There are some frightening things going on. The war in Ukraine is beyond upsetting. It’s challenging to focus and think about pretty things. I’m on the other side of the world from the people who live there and cannot imagine their terror. My heart goes out to all Ukrainians, their families and loved ones.

I do what little I can and then turn to my work. I cut and sew, piece and stitch, and make things with the hope that they might somehow bring a little light to the darkness.

With that in mind, I’m posting pictures of some of my more recent pieces. Three jackets finished and ready to be shown at the Smithsonian Craft Show, April 20-24.

A new jacket, inspired by this beautiful black kimono silk with a woven, gold cherry blossom design. I’ve added gold appliquéd squares and beads.

I highlighted the design with the beads, trying to keep them at a minimum so as to not distract. Then I added the appliquéd squares to balance out the patterns.

The back. Depending on how the light hits, the gold glimmers between a total gold and a subtle green.

I think I’ve mentioned,… that I love these fabrics. I see the evidence of the human hands that made them. I save all the little leftovers from every project, then use them in new.

A jacket, pieced from the remainders from a couple of projects, including the first jacket in this post.

I enjoy the process of laying out the pieces, balancing the colors and patterns. This one used fabrics from two different kimonos, each with its own family crest. You can see one of them below.

And the second one in the center of the back.

Lastly, from a gorgeous kimono silk with an oh so cool woven pattern of river rock shapes.

A few of the amoeba-like shapes had little pink dots around them, I added beads around all the others.

A detail for an up close view.

And the back.

These and others will have their first viewing at the Smithsonian Craft Show, this April.

I am so looking forward to being there and seeing my friends and customers, old and new!