Birdie and I are in our happy place today.
I got ever so slightly sidetracked from what I started last week. I had to interrupt proceedings to deal with the scraps box, which was overflowing (and I forgot, in my distraction, to obtain photographic evidence of said abundance, but I know you’ve all seen an overflowing scraps box before, and I bet most of you have one of your own). I need the scraps box for something else right now, and that was a whole other sidetracking experience, cutting out lots and lots of paper piecing scraps. The scraps box is now temporarily a patchwork-pieces box, holding it all together.
I sorted the scraps pile into lots of smaller collages where every tiny fragment will have its place.
I’ve also rounded up some very tiny/narrow strips and offcuts – selvedges, hems, seams, rolled hems from chiffon scarves etc) – all of which can – and will – be used.
The tiny strips can be stitched across the collaged pieces quite effectively:
There are a few little collages so far; these are about 4 or 5″ square:
I’m thinking of them as spots of time, a la Wordsworth (yes, Wordsworth again – no better poet, in my view, for exploring themes of experience, loss, and memory). In his long poem The Prelude, Wordsworth describes spots of time as moments that become profound memories with the capacity to rejuvenate and repair. I think most of the square collages might become round eventually:
This one I think might just be complete as it is:
A square spot of time perhaps. I guess memories come in all shapes and sizes.
Spare a thought for poor birdie, though. I will be dismantling his nest.
