One person's trash #2

Repurposed items include packaging from today’s grocery delivery, yesterday’s mail, as well as cotton threads, and the page of a John Updike book.

One person's trash... 1

Nooo… It’s not trash.

I hear that making things out of other things is all the fashion these days. They call it “Reee-pur-pos-ing”.

Stamp Collage 1

Earlier this year I began learning a stich a day. 2020 seemed like it was going to be a long year in seclusion and so a perfect time to pick up a meditative hobby like embroidery. Now, as the year comes to a close, I am happy to report that I’m enjoying it more than ever. Not only does it feel like I am honoring a hefty chunk of my DNA; for me, it is also a really enjoyable way to slow down and meditate. I love the sound the needle makes when passing through the fabric. I love the way thread can be manipulated. I love finding all of these talented artists I hadn’t ever known of previously and explore this world of art I didn’t know existed before this year. It’s been very inspiring.

I started off the year with Rebecca Ringquist and her Dropcloth Samplers. It was the perfect way to learn a stitch every day. After I finished the first month I subscribed to her monthly samplers and so started to receive a different theme of stitches to complete every four weeks. I love them. What’s more, I like supporting Rebecca Ringquist… I’m feeling grateful for the lessons she passes along.

Every time I see the little envelope arrive, I smile and know there is a wealth of inspiration and knowledge to look forward to. The other bonus to these letters are the stamps she chooses to send. Examining stamps on a piece of mail is something I haven’t done for a very long time. I can remember as a child staring at stamps in my father’s collection, examining the small pieces of art sent from countries far away and wondering who it was that was pictured on the stamp. Rebecca’s monthly mail has had the side effect of bringing this old fascination back into my life. Except now, I am older, have time and tools to make things at my disposal and see inspiration like these stamps differently. I needn’t wonder anymore either -. With the internet I can investigate on the spot. “Who is the Anne Spencer?” for example. Why is she on this stamp and what does it say about the sender that she chose to send her along to all her recipients. It says a lot I think.

And so, in honor of these thoughts and experiences I have started using these parts of her mailings in little 3”x3” collages. I assume it’s only a matter of time before stitches are involved…