Safely gathered in

Above - burnished indigo-dyed hemp paper and 100% cotton rag squares with 4 deckle edges

Below - burnished catechu-dyed hemp paper and a variety of papers incorporating grass, seeds, straw

Most of my pre-Christmas chores are done and I am itching to get started on new work. I have built up a stash of handmade papers from various sources and selected a few space-dyed threads to experiment with. 
Perhaps I'll even have something to show you in a week or two.
First, though, there are a few festive events to enjoy and a glass or two of port to savour!

If you are celebrating too, I wish you a very happy time. 

 

Plans for February

I am really pleased with how February is shaping up.  The month is all about working on the projects we have each devised so Jeni and I will be going our separate ways for much of the time.

The discoveries I made in October about khadi and several other 'k's have fused into a plan. I have the opportunity to stay first at Khamir's Craft Resource Centre where I will be working with a dyer and a block printer to produce some large textile pieces featuring indigo dyes on Kala cotton. 

A little explanation might help...

Khadi - khadi is not just a cloth, it is a whole movement started by Gandhi who began promoting the spinning of khādī for rural self-employment and self-reliance. True khadi cloth is handspun and handwoven. Khadi paper has a high percentage of cotton in it, usually now from recycled clothing.

Khamir  -  An NGO formed after the huge earthquake of 2001 which devastated the city of Bhuj and the surrounding area. In its own words, Khamir works  'to enable rural creative industries in Kutch to become profitable and a model of sustainable economic practice.' It also provides 'a common roof where artisans and experts with a commitment to craft practice can exchange knowledge, build capacities, offer supportive services and conserve natural and cultural heritage'. Khamir means intrinsic pride in Kutchi.

Kala cotton - an old world cotton which is mainly grown in Kutch. It has a much lower ecological footprint than modern hybrid cottons. Khamir seeks to reinstate old world cotton fabrics, involving farmers, spinners, dyers, weavers and designers to create products which promote the local economy.

I'm pretty pleased that this exhibition will be in progress when I am there too...

Selling and Stitching

I have ideas in notebooks, on scraps of paper and bouncing about in my head for the work I want to create based on my experiences in Gujarat so far, but still no time to put any of it into practice. 

the old - close-up of elephants and parrots on a toran I bought in Bhujodi

Had a very successful two days at the Art & Design Fair in Kelso this weekend, which means I now need to spin and stitch up some new stock for the next events. 

the new - a contemporary quilt stitched with shot silks for Qasab

I'm not wishing my life away but seriously looking forward to Christmas so that I can start on my new ideas!

All talk...

 ..on the India front. Plenty of plans, of course, and dreams and scheming, but lots and lots of talk! I enjoyed catching up with friends at my stall at St Abbs on Saturday and more while stitching at the Woolgathering on Sunday, not to mention showing off photographs and some of my Gujurat creations and purchases. 

This Saturday I am off to Dumfries to the Guild Gathering where I'll have my stall and, yes, be yapping some more about the last month's exploits. 

 
 And then, before you know it, the Crafters Art & Design Fair in Kelso will be my home for a couple of days mid month. I'll be spinning yarns there  - both sorts.

 

More dates popping up after that and on into December.
Really looking forward to taking forward my ideas for new work inspired by what I've seen and learned so far, but NO TIME yet!

A few of my favourite things!

 A textile selection to share with you - all returned to Scotland squashed in my luggage...
The tiny stitching on the bags above is Paako and Mutawa work, while the one below is Jat work. It's like a cross stitch but done in a faster way and used to produce very dense patterning.

 These fabrics are all khadi cottons, handwoven. If you click on the image you'll hopefully see how lovely and subtle the stripes are

 And these are just the tiniest sample of the simplest block prints. My own colour preferences are all too evident here but, as you can imagine, every colour is available. These are chemical shades but there are a myriad subtle natural dyed ones too.

 Jeni has been putting some great images up on this blog so you can get more of an idea of the sheer exuberance of Rabari embroidery, as well as watching a video clip of dancing at the Navratri Festival last week.

eternal summer to long winter

Back home in the foggy damp Scottish Borders, I'm reliving my adventures as I unpack the treasures I acquired over the month. I'm transported back to the khadi shop where I snapped up so many different subtly striped cottons, and to the market stalls where I succumbed to a bit of bling. Then there's the vintage toran richly embroidered with elephants which will be hung up shortly. I'll take some pics of the textiles and post them soon. 

A great buy was Judy Frater's book 'Threads of Identity' which I was delighted to have signed by her when I was at Kala Raksha.

The Last Post....

 Unless I am really bored in Dubai airport en route, I'll be home by the time I post again here. It has been a wonderful experience and I have learned a little about a huge variety of subjects, from textile techniques to laundry costs, squirrels to geckos, rice dishes to rickshaw driving! 

 My homeward luggage is probably double the weight of the outward trip, and that's not including the stuff that's being sent back... 
I'll leave you for the moment with these kite images and a close-up of Dayabhai's extra weft detailing on a blanket.

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