Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Thank You! (and paper wanna-be fabric craftiness) :)

Wow. Thank You! If I had all the words in all the languages it wouldn't do justice to how much your outpouring of lovely comments and emails means to me. My heart goes out to those of you who share in this heavy grieving. I hope you find as much wise comfort in those beautiful messages as I do. I read and still re-read all of them with a brimming heart. Thank you!

To those of you who relate to my more general struggles like weight and emotional razzmatazz, I hope to share some things that have really helped me over the next little while (in between blog posts of craftiness 'cause I feel mojo sneaking up on me!) :)

I'd hoped to respond to you all individually, but many of you are "no reply" in blogger. So, I hope this small message in some way lets you all know how much gratitude I'm flooded with for you and your words of support and incredible kindheartedness. Thank you ever so much.


And in Craft-related happiness...

my Aunt and dear friend, Maggie, took me here...
(CreativeFest Spring 2016)


She's an astoundingly talented quilter & fabric artist... a decorator and all around ultra-creative lady. Creativfest was a blast to explore together & she's since opened my eyes even more to the wide world of fabric. (Uh oh! Another hobby full of multitudinous tidbits to hoard? Trouble!) ;) 

However, as you well know, paper has a firm hold of my soul, so I required a gateway "drug..." Cue the paper that wants to be fabric when it grows up & the magical substance that can fulfill that aspiration...


Konnyaku powder which is...

"...powdered Devil's Tongue root, a natural plant starch that, when mixed with water and applied by brush to paper, gives extra strength, waterproofing and memory to papers" (source). It seems to give paper a fabric-like strength so you can sew with it. Crazy, right?

I'm excited to take these handmade Japanese paper bits from paper scraps to quasi-quilt-like sewing project. I was thinking a purse or tote bag. Any ideas for a noob?

So, I'll let you know when I get my hands on other paper types (like plain old cardstock perhaps) what weird & wonderful things this magical powdered root schtuff can do. :) In the meantime, thank you again, oh so much, and happy creating!

Love,

7 comments:

Cathy said...

Soumds like you had a lovely time and this powder sounds amazing! Glad your mojo is coming back, have a great day, Cathy x

Holly Young said...

well the papers are certainly beautiful so no matter how you use them you will create something lovely. I'm really curious to see what your experimenting with the powder will show us.

Chelsea said...

I'm not a fabric gal, so I can't give you any advice. But I know whatever you create will be fabulous!!

Dawn said...

Powdered whaaaat does whaaaat??!! I know you'll create some fantabulous things!!! Hugs

Unknown said...

As a fellow paper addict I am beyond curious about this magical powdwer, and look forward to your experiments and creations. in the meantime, maybe I will dust off the sewing machine up on the top shelf of my craft room cupboard!so sorry for your loss,and so glad you have found some peace, and made your way back to crafting - there is nothing more therapuetic than losing yourself in creating even for a short while each day! love Helen xx

Crafting Queen said...

So very sorry for your loss and the struggles you have been going through.

Cindi (aka iring) said...

Sounds like a creative fest is just what you needed! You have a smart Aunt!
Glad the mojo is sneaking back in. I'd love to hear your tips for weight and emotional stuff mixed in with the crafty. That powder sounds really cool!