Textiles and tea, socks and boundaries

 Yesterday's presenter is a dyer and weaver who works in ikat, where she paints or dyes the threads ahead of weaving, to create interesting shapes and pools of patterns. There were big technical problems, losing her repeatedly, so they had to salvage what they could, and here's the result. Still pretty good.

She started out wanting to make wall art but has been drawn into wearable clothes. But her work with words, in the piece with sayings from a large number of religions, and symbols of peace and unity,  the landscapes, and that group work, are all wall hangings.

The long gallery piece is a communal schoolwide work, where every student,  teacher and staff worker was invited to add a piece of work, using strips of textiles they brought in, meaningful to them. The blue markers indexed,  to help them find their own contribution, in a work over twenty feet long.

She started in the seventies, with a very subdued natural color range, but burst out into color later, as you see.  Weaving blogistas, have you tried ikat, or fancied it?

Meanwhile back in the sock world, the first sock for me is done. 

Rose, I think this is yarn you gave me. It knits up nicely, very friendly.  As you see, I used different color for heel and cuff, because I'm not sure how far the main color will go. They're going to be great to wear.

November is full of memories for me, aside from the general memories of family and war dead, because it has birthdays of two sisters and my parents'  wedding anniversary.

If the sisters had observed and respected my boundaries better, if my parents had dealt with their bullying better, my life would have worked better. Just a gentle reminder to older sibs who wonder why younger ones have become distant. Sometimes they can't protect themselves till they're adults, or you've left the family home. Then they're not in touch any more. But it's not too late to get in contact gently, and try again, on a different footing. 

One of my sisters did, in very old age, and said she didn't know what to do other than feel guilty. It didn't occur to her to say she was sorry. And I knew that would bring on a burst of rage if I mentioned it. But I accepted this was the best she could do. No point in pushing for what another person can't do. I think this is true of friends, too, when they let you down. They're probably doing their best.

Odd how this continues to be important even into old age and survival. But now in my turn,  I'm observing other people's boundaries with care. 

Happy day, everyone! How do you feel about boundaries, yours and other people's? No need to answer this question if it crosses your boundaries!