When this prompt was first revealed, I started seeing the term “deconstruction” being used in connection with fabric, not in the literal sense of tearing it apart or separating articles of clothing, but through various chemical applications. It was a bit of a mystery to me, and having no quilt shops in the country I live in, I was reluctant to risk reducing my supply for an experiment. I was going to have to go quite literal.

I took a walk around my house and discovered that I have an apparent affinity for deconstruction. I have cut up bedding waiting to become quilt backings. I’ve chopped up 7 golden pothos over time to generate over 100 new plants. There is a box of disassembled jewelry ready to become bling on a camel’s saddle.

The biggest well of deconstruction in my home, though, is paper-based. I save paper bags and packaging to repurpose into junk journals.

I punch old scrapbook paper, packaging, and parking tickets (not the punitive kind) into tabs to organize notebooks.

I rescue lined paper from discarded novels, textbooks, and notebooks and soak it in dye water, coffee, or paint to give it new vitality.

I now feel convicted over how many materials I have prepped for a creative venture, but never taken the next step towards actually making something. (Side note: I may make this to focus on my next 30-Day Challenge! Better yet, I may invite others over to have a play day.) While I let this percolate in the back of my brain, I have unearthed a more recently amassed collection of paper fibers that is now being put to good use on my “Deconstruction” piece. Used Color Catchers! This is a sneak peek of what is cooking here in my studio in Qatar.

Not long to wait now!