Year of the Horse - The Stitched Journal

January

Recently I rambled on about Process, and that I was embarking on year-long personal project. At that time I was uncertain what to call it, how to give my idea a name. Now, I'm still uncertain, but I suppose the best way to describe my project is to say that it is a Journal. For many years I was a prolific journal writer, after becoming a parent my journal writing dropped off tremendously, but I still get a little weak in the knees when I come across a lovely blank book. 

I wanted to use my stitching as a type of journal keeping, a sketchbook in textiles. To make this happen though, I needed to give myself some guidelines. If I just kept to some sort of nebulous scheme, it might turn into another unfinished, yet pretty exciting idea.

I kept the rules simple, always a good plan for success. One journal "page" per month, one textile piece to explore new ideas, thoughts, techniques and feelings. Did I say feelings? Yes, I sure did. When I was working on my January piece, I realized I wasn't just playing around with stichery and fabric; I was also processing emotions. It was fun, it was hard, I learned a lot.  

What I also found out was this, I loved the whole process! Though the piece itself is deceptively simple, the elements were carefully constructed and more time than you would imagine went into it. The hand dyed fabric alone was a long and interesting experimentation that taught me quite a lot.

By the end of the year I should have 12 "pages" or pieces rather. I am going to attempt to keep them all similar in size so that they may be compiled at the end of the year into a type of book, "My Year in Textile Manipulation," perhaps?

I am really quite smitten with The Stitched Journal Project and I look forward to February's piece!

Anyone care to join in?