Tuesday, July 03, 2007

How do you like me now?

So, in the past week I have discovered that one acquaintance from high school has a movie, The Painted Veil, that he both produced and starred in, on my cable's On Demand. I have another friend from grade school through high school who was on "The O'Reilly Factor" about boycotting the new release of Hairspray. The best man from our wedding just returned from a week of rebuilding a church in New Orleans. (He is the tall one in the back on the left.) And what am I doing? I am teaching algebra to at-risk students. Not that it isn't an important job that I am very excited about taking on, it just seems a little lackluster at the moment.

In order to combat my feelings of inadequacy, because all three of these men would think that teaching algebra to at-risk students is important, I decided to work on my piece for Fiber Art Fusion's show, Messages of Hope. (I have also been working on my Trip Around the World, but I need some variety in my life!) I made the background piece and designed a tree. But then I decided I didn't like any of my fabric for the tree bark, so I decided to try to tea dye something to thread paint. I only have herbal tea, so I hope that works. The leaves of the tree are going to be made of camouflage and button onto the tree. There will be a yellow ribbon around the tree. (I get to go back to Nicholas's shop to buy his most fabulous yellow ribbon.) Here is what I have done so far...

And the tea dyeing...

6 comments:

Kay said...

I like the start, and am looking forward to seeing more.

Debra Dixon said...

Please don't compare yourself to anyone! You are the best that you can be and everyone in your classes will be lucky to have you for a teacher. Your kiddos are lucky to have you for a mom. Your husband is lucky to have you for a wife. We are lucky to have you for a friend.

QuiltingFitzy said...

Oh Jules, I like this start!!

Rian said...

I second what Debra said.

Many years ago I had a fortune cookie that I saved in my wallet and I think it bears repeating here:

"Avoid those who cause you to question yourself."

I love the tree--this is good stuff! Very creative!

Granny Fran said...

What could possibly be more relevant and important than assisting at risk children?! You are my hero. You're also a great fiber artist.

Anonymous said...

Jules, teaching at-risk kids IS important, and something I could never do. You are taking the gifts God gave you and putting them to use. We all have different gifts, but it's the same Spirit that inspires us. Keep up the great work!