The Biscuit Bandit Strikes Again

Inevitably, the newest addition to the family, Biscuit Bandit aka Bibi, has found his way into my textile sketchbook/journal. It all started when I attempted to sew on The Pomegranate Tree Quilt and he plopped himself down upon it under the warmth of the lamp and promptly fell asleep.

Seeing that the planned evening of work wasn't proceeding smoothly, I took a fabric-covered page from my sketchbook and drew Bibi in his (deceptive) angelic, sleeping innocence.

Then I put on some loud rock music and pinned snippets from my scrap bag to the page in a mad frenzy. Bibi woke up and wanted to get in on the action.




At first, he observed closely. 

Then, in a grab for attention, he gnawed on the presser foot lever and sent the spool of thread flying. 



Despite his enthusiasm, I managed to keep stitching.

However, Bibi apparently does not appreciate Dire Straits and Led Zeplin cranked up to full-blast volume. He stalked out of the room.



But, never fear, on to new adventures.




He knocked a couple pens to the floor in the living room, then sneakily did some reconnaissance at the dining table (off-limits and doesn't he know it!) where I had been painting watercolors.

















I later found two brushes under the refrigerator










He proceeded to shred the toilet paper (one of his favorite toys), two paper napkins, a paper towel and a kleenex, and knocked over my waste paper basket for good measure.

Then, he tipped over the old laptop, which crashed to the floor and gave up its soul. 

Teenagers!

Linked to Nina Marie's "Off the Wall Friday" and to Sarah's "Friday Linky Party."

"Two"

Occasionally some of the multicolored pieces of my life come together...once in awhile. For example, I introduced my first-year university students to Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, a play that reflects the human being's inability to control or do anything in an absurd world. However, what particularly caught my attention this time around (it's one of those masterpieces that should be reread every few years...or decades) was the number "two." Each character appears with one other character, linked by invisible bonds. And then, Becket wrote two acts, not the usual one, three or five that make us feel comfortable. Why two? 

Besides making us feel uneasy, two acts are all that is required to show the repetitive nature of the waiting...a third act would be redundant. We are caught in a loop or running on a treadmill. So I have been reflecting on "two."

In the meantime, I began playing with watercolors in a "Rainbow" instruction manual, which I fished out of the trash basket when a brilliant flash of recycling ingenuity hit me. 







One design over two pages appears whole.













One design repeated on each of two pages gives the "eye" look. Two elements that contribute to a whole, like eyes, ears, and eyebrows that give symmetry to our faces.
         




The vertical version appeals to me more.  I'm breaking that old composition rule about 2/3 and 1/3. After all, Beckett thought "two" had interest.











The construction of a page in my textile sketchbook/journal demonstrates that there is no method to my madness. 




I thought my trusty glue stick would make the job easier, but pins worked much better. An oddball logcabin developed. As the work progressed the fabrics became more and more frayed.






Now, I do realize that easier ways exist to create similar images. You might say, "Well, Nadia, why didn't you just paint onto fabric? Better yet, you could photocopy the watercolor onto fabric." Yes, good points. 




















However, the satisfaction of doing this does not depend on the look of the finished work, but on the exploration of what the fabric can do, or what I can do to the fabric. I am not looking for a painterly effect, as such. Rather, looking at the green watercolor paint makes me wonder how far one can push green fabrics and threads.

Another art quilt serves as a frame for this page.

My conclusion? A third element would have balanced the composition. Two elements make me a bit uncomfortable, it's a bit edgy--I think I'll do "two" again to explore the possibilities of edginess. 

And, of course, (need you ask?) I much prefer the textile version.

Linked to Nina Marie's "Off the Wall Friday."

The Cat IS the Hat

A kitten found by a dumpster came to live with us a couple of months ago. Named Biscuit Bandit, but, shortened to Bibi, he seems to be hitting adolescence: he still likes to play, but sometimes he's sassy. And he always wants to be in the control tower.














We haven't had a house cat in a long time. Don't know how long he'll be around as we keep only real cats (not "fixed") who eventually go over the walls to party after the day job of catching mice. We will enjoy him for the time being and not worry about the future.





I am always delighted when I manage to catch moments like this. Digital technology fills me with wonder and gives me a sense of luxury. The abundance of imagery is magical. I usually don't like to draw or stitch from photos, but I may have to make an exception. The idea of the cat hat tickles my imagination. 

Magic Carpets: The Wild Ones

Saving the best for last. In the official carpet and rug world, these pieces would probably be classified as outsider art. Untamed designs and the wild use of color point to innocent genius.

The most sedate of the group, this pile floral rug has lost a lot of its color. Notice the leaf designs that create the grid for the flower motifs: small leaves similar to a feather design running in one direction, and single leaves end-to-end in the other direction.



The ragged edges on the next rug suggest that it has received much wear.

It must have glowed in the dark when it was new!

One rarely finds dates on rugs so this pile rug is unusual with its "1984" worked into the design.



This dark pink rug still sings and dances despite years of wear.

This rug is right off the charts. In my mind, it's so ugly it's cute.

And last, but not least, and my favorite as well: an eight-pointed star design. It must be the stars that please me--so quilt-like. Or is it the wild colors and crazy border?

Drat! I should've taken this one home, too. 

When so many gorgeous rugs are displayed at a craft show, they overwhelm the spectator. It is difficult to "see" much of anything. I have enjoyed taking a second and closer look and I hope you have enjoyed the magic of these rugs and carpets as well.

Magic Carpets, 3

At the craft show, the beautiful old flat-weaves commanded attention. 





I suppose these are 30 to 40 years old. Lovely weaving, beautiful combination of colors.

There are occasionally surprising touches, like the pink and purple strips in the middle of the diamonds.


















And the borders are of interest; they're a sort of signature.


                                                           
                               

The use of black makes the colors pop out, dramatic.











The warm colors (and especially the pinks) with that soft blue-gray make this rug (r.) sing for me.


Ahh, but my favorite, the one that not only sings, but dances for me:

Such craftsmanship and what an amazing combination of colors. I'm usually not a fan of acid green, but here it's perfect. I wouldn't have dared...Drat! Why didn't I take this one home?

Finally, Yes, Finally--Of Course

Finally, yes, finally, the Tunisian Constitutional Assembly finished a new constitution. Finally, yes, finally, the international news carried it and there was a big hoop-la-la on the local news. Finally, yes, finally, the Prime Minister (from the ruling religious party) stepped down, and finally, yes, finally, the National Dialogue (organized by the most important Labor Union) agreed on a new Prime Minister, supposedly neutral. Finally, yes, finally, the new Prime Minister formed a new and supposedly neutral government [I mean really, do you believe in Santa Claus?]. And finally, yes, finally, the international financial institutions began pumping money into Tunisia's weakened financial structure.

Of course, the ruling religious party left only because they had diligently placed its members in key positions in major national companies, and in central, regional and local governments. Of course, the Constitutional Assembly (dominated by the out-going religious party) has voted to keep itself in power. Of course, the Constitutional Assembly has not yet created an electoral law or set a date for elections. Of course, the old Minister of the Interior remains. Of course, the President of the Republic (who has very few tasks and little power) remains in place. Of course, the economy's abysmal performance seems to concern politicians little, as long as their pocketbooks are plump. Of course,...well, the list is long.

In laymen's terms: 

things are holding together, but, are in a tangled mess. 

Now you may understand why my artwork is often so entangled. 

As my sketchbook page indicates, I'm just going with the flow. 

Magic Carpets, 2

This craft show in Tunis with its numerous rug dealers created an enjoyable break in daily routine, a feast for the eyes. A bed cover caught my eye with its strong design. Made from natural dyes, the original owner from ElJem wove it for her dowry.

A Klim rug from SidiBouzid wowed me--whoa what color! I love looking at it and trying to figure out the wonkiness (the design is slightly off). 

But I'm not sure I could live with it. Over the top!












Much calmer, this Klim rug comes from Kasserine; sedate with a nice border.

Can't resist the blue rugs as they are less frequent.












This Mergoum rug from Gafsa contains a wonderful series of colors that blend from one to the other in part because of the designs within each wide stripe.

An unusual black and white structured mergoum rug beckoned to me. Black and white is always dramatic and with those wild solid colors...drat I should've taken this one home!

A close up to give an idea of the detail in the work.

Meet Ali Allani, a rug dealer from Kairoun who had a number of interesting old rugs. 

This lovely old mergoum is slightly faded, however, one can only gaze in wonder at the exquisite handwork. I had bedside rugs similar in design and color, however, they wore out with use and have become pillows. 

I am told the weavers no longer do this type of work.

And (of course) saving the craziest ones for last!