I've been practicing the seed stitch Melissa taught me in her workshop last month. And also taking her advice on choosing thread color that I can actually see (rather than match) what's on my print. The first is an eco-print of an onion skin on paper & I stitched over a wild grass that came out blurry in the print. Any feedback? I don't like that triangle shape at the top, would like to to get it more wavy like grass. The next print with the red flowers is what I plan to do next, maybe in the same green. Or maybe not.

I’m unable to join on Sunday as I’m traveling. Wanted to share an interesting experience I had with collage while in Vietnam a few weeks ago. I spent one morning visiting Lang Van Phuc, a silk village 30 minutes from downtown Hanoi. The village is well known for its traditional weaving, and silk products. 90% of the people who live in the village are involved in the silk industry. We saw beautiful silk, watched it being woven on traditional looms. But the highlight of the visit was when we happened upon Vun Art, an organization that employs disabled people (mostly autistic and deaf/mute) to create fabric collages from scrap fabric. We were invited into their workshop. Around a table were maybe 10 adults who were cutting fabric shapes from scrap cloth following specific patterns. They people were extremely friendly, a few actually spoke some English, they asked our names. Then we learned more, visiting two other work spaces and seeing some of the finished work. To be in this space where people who are often seen as less than being treated with respect and value was so moving. We met and spoke with the founder of the organization at length. The tasks were divided as the individuals were not all capable of completing a piece from start to finish And of course we bought something. This was my 3rd time visiting Vietnam. On our first visit, in 2014, we traveled to Sapa, at the north end of the country, almost at the Chinese border. Among our many activities was a trek through terraced rice patties and a home stay. Sapa is populated by minority peoples including the Hmong. We were fortunate to have lunch at the home of our guide. How special it was to be welcomed into her home, with its dirt floor, exposed lights bulbs and her grandmother sitting by the fire. A woman who had seen few white people in her lifetime (per the guide). Lunch was delicious, I often think, these are the people who will survive in an apocalypse. They grow their own food, raise their animals, spin thread and weave their own clothes. How generous to open their lives to us. I’m attaching a photo of our guides grandmother. Why am I telling you this, well im also attacking a photo of the fabric collage we bought. As you will see it was a circular experience.