being a studio.

However, the backyard space is a bit away yet, but I am very aware that a space is needed now.  Actually, it is long overdue.

Today, my kids and I began to clear out the basement, and we have a corner cleared, ready to scrub.  This is going to be my studio for as long as it needs to be.  The walls are going to be created out of blankets or curtains, and this will be where I continue to create commissioned pieces for other people.

This space was needed because as I knit and create, I have begun to really focus on holding intent, and journeying to connect with the yarn to bring through the energy that will help make the piece the most special that it can be.  This is work that needs its own space, that needs a special space, seperate from the goings on in the rest of my house.  We have a busy family here, and there are often different sounds, and activities in the same room.  Most of my family does not like the smell of smudge.  It is a feeling that I have that creating this are will mean that my clients, as well as my family and myself will benefit from this work/play/dream area.

I will post before and after pics as soon as I have them available.

What is it that you need to really begin to create?  What do you have to clear?  What do you need to do to make it happen?

Secret project musings

No, this is not a bowl of spaghetti, though when my wonderful husband came home from work the first night that I worked on this, he was wondering what kind of pasta dish I was cooking up... I do love pasta.   

This is a bowl of yummy yarn, soaking in a vinegar mordant.  A mordant is usually a mineral that helps colour to stay in the item that is being dyed.  So, this was preparation for using a natural dye.  In this instance, the natural dye that was used was beet juice.  The yarn turned out a really lovely pink colour.

I have really enjoyed my delvings this summer into creating my own yarn, though I have fallen a little behind from what I had been hoping to accomplish, because I have been creating so many projects, and I have been following my connection with water to see where this will take me.

I have been thinking for a long while about how little most people understand about yarning, as well as how many benefits come from the act of yarning.    Benefits are received for the yarner(creator), as well as the yarnee(receiver).  The love and light that we hold as we create items for ourselves and others becomes translated into the creation that we are working on, and people who receive these gifts can feel this love.
I think about this, and I wonder if I have put as much love and light into the objects that I have been creating as I could, and I know that there is room for improvement.  I follow this train of thought, and see where it leads me.

This train of thought and where it leads me, are heading in the direction of the Secret Project that is brewing in my mind and imagination.  It is an idea that excites and inspires me, and I am working hard to make sure that others will be just as excited, and inspired when they join on to explore this idea.

I am moving forward:  Creating, inspiring, loving, grounded, and joyful.  I wonder what great souls will join , because at first, there can only be a few.

Smiley Bubbles Baby Doll

I am beginning to really enjoy creating little toys for babies, and when I get in the mood to do that, then I get in the mood, and there is almost no stopping it!  I imagine lovely little chubby fingers holding onto the doll, and smiling away.  While working with the handspun, and naturally dyed yarn, it's even more exciting to know that the babies will not be exposed to any harsh chemicals in the name of saving a few bucks.  With this doll, they will be cared for in a way that is special, and still a little different in the culture that we live in.



The idea that this is also helpful for the environment is something that has me grinning from ear to ear as I create.  I mean, really, how could it get much better than that?



If you are looking for a gift for a baby, and want to make sure that the gift is something that is special, and that was created with health, happiness and love of the baby in mind, then this doll is a perfect choice. With this lovely little doll, there are no chemicals added. This is a natural gift that as it breaks down over the years will not cause harm to people or the environment. It is a wonderful size for little fingers to hold on to.
 

This baby toy was created with handspun yarn. The natural dye used for the yarn that creates the body is the spice tumeric. The dye used for the hat and sweater on this lovely little doll was beet juice. The dye that was used for the eyes and mouth of this doll was blueberries.
 

While working with the blueberry yarn, the intention is to hold sweetness and healing for the person who is receiving the toy.
 

The stuffing for this doll is an organic wool blend.
 

To care for this doll, handwashing in cool water and laying out to dry are recommended.
Hours invested: 6 hours plus spinning and dyeing time.

Smiley Bubbles Baby Doll Shipping Included

Canada $74.00United States $77.00International $80.00

Sacred Feather Carriers

For a while, I had been wondering what the best way to carry my feathers would be. I wanted a pouch, but did not want to be pulling the feather back out in a way that would ruffle them. So, I realized that is both ends were open, the feather could be pulled out in the way that was best for it.

These Sacred Feather Carriers were knit while holding the intention of beauty, love, and peace for all of life in the best way possible.


Turmeric hand dyed, hand spun Sacred Feather Carrier

This Sacred Feather Carrier was created with handspun, home dyed yarn created by Heidi Burrowes. This yarn was lovingly dyed with the spice turmeric. The ingredients involved were salt, vinegar, turmeric, and hot water. Forget about chemically dyed products. This is a venture into prechemical ways of creating.

Traditional healing ways of using turmeric include: purification, decreasing inflammation, and passion, among others. Journey to your helping spirits to find out how turmeric is helpful for you, and consult a physician if you need to because this is not medical advise.
The wool is Corriedale top wool from Great Britain. Still looking for local wool rovings.
This carrier will hold a feather up to size 11 inches long, and 1 inch wide.


To keep this beautiful and original piece looking the best, it will need to be handwashed in cold water, and layed flat to dry.

Turmeric Sacred Feather Carrier Shipping Included in Price

Canada $81.00USA $83.00International $87.00

Some words of wisdom coming through Maryann ~ resting day June 19 2010

"Smile ... this is what i re-learned today ... sometimes we are anxious about something in the future - and it doesn't even occur ... the anxiety was for no reason and our emotions can betray us ... we mistakenly emit an anxious or fearful energy 'thinking' that we know what the future will hold ... and we do not know ...

ah, to live fully in the moment that we are actually in ... "

Thanks Maryann for re-minding me of this.  Of course I made it home okay yesterday, and really had nothing to worry about yesterday morning.

Today is a resting day, and so far what has helped me the most is listening to the Waterboys.  I had never heard this song before, but found it this morning.  I would like to share it with you.

The next 6 days are walking days, and so these words are important to remember at this time.