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Glad you could join me. I'm stitching a life together bit by bit.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Remembering Was

 Ode to Was




Was was a cat of a friend of mine.  
A very special cat, for she was involved in magical happenings in the great state of New York, in a humble home, not much different than yours or mine.  In this home a great deal of stitching occurs, along with What If-ing, some tea drinking, and the growing of things both wild and free.  Amongst the dandelions, lettuce, dye pots and cloth, roamed a mystical grey cat that wandered into the house many years ago and decided to stay.




Here, Was found a warm lap, a cozy fire place, tasty food, and the most wondrous napping places this side of the pond. The places of rest were places of magic too, with bits of cloth and thread finding a home and telling their stories.  Stories of everyday things, like stones, ripples in the water, apples, leaves and love.  Now, that love was so big, so strong, that it couldn't be contained in one little patch of Earth.  
So jude, Was's friend and path walker, started sharing the stories on a diary open to the world.  
People stopped by and took a peak at these stories, and some stayed to listen.  

A small gathering of people formed around jude and Was.




 This group shared its feelings and thoughts day to day to day, and came to know one another.  
Not the kind of knowing that happens at work, 
but the kind of knowing that happens at play, during a daydream, where ideas blossom.  
Was was there too, with the group; sometimes hiding, sometimes sleeping, and sometimes sparking new ideas.




jude believed in sharing - and so she set about to teach this group of listeners some of the ideas that she had developed over a lifetime of weaving, sewing, and story telling.  The friends drew near, and watched eagerly as each new lesson appeared.  With new ideas, came the magic, the seed that sprouted within each person and manifested in a unique experience for that person.  And there was Was, watching and guiding, giving life to new ideas, and just noticing those things in front of her.


 







The friends grew closer, and began to share their stories, experiences and art work.  
A community formed, and people in the same area began to meet each other.  
Women in Australia, began to talk.  Women from Texas, Illinois, Japan, England, and Connecticut began to talk.  Women from Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, Bend and Iceland began to talk.  And there were men too, like Joe, stitching away.  And Grace, she always had something interesting to say - or just shared her wonder and excitement in the process.  And more places than I can count.




 Then one day not so long ago, Was slipped away from us all, and continued on her journey.  
Her next life. 
Things changed a little, for the silver grey magic had moved on. 
 And the nine patch became the nine lives patch.



The ring of friendship continues. 
To jude, I offer thanks for bringing us together.  
To Was, I wish you safe travels and much love on your next journey.





For jude, a small pot to keep threads and memories.





I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)
I am never without it (anywhere I go you go, my dear; 
and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling) 
I fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)
I want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true) 
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you 
here is the deepest secret nobody knows 
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; 
which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide) 
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart 
I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart) 
















Other candle links can be found with Sandra.
The cloths in these pictures are by jude.
The porcelain pixie pots, sculpture of a woman holding a cat, and small pots are by Mette and Sissel, my good friends from Santa Barbara, CA.

41 comments:

jude said...

You! are an amazing story teller.

Reets said...

Please come. . . . and help me lift my jaw up from the floor. This has to be one of the most awesome posts I have ever seen. The power of just a few wondrous artists rolled out together like a magnificent blanket telling a tale that is just so moving. Sent to me...the fortunate one. Thank you with all of my heart.
.....Peace Was.

Janet said...

jude - I sit in the circle around the master of story telling. So glad to be part of the magic. Small lives can touch so many.

Reets, thank you. I've been caught in the web of spirit cloth and have so enjoyed it! Was was mystical - she would be in a picture, and I wouldn't see her at first; then I would realize it was her - appearing and dissapearing before me. She was just that kind of cat.

grace Forrest~Maestas said...

Janet...
just more than i could ever
imagine, ever. this is
i don't know what.
this is such an expression
of Love.
Blessings Upon You, and All
of Us and and and.

suzanna said...

Oh, this is exquisite, and how true it all is...

deb said...

Beautiful story, beautiful cloths, amazing pottery - love the detail on those hats!

kitchen backsplash said...

Hey
Art Journey
Many Thanks, I'm very glad to peer your post
An interesting dialogue is worth comment
Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Such an amazing gift of love and memory!
I'm touched by your words and sensibility and very grateful for this "companionship of listeners"...
There will always be a Was in my heart....
elizabeth fortes

Janet said...

It is heart warming to see everyone's embracing response. I appreciate everyone's thoughts - I have been different, changed, since becoming part of the spirit cloth world. Was was very much a part of the circle too - and still is, just in a different form.

sweet pea jewelry said...

these are crazy cool!!!

Janet said...

Hey Sandy! Thanks for coming by.... crazy cool, crazy beautiful. I was much inspired by art and friends and magical things and beings.

deanna7trees said...

i am just seeing this. the tears are rolling down my face. beautiful and amazing...all of it.

Ms. said...

Deanna sent you to me, and I'm utterly moved and delighted by this tribute. How truly beautiful. I quickly became a "follower" adding you to blogs I read. I'm so grateful to Jude, and Deanna, and all this community of stitching and rag friends. Sometimes life just feels so right.

Janet said...

Deanna and Ms. - thanks so much for coming by and reading. I too value this community tremendously. Its wonderful how many lives have been woven together - all of us creating in our own way.

helen said...

Oh! You made me cry. So incredibly beautiful.....the ladies with their magic hats, the cauldron dye pot, Jude and Was....aaahh....so good. What a tribute. Very glad I found it.

Janet said...

Hi Helen! Glad you wandered over here. Its good to remember.... especially about the important things.

sally.wilson said...

Janet, I always thought you should become a writer, story teller, and illustrator. This was a most moving tribute (ode) to Was - a precious cat who was loved by Spirit Cloth readers and by the special people that Was chose to care for her. Was knew that Jude and her man were the best and we all know that she was a special spirit. Love you, Mom

Els said...

Hi Janet,
this is really a-ma-zing !!!!!
Love the (true) story and all these wonderful dolls !
Great way to remember that good old Was ! (ánd honour Jude ;-) !)

Yvette said...

oooh sweetie, this is so special...

thanks for telling
thanks for sharing

you make our circle around Jude so visible, vivid and show how being friends

can I link?

Nancy said...

Absolutely amazing, so deeply touching...I'm speechless for this. Thank you for telling this story. Thanks to Deanna for sending me here.

Janet said...

I would love you to link it Yvette. That is so sweet!

The more we circle around each other, the better. I've enjoyed being a part of this group so much - what a difference it has made for us all. Can't wait for the time we meet at jude's workshop - can you imagine?

Thanks to jude for sharing Was with us too!
She was precious - and remains so.

Doris said...

I´m too very touched by the way you tell this story. I found it by intuition today and it will accompany me for a while. Thank you!

Sandra said...

Oh, Janet, there are tears in my eyes. Such a beatiful story and image of Jude, WAS and all of us around them.

Rhonda Halushka said...

This was a beautiful tribute to WAS and also a wonderful confirmation of the magical weaving Jude has done to bring us all together. Thank you.

Janet said...

Thanks for the support and for the wonderful response. It stems from the bond we all feel.

Doris - that is pretty good intuition! I'm glad it brought you here.

Sandra - thanks so much for spreading the word to light a candle - I knew that I wanted to be a part of that!

Rhonda - we have become woven, haven't we. Part of a beautiful woven cloth.

Anonymous said...

It's so magical, your words, Jude's story, together. I too have followed and been inspired this last year by Was/Jude/Magic and even the Sisters. I collect their work too whenever they pop up. Thank you for putting it all in one place, a diary of a diary......

ElisabethB said...

I love your article Janet. Thank you to share this us the Sisters' product. So talented !!!!!

Mo Crow said...

this is such a beautiful tribute Janet !

Jacky said...

So heartwarming...such a beautiful post. Remembering.

We are so lucky to be part of this group of cloth mates. To be part of Judes cloth world...and lucky to have known Was.

You are a wonderful story teller.

Jacky xox

p.s. I came over from Deanna's blog too.

Janet said...

Thanks again for stopping by to read and share. Remembering is wonderful; it takes us to a new level of understanding.

I've know the Sister, Mette and Sissel, since 2000, when I lived in Santa Barbara, CA. That was a magical time, when I wasn't working (which was most of the time). They sell their work at the beach show every Sunday - its great fun to walk along the beach looking at everyone's hand crafted art. But sitting and talking with the Sisters is the best part for me - just catching up on everything and enjoying the atmosphere.

Hey anonymous - I'd love to know who you are. I'm sure you've got some treasures.

Cheryl Razmus said...

Wow, Janet I am just catching up on my blog reading and didn't know about this amazing tribute. I am awestruck by your kindness and generosity in writing about Jude's circle. Makes me feel a little selfish to always write about myself and what I do. But then, I can see you are a true storyteller and know how to open your heart to include those spirits who have touched you. A wonderful lesson in so many ways.

Joe Madl said...

oh my goodness! i am sitting here drenched in tears of both joy and sorry as i read this! janet, you are a most amazing woman! thank you for sharing this tribute... i have placed a post on my blog linking back to your post...

wow! there just aren't words enough...

namaste'
joe

Valerianna said...

A few tears here, and a wide open heart of apprecitation. What a wonderful thing here... beautiful!

Mo'a said...

Oh, Janet!!! this is so wonderful. I am sorry to say that I did not see this before today.
Thank you for linking me :)
I lovelovelove your story and the way you told it. As Jude said you are an amazing story teller.
I love the dolls/sculptures. I just bookmarked the sisters web site..
Thank you for this.

I kid you not the verification words are huntres cativa

Lynne said...

What an incredible post. Jude -and Was - brought so many of us together and now you have done the same thing. Inspired. Thank you.

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Janet. Just came over from Spirit Cloth to admire your lovely blog. This is an amazing post--a beautiful text illustrated by beautiful artwork. So thoughtful. I enjoyed dropping in.
best from Tunisia,
nadia

Janet said...

Thanks again - everyone has been so supportive - I'm glad to have reached so many people here - the connections just keep forming.

Cheryl - I so enjoy your blog - it should be your story - that's what makes it unique - so please keep going in your own way.

Joe - its good to see you here! Thanks for the link! I so enjoy seeing what you are making too.

Nadia - I recently saw your blog too - amazing! Tx
Mo'a - that huntress cativa just made me laugh - it was meant to be.

loveseat sleeper said...

Hi
Art Journey
Plenty of helpful info here, Excellent publish admin! Keep up your work.

eva a(r)t work said...

Hi, this is very touching!
I'll be just around the corner in October: we're going to be in Oregon for 2 weeks. We will come to Vancouver WA too.
Would be great meeting someone from Jude's circle of friends.
Best wishes,
eva

meenakshi said...

hi Janet im new to your blog and its very inspiring im writing you from India and really like your blog...i have a small question u attended Alisa retreat this week and i saw the pictures i need a small help i was just wondering which brand notebook journal are those for coloring and sketching the ladies were using in the pictures we saw..looks gr8 quality and so many sheets in one notebook.please let me know what brand.:) very urgent..

lulu moonwood murakami said...

This is such a beautifully written post, Janet. What a wonderful muse Was must have been. Love Jude's textile art and the pottery and figurines, too!