The slippery elm tree, Ulmus rubra, and the use of its bark as food and medicine has been on my mind since the new moon. I wanted to sew something ceremonially in elm's honor and found this amaranth eco-dyed cloth in my stash that looked like peeling tree bark. At first I laid it on a light background and it wasn't right. But when I placed it on a dark background, the spirit of slippery elm appeared. Then I added some of Jeannie's (thank you!) beautiful dyed silks and a bit of my oak-leaf dyed wool and the tree trunk appeared. Just like that.
I never saw that face before in that cloth. It makes me wonder what else I've missed -- but at the same time, hopeful about seeing anew. In the case that a seeing-with-new-eyes quote comes to your mind right now, take a look here. I had no idea there were so many famous quotes about seeing. And they're all spot on.
To seeing.
fabulous tree spirit. yes, sometimes the time has to be right to see.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deanna. Feels like magic when it happens.
Deleteoh, i see many faces talking here...and tiny stars light their conversation. nice.
ReplyDeletehenrietta, thanks, I like that. I see more faces in the cloth, too!
Deletewow...so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteTo seeing xxx
Trish, thank you! And yes!
DeleteIt's great how the blue cloth made her spirit shine out. She is utterly beautiful and I can imagine the thrilled excitement you must have felt when your eyes saw her that first time.
ReplyDeleteSlippery Elm is important in my life right now and I love love love this ceremonial cloth in her honour....it is perfect.
I am so happy when I 'see'
Helen, thanks and yes, that experience of seeing was wonderful. I feel like I spend more time staring and less time seeing when it comes to cloth. Wonderful slippery elm. I have a bag of ground bark right here beside me.
Deleteoh this is wonderful...............
ReplyDeleteMartine, thank you, I'm glad you like it!
Deletewhat a find! maybe the spirit didn't have anything to say until now?
ReplyDelete& those stars in the last image- this is such a beautiful piece.
Cindy, thanks -- you're right, maybe it was waiting to be seen at the right time/right place before it spoke! I like that.
DeleteSlippery, but you've certainly caught her! Love the star fabric paired with the spirit's face.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, yes I did! ha. Thanks for the star love.
DeleteA twinkling spirit cloth! I love the face and it warms my heart to see my cloth used in such a wonderful piece. I really like how the vertebrae show up as well. A strong spirit! Happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteJeannie, I so love your pieces in this. Do you see the bottom one with the perfect curves to be the base of the tree trunk? So wonderful. Thank you.
Deletehi, slippery elm is one of my favorite barks, makes a lovely dye and paper and it medicinal to boot! peels easily, but nothing like the birches. it's wet and, er, slippery!
ReplyDeleteVelma, oh wow, I'll need to check this out -- I've only used it as food or medicine, not a dye! This is exciting, thanks!!
DeleteAnd to YOU, Peggy! Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, Chris!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great face!! Love it!
ReplyDelete