Blowin' in the Wind...

It's been some time since my last post. I've been busy, followed by a three-day layup with a cold. Fortunately, one of the prayer flags I recieved in a recent swap with Creative Swaps was for healing. I needed some of that, and am doing better now. After making and swapping three prayer flags, the next stage of the swap is to post photos of the flags in our yards or gardens. I haven't decided on the final location for mine, but meanwhile they look pretty good here in the honeysuckle arbor. The first three flags from left to right are from the swap, and the fourth is one I made. I really enjoyed this project, and have several more prayer flags waiting in the wings, so the display is going to grow.

This photo shows a bit more detail. The fuchsia flag at left was made by Siri Hauge Opdal from Norway, next is the healing flag made by Julie Wolkoff from Massachusetts, the red "love" flag is from Sabine Schnieder from Germany. And the fourth is my "sanctuary" flag. All of the flags include a vareity of fiber techniques such as beading, stamping, piecing, embroidery and embellishing. The small size (about 5" x 8") makes them quick and easy, and yet a great place to explore techniques and make use of snips and scraps.

As part of my busy week, I spent a day at Disney's Animal Kingdom with quilting friend Joanne. We rode the Kali River Rapids attraction in the Asia section of the park, and I was taken by all of the many Tibetan prayer flags festooning the entry building. I might have noticed them before, but this time I was really taken with them, having just participated in this swap. If you have a few minutes, check out this video by Undercover Tourist ... it shows the ride (wear a poncho if you go!), but also has many shots of the prayer flags. Quite impressive. If you don't have time for the video, try this site... it has a photojournalist's pics of the prayer flags. There was another display in the nature walk that had strips of various fabrics tied to branches. It represented answered prayers according to the accompanying info. From knowing very little about prayer flags to discovering a wealth of information about them, this has been a most enjoyable journey.

 

More Prayer Flags... Somebody Stop Me!

The deadline approaches for the Creative Swaps exchange of prayer flags. Only three are needed for the swap, but I've become enamored of these little treasures, and can't seem to stop making them. As so often happens, I'm percolating ideas for the next one while I'm still working on the one in front of me! One reason I like the flags is because they cause me reflect on prayerful thoughts and positive ideas. My earliest flags were about peace and friendship. That led to my thinking about security and safety, so that now I'm making sanctuary-themed flags. I envision these flags fluttering near the homes of those who will recieve them, and home is sanctuary to me. This one has pieces of home decorator fabric samples, acrylic paint stamped letters, and bits of trim.

And this one is made using short lengths of ribbon woven to make the base, It's topped with sparkly sheer, lace, buttons, and stamped images. What's more joyful than birdsong? The ends of the ribbon are loose, and the sheer is cut in loose strips so that there will be lots of movement when the breezes blow. And given the current hurrican track forecast, the breezes will blow indeed in Florida. Do hope the storm will diminish or alter its path for the least impact!

These are the two flags I showed in an earlier post, but with a shabby yo-yo flower added and a little back interest completed with free-motion stitching. The Sanctuary flag also has some back interest, shown below.

Do you remember the recent erosion projects in which mixed-media artists left bundles containing assorted fabric, paper and metal out in the elements to decay? After some time passed, the bundles were unwrapped and the pieces incorporated in journals, quilts or other creations. I have a poetic picture of these little flags out there eroding, too. They'll brave the elements in someones yard, and bring a smile to whoever sees them while the flags get more tattered with each passing day. Until someday... poof... they'll turn into lint. But the beautiful thoughts will linger on!

Prayer Flag Practice...

Making these little textile banners certainly has become popular. And it's no wonder... they're just the right size for exploring some fabric and technique fun while expressing a positive thought. Right at the same time as my quilting friend Joanne shared an article with me on making prayer flags (if you believe in coincidence), Lenna at Creative Swaps opened her latest trade with... what else?.. prayer flags. So of course I signed up. Swap participants will be making three 5" x 8" prayer flags using their choice of supplies, materials, and sentiments. My first effort is the one above. It's made using a base of hand-dyed fabric given to me by Robbie of Robbie's Paw Prints. I did some reverse applique, to which I added embroidery and paint. The message, "friendship and peace, may they bloom and grow" is from a song of blessing we sing during Kairos Prison Ministry weekends. And just to give the banner some flutter-in-the-breeze elements, I also added fabric beads made in a previous Creative Swap. I think this will look bright and lively in someone's garden or on their porch.

This is my second effort, and it includes a stamped message from Scripture, "peace, peace, far and near". I made it using insertion strips of fabric, and couched twine and yarn. The backing is a piece from a fabric sample book. And the garden print is just a scrap I love. Another handmade bead tops the flag. It feels very creative to pore through my fabrics and supplies and come up with ideas for these flags. I have one more to make for the swap, but I'll likely made several and then choose which ones to send.