Continuing my year into July with more live zoom classes, I began to think a lot about the presentation I had done the previous month for a Stitches event - and a comment that was made during the question and answer period. Kati, one of my Waterline buddies, asked if I’d considered weaving larger scaled rya wall hangings again. I actually had considered it - but only fleetingly. With her question hanging in my mind, I began to seriously consider it.

The month continued with more traveling as I attended my first Convergence in Knoxville, TN. I wrote extensively both about some of the exhibits I saw and the ATA Fiona Hutchison workshop, so no need to go into that here.

Progress July through August showing heavy random Soumak section with both single and double variations. And a paper yarn I was introduced to at Convergence proved to be just what I’d been searching for.

Once home again, our daughter, (she/her; they/them) came for a visit through the first part of August; an escape from the mind-numbing city back to the prairie. We share the studio during these visits and cherish the brainstorming sessions we have. Often times we’ve been struck by how closely our works are connected through various stages in our lives. This month brought new directions for both of us.

Hazel Tully, *Prairie Rose*; 12”x 12 1/2” x 3”; Kansas Flint Hills prairie grasses, embroidery thread

They began a more sculptural and intuitive approach to their basket weaving as they collected fresh prairie grasses each day. I discovered a new style of weaving as I began weaving Like Rain Falling, a direct result of Kati’s query.

Oh, and Hazel and I put together twelve new EPiC Value Packs! Playing with color is one of our favorite activities. Although they work mostly in monochrome, they do have an amazing color sense!

Above: 12 new color packs- not on website yet, but coming soon.

Plans were also “growing” for the upcoming trip to the UK: the opening of Waterline. A masterclass with Joan Baxter was added after the exhibit opening - along with a Scottish Road Trip before. Lots of logistics to consider; a large part of my time was spent planning the smoothest route.

In addition, I taught another new class for Stitches, Weave Me a Picture, which I thoroughly enjoyed and made mental plans to repeat in the future in a similar form.

In early September I began to be concerned about the two projects I’d begun. I knew I would be gone close to 4 weeks and I was a little concerned about the two weavings I was involved in at this point. Along with Like Rain…, I had also seriously been making progress on the weaving that had been languishing on the Shannock.

I’d never gone away in the midst of intense weaving before. What would happen when I came back? Would I step back into the flow like I’d never left? Or would the magic disappear …

I decided to get each piece to a solid point where it would be easy to return to, wind a bunch of butterflies in preparation, and store them away. It was not easy, and a little sad, to set those projects aside, but it was the only way. And besides, I had a lot of strategic packing to do. I left for the first leg of my trip on September 21st.

Top left: Waterline and those of us that made it to the exhibit (click for expanded image); Top right: a scene from the Joan Baxter Transparency Workshop; Bottom left: in Fiona Hutchison’s studio with Sara Brennan; Bottom right: one of the many stunning views on the travel from Ardgour to Glasgow.

I spent a good part of October continuing travels through the UK and Scotland. More on this in a future post. Suffice it to say it was loaded with lush landscapes, new friendships, a warm sense of community - and adventures!

Returning home on the 17th, in recovery mode and battling what became a sinus infection, not much was accomplished the remainder of the month. However, I did work on some small projects in preparation for the Wrap it Up exhibit coming in November.

More travels and teaching in November: this time at Stitches SoCal in Pasadena, CA. The color blending class was especially fun to teach. I also paid a visit to my son to see what he’d been up to. He’d moved to working large scale earlier in the fall and I was curious to see his progress.

Ray with friend, Shellie Bender, looking over drawings

Still in recovery mode… but I managed to get back to both weavings before the end of the month.

Progress on the 6 foot wide (to be 1 foot high) tapestry, photographed on December 27th. Still no title.

In December, I finished Like Rain Falling… a great way to end the year.

*Like Rain Falling on the Prairie;* 21” x 16.75”; cotton, wool, silk

Looking back, it was definitely a year of discovery; one filled with adventures, excitement, and budding friendships. Looking forward to what the new year will bring.

My (not always) Tapestry Highlights 2022 continued