I have to say I am SO impressed and pleased with the work that is being created by Cloth in Common members.  Such variety and thoughtful responses to each prompt!  The last group of work – International community – was especially excellent.  Be sure to visit our website https://www.clothincommon.com/ to see what we’ve made.

And now we are considering communities in our natural world of plants or animals.  I thought for a few days about this challenge, and decided to try to use some fabrics made in a screen printing workshop with Pat Pauly instructing.  I had made a couple screens of leaf shapes, so I pulled out those fabrics and spent an afternoon playing with them. 

The fabrics were printed with various colored dyes (including PINK), so it was a challenge to make them work together. 

 Happily, some of the fabrics were light values, giving the composition some depth. 

While playing and standing back to evaluate, I noticed some little miracles happening.  A bird appeared to be flying over the scene!  Then I noticed a dog peeking out in the foreground, and a cow grazing. 

I kept working until I was ready to begin stitching down the loose shapes.

and then I made the decision . . . . . .to start over again.  I like the piece, and will probably finish it  eventually, but I wanted to make something less whimsical and more beautiful. 

So, I grabbed my camera and went walking about around our property.  I took loads of photos, capturing both plant and animal life in the sunshine.

I’ve selected a delightful image on which to base my second attempt. 

So far, the construction is going well, and I grab a few minutes to play with it here and there amid the holiday bustle.  Today is my birthday and tomorrow is Christmas, so I will be working hard in January to finish by the Jan. 31, 2020 deadline.  I wish you all peaceful and wonder filled holidays, and a joyous year to come.