Like a Phoenix Rising from the Ashes

      Our house has a new name, the Phoenix! Like the mythical bird of fiery plumage that settles in a nest to burn ferociously and rise renewed and reborn, our family home has regenerated. We will move back on time, August 1. The floors are due one more coat, the bannister a stain, a few trim moldings and paint touchups to go, but essentially, the Phoenix (formerly 48 Stults Road) will be ready on time, renewed. Matt and Diogo met with us for a last punch list, the final still to go. Town approvals are being checked off. Joe and I even went over to trim some bushes and that felt good. Yard work is not ordinarily a joyous undertaking, but it was to us, being back home and making it ours.

      If you Google images of the Phoenix, you'll note the yellow, orange and red plumage, wings and head. The shape of our house is taking similar form and colors in my thinking! I plan to paint it as a Phoenix, one described in the myths of history. The head will be the porch entrance and the two side peaks as wings. 

       The only Phoenix-like images in my past work were fabric pieces: a tame one in progress when I was working with the grandchildren to paint and stitch fabric and the other about the sunbird, not to be confused with the Phoenix. I put the word Phoenix in the blogger search at the top left of this blog page and scrolled to older postings to find these mini journal quilts.

         I am excited to be getting many of my paintings back when we move in. One-third were restored by Trefler's. I know I should paint this house Phoenix now, but one loses a lot of sleep and energy in a house rebuild. So many decisions, surprises. We have been to the house daily, trying to be helpful to speed the process, avoid delays and mistakes. We have enjoyed our unflappable contractor and skilled carpenter; and in four weeks, hopefully, will ourselves, like a Phoenix, have risen from the ashes!

Unfinished Painting on Fabric: a quilt workshop

    The Quilters Connection has exciting workshops and guests. Jennifer Beaven led "Paint, Stitch and Embellish." We started with quick exercises listing animals, smells, foods, places, plants, and music we love...wishes and stories about these. Beaven encouraged us to make a work about ourselves, the simplest of drawings. We drew images with Sharpie's Rub a Dub markers on thin cotton and painted with Lumiere fabric paints. These acrylic paints in both sampler groups or little bottles are good in that they leave the fabric soft and malleable. I took plain and irridescent. We ironed to set and then backed the pieces with batting and another piece of cotton the same size and started stitching with Pearl embroidery thread and others. We added beads and other embellishments. Mine was so tame, but I came home to do it with the 5 and 6 years old grands. None of us have finished!

(Phoenix awaiting beads)

(click to enlarge all photos)

       Hannah and Erika were still in a Valentine mood and chose some interesting fabrics for the backs of theirs, but have not had time to start their stitching. Erika showed me several places in my house that hers would look good hanging.

      First, put the fabric on newsprint and paper towels atop protective plastic.Draw your design with marker. Have water for your paints and plastic lids to mix them on. After finishing, iron to set the ink and paints; then sandwich to thin batting and a backing fabric. Safety pin together.  With embroidery needles and threads, start in the middle to tack things down. Use running stitches, back stitches, French knots, chicken scratches. Embellishment is the icing on the cake...buttons, beads, necklaces and on to create a dynamic surface. The repetition of marks and stitches will hopefully lead to visually compelling and personally meaningful piece.  We have a way to go.