When the going gets tough, the tough get sewing. Too many hours at home during Lockdown and even after some of the restrictions were lifted. At home, in the studio. I decided to make a conscious effort to really only use what I already had so this meant going back to the Japanese textiles I had collected during my 8 years off and on in Japan. I used to spend my weekends at the flea markets and “ rag sales” hunting for blue and white and old kimono and obi. And then I moved and moved and moved again and somehow the fabric stash stayed in its tea chest until March of this year. I began with the small birds but then slowly moved on, inspired by Sue Stone and her great slow stitching class “ Stitch your Story”. Sewing has become a delight and a mediation during the long winter evenings. I think about the excitement of getting up before everyone else and visiting a flea market. I hope those days come again but until they do I think I am well supplied. Below: 2 images recalling those days.