Starting is Such Sweat ‘n Sorrow

storytellingapron14oct16a

I think.

gathering14oct16

I gather.

aligning18oct16b

I plan.

aligning18oct16b

I align.

stitching19oct16a

I start. Finally.

Why so much circling before starting to stitch along with Jude Hill’s SunMoonStars? I think it has to do with trust. After all these trips around the sun, my brain still don’t trust that my heart and hands or even itself, for that matter, will come up with a story, develop it, tell it. My brain – the same brain with authority issues which means it’s the same brain that doesn’t like to follow directions or use patterns –  doesn’t believe in haptic intelligence or creativity.

aligning18oct16a

I bought these 2 curtain panels at a thrift shop, and I spent hours trying to decide how to use them. Do I make one long storytelling cloth? Do I make one panel the back of the quilt? Do I make a long, skinny “book”? I finally decide to match the circles – because we all know that everything goes much more smoothly when the planets, suns, and moons are in alignment.

I long to be the woman who can travel the world with a backpack, has more space in her house than stuff, and just starts. I’m not there yet, but I’m working on it. And this cloth, this series? It’s gonna’ be FUN.

4 Comments

  1. Kitty Sorgen

    I LOVE how you’ve started, Jeanne! Just think how happy you’ve made those ‘incomplete’ circles! All is right in their universe because of YOU! :)_

    • whollyjeanne

      You crack me up, Kitty Sorgen! (And I need that these days;))

  2. Chloe

    Starting is the hardest and most important step: taking a leap of faith that what you do will fulfill the potential that until now has only existed only in your mind… I am always terrified of taking that first cut into precious fabric: convinced I’m going to wreck it. But then sometimes that in itself is an essential part of the process of creation… I think actually this is at the root of my compulsive use of tatty scraps of fabric, it’s already broken 🙂 love these circles – they are full of joy! Xo

    • whollyjeanne

      How did you get to be so wise at such a young age? xoxo

Leave a Reply to whollyjeanneCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Where in the world is The 70273 Project? Please add a pin to show us where you are in the world. (1) Click the + sign in upper righthand corner of map. (2) Enter your first name only. (3) Enter your city/state. (4) Using the pins at the bottom of the map, select a marker based on how you are involved. (5) Select preview to see before posting. (6) Select submit to post. Please add a marker for each role you serve in The 70273 Project.

Support The 70273 Project

Allow me to introduce myself . . .

Hey, Sugar! I'm Jeanne Hewell-Chambers: writer ~ stitcher ~ storyteller ~ one-woman performer ~ creator & founder of The 70273 Project, and I'm mighty glad you're here. Make yourself at home, and if you have any questions, just holler.

special delivery: get blog posts hot off the press

categories

© 2024 Jeanne Hewell-Chambers’ Barefoot Heart

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑