It seems like I've only just barely gotten started on this latest Ocean inspired project, but it's almost time for the Open Studio event already! (I gotta get some more spinning and crocheting done ASAP!!)

Please consider joining us live via Google Meet on Tuesday, March 10th, at 11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern time. Registration is free!

Here's my current state of progress:

Who thinks I can spin that big pile of fiber on the left, ply it, wash it, let it dry, and get it crocheted (along with crocheting the other three pieces) by Tuesday morning?? 😆

The challenge of a residency program is both good and bad, sometimes. It can be stressful! (And require full body massages upon completion, lol.)

Without it, though, I would not have completed this work. I wouldn't have even started it, actually, even though I had the idea for this series well over a year ago.

And so I'm thankful for the opportunity/kick in the pants to bring this vision to life!

Although, I won't actually finish these until after the virtual exhibition opens because I will need to custom order wood panels for mounting them on once I know their finished sizes.

Sometimes I work a piece to fit a specific size panel, but I really prefer to allow the handspun yarn to control the finished size. It makes the entire creation process feel much more intuitive and organic (kind of like my floral paintings)! I love starting with an idea and then allowing the colors to come together and play however they like. Mostly.

I can't wait to see how these four pieces turn out!

And they all should end up being totally wearable-as-cowls sized pieces of fabric, too, ha ha! Though I think they're going to be really lovely hung on a wall side by side, telling their stories of ocean waters and sand and sky across the shores of Oahu.

So don't forget to register for the Open Studio session so you can see if I make the deadline! 😆

Obviously, I can't spin yarn non-stop. I need to take breaks!

Sometimes they're stretching breaks and sometimes they're painting breaks, which I have to say I prefer!

We're now on day... 12? 13? of the 100 Day Project and this year I'm determined to complete the entire collection of 100 pieces! So far so good, it seems, and the first ten have made it into my Etsy shop, too:

They're going to make such a beautiful little wild garden, don't you think!?

I love the expressive linework and the messy abstract backgrounds and the totally made up blossoms, ha ha. They're just so... free and joyful!

Which one is your favorite so far??

All right, I better stop procrastinating and go get back to my spinning. And crocheting. Wish me luck, y'all!

I'm going to need it.

-Connie

P.S. I don't have any new cute baby chicken photos to share this week because I've been so busy, but how about a wave hello from one of the parakeets that visit our bird feeder?