Book Arrived! Natural Processes in Textile Art by Alice Fox

I know  you have been waiting for this moment as eagerly as I have.  I picked up the package from my doorstep last night.  It was all I could do to wait until I had time to open it.

Just as I got it open, all hell breaks loose and I spend the next 2 1/2 hours dealing with issues as CAAWS President!  Lots of phone calls and information, but finally it was taken care of and I had the book in my lap again.

My first impression:  When I tore open the package and lifted the book out, my hands felt the velvety smoothness of the cover material.  This is like no book I have ever held.  The cover feels like suede.  I spent significant time stroking the front and back cover.  Really.  This is almost as good as the inside!

Of course I made Frank touch it too, and he was surprised.  If I had been in a public place, EVERYONE would have been stroking this book!

On the flyleaf, an introduction is written that totally sums up what this book is about.

Alice Fox says, "The desire to use collected items and natural dyeing techniques in art is part of a growing movement to be more sustainable...more and more textile artists are using natural processes in their work, from dyeing with rust to working with found or scavenged items, and this book is the first to bring the increasingly popular techniques together.  It promotes a way of working creatively with what is close at hand, whether gathered on walks by the seashore or collected in your garden and working in tune with natural processes, binging the rhythms and unpredictability of nature into your work."

That is all me.  All me.  It is what I desire.  It is what I long for.  I want to go live with her.

Last night in bed, fighting sleep, I read the first pages.  The photos are incredible, her words are soft and pleasant.  It is as if she is talking to you and not writing to you.  That in itself is a talent.

She talks about collecting, storing, using, mordants, weaving, paper, fabric, using stuff you have, using stuff you find.

Hopefully as i get more and more into this book, and use the techniques and learn from her teachings, I will have unbelievable things to show you.

Thank you to all the people who found this book.  I placed the first order and days later received notice the order had been cancelled because the book was not in print.  I did finally find it through Barnes and Nobel.

Now I just might give Charlene all my fabric except for the muslin and linen stuff, and do only this forever!  LOL.

The bookmark I am using is a Best of Opposite Sex ribbon that my beautiful Dutch won at Perry GA in 2007.  Of that, I am very proud!  That means he was the best male in the ring and the only dog who beat him that day was the girl who won Best in Breed.

Now I am going to walk...........