"Columbaria"

16"x22", solid and printed cotton cloth, rust prints on muslin, paper collage, ribbon, bits of newspaper, hand and machine stitching and rust stained twine.
This is my attempt at gate 5 and the subject is angels/messengers. Two strong thoughts inspired me. One is that I believe we act as angels/messengers for one another. I can't count all the times when I have overheard a strangers remarks or read an excerpt on a blog that changed my perspective completely. I don't know if I have returned the favor but I'd like to think so.
My second inspiration comes from viewing photos of ancient cave complexes with carved out niches used for dove keeping. Can you imagine living underground? These beautiful doves had many uses but I see them as pure messengers in flight. The paper collage strips are actual black and white photographs of the ancient dove niches. So my thoughts on all the ways we receive blessed messages helped create this piece.
Rust printing was a highlight of gathering cloth for this piece. Fun to add my corroded nails, washers to muslin shapes and tying these bundles to soak in a white vinegar and water bath. It only took a few days and I was happy with the results especially after, rinsing, soaping scrubbing, drying and ironing!
Now for a couple days of clean-up and then to new work!

Hands of Heaven

There is an old joke that goes: "If you want to make G-d laugh, tell him (her) your plans.! This gate expresses to me a heavenly order, a planned way. Looking back, I could never have planned this life of mine and circumstances I would live. It's been an amazing journey.
This photo of my little clay pot was sitting on my deck and kept catching my eye lately. I've had it for a long time but I don't recall buying it or who gifted it to me. I gave into the pull and photographed all four sides ... made adjustments and realized the shapes had become (for me)heavenly planners and the main theme of this gate!
13"x15", cotton, stamped, linen, lace trim, crochet edge and digital print on organza. Machine and hand stitching.

Y for Yellow

As the search continues for Roy G Biv ... today is YELLOW! This first piece "Love Code 44" is mostly paper and some hand stitching. It was created a couple years ago and is from my 'code series'. The mixtures of yellow with orange, pinks and reds gives it a startling look ... one almost squints at first glance.

"Simple Blessings is an almost all fabric piece and it is one of three in a 'sacred cloth' series. I used digital prints on silk and added copper leaf to the small tabs on top. The two panels on either side are made of paper napkins softened to cloth using olive oil in the momigami method and then rows of machine stitching was added on top.
 I'll enjoy today traveling about seeing yellow everywhere!