Heart Notes: From Her Hands to Mine

Lots of news in this episode
of Heart Notes. My first class at NSCAD University is in the bag and I am registered for classes next Fall and Winter. I'm taking the summer off to take care of myself and to work on my art. In fact, I've decided to focus more fully on being an artist and an art student and that is bringing some changes.

But first, a new blog post From Her Hands to Mine. My mom was a maker (and long time rug hooker and member of the Georgetown Rug Hooking Guild) and making things was her love language. A recent health crisis has brought up fresh grief for her. I have found myself wishing we had just one more conversation. As my final project for my Off-Loom Structures class this winter I created a wearable art piece (see photo below) out of cording made from my mom's leftover rug hooking strips (I have a whole huge bag of them). You can read more about this piece that is very close to my heart in this new blog post.

What are the changes?
My weekly Creating Space journaling and sketching prompts have ended. The last set of weekly journaling/creativity prompts went out a few days ago. I have loved offering this free resource, but my art is calling me to be more fully immersed. If you are looking for a great resource for journaling and creativity, I recommend the International Association for Journal Writing (IAJW). My favourite part of the IAJW is the Writing Circles, where you can write with and meet journal writers and other creatives from literally all over the world. Consider joining and maybe we will see each other in a future Writing Circle.

Renegade Conversations will continue to be on hold in terms of new episodes. There are 25 excellent Renegade Conversations for you to catch up on. You can access Renegade Conversations on YouTube here. Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel . Or if you prefer to listen only, the audio version is available on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

I will continue with this Heart Notes newsletter, but on an infrequent basis. Expect me to share what I'm learning and being inspired by at art school! I will be keeping my website (including my online shop, blog and gallery) active, so please visit often.

Wearable Art
My wearable art clothing collection will continue to be available. In fact, I have added several new designs recently and plan to do this regularly, so please check back often!

Check out my latest Artworks in progress below. I hope you like them!

Artwork in Progress
The first in a series called Adornment, this is From Her Hands to Mine. It is made entirely from my Mom's left over rug hooking strips and the fabric she used to organize her strips. I made cording from the strips and wrote her a letter on the fabric which is woven into the crocheted insert. The techniques include cording, crochet, knotting and weaving. You can read more about this piece and the meaning it has for me in this blog post.

Other pieces in the Adornment series include Waves Receding (about listening and uncovering the way forward, just like the waves that reveal treasures on the sand), I Want You to Know (a love letter to my husband) (both wearable necklace/sculptures) and a woven and hooked triangle shawl in the style of April DeConick that is unnamed at present. Watch my online gallery and my Instagram for updates on the Adornment series.

As mentioned above, I've been adding new patterns and designs to my Wearable Art Clothing line. I hope you'll visit and let me know what you love. Check back often, as my intention is to add new designs regularly while I am at art school.

If you would like to own one of my fibre art creations, take a look at my gallery or contact me. Custom designs also available. If you have a favourite jean jacket and would like an original jean jacket art design hooked by me, contact me.