January 29, 2014: Running Out of Fingers

Today marks two months since I began this project.  I'm getting better and working each day's work on time, rather than letting the days pile up.

It's true that we are 'fearfully and wonderfully made' (Psalm 139:14); in real life, our skin generally heals over after being pricked.  Alas, however, my fabric fingers do not; they show every mark -- and after a mere 62 days, I've used up the "usual" spots on one hand where finger-pricks for blood sugar testing would have happened.  I've had to move on to the second hand.  Clearly, before this piece is finished, there will be needle marks all over the two-dimensional hands:

First Hand - January 2014

Second Hand as of January 29, 2014

The "air" (blue) and upper arm work continues apace; you should be able to get a closer view by clicking on the photo:

The silk thread (blue and flesh-coloured) has been a bit of a bear to work with, sliding silently out of the needle's eye when I least expect it, knotting up, splitting...but I've persisted because it gives me the tiny marks I want.  I've taken to praying before I begin stitching each day; blessedly, this seems to work.

I took a step outside my comfort zone this month, and posted a link to this blog on the JDRF Canada Facebook page.  Although no one has stopped to comment as a result (as far as I know), the page views have increased steadily.  I am still thinking about taking the work to the Edmonton Symposium in March...

Thanks for stopping by...pause now to remember someone you know who is dependent on insulin for his/her very survival.

Day 31: It's Been a Month

January 1, 2014.

Although I've been stitching faithfully every day, this post is a back-track to December 29, 2013 -- one month or 31 days with the piece.

"Air" and Upper Arm - Dec. 29, 2013

Fingers - Dec. 29, 2013

It's taken no time to realize I'm not going to be able to be true-to-life with these stitches.  The blue stitches in the "air" outside the body are going to be few and far between; the red stitches are going to take over both hands -- not just the finger-tips -- and the flesh-coloured stitches will land where they may.

I've also discovered that I can't miss more than one day.  Trying to do three days' worth of stitches just after Christmas was a chore, which misses the intent of the project.

There's a JDRF Symposium in Edmonton in March; wondering if I should attend -- and stitch while I'm there.  Hmmm....

On to 2014.

Day 8: A Full Week In

December 7, 2013.

The first week has passed with stitching every day.  I find myself in a modicum of awe (if awe can be experienced in small quantities) that I will be working on this piece in much the same way a year from now, and two years from now.

Judy Martin continues to inspire, with her post today about Canadian artist Paterson Ewen (1925-2002).  I'd never heard of him (a testament to my lack of formal art training), but am now enticed to explore and educate myself on his work.  I particularly like the fact that he attempted to build texture into his painting by switching from canvas to plywood as a substrate.  I think how much easier it is for us who work in textiles to create texture by layering, applique, stitch, felting, selection of materials...without the physical force required to create in his style.

Even my wee marks create texture:

8 Days of Stitch: Upper Arm and Air Above

8 Days of Stitch: Fingers

Marks to date (Nov. 29 - Dec. 6 inclusive):

• Pre-diagnosis - Blue: 24
• Injections - Flesh-tone: 192
• Blood sugar tests - Red: 136

Day 1: First Marks

Mirror, Alberta, Canada
November 29, 2013.

N.B.: This will not be a daily post.  It might not even be weekly. Probably monthly...or as the Spirit leads.  My Scots Presbyterian/Methodist ancestors may be rolling over in their graves, but my Anglican forebears understand.  "It is what it is" and I listen for the call...

Today's stitching began far later than intended.  In the vernacular, "Life Got in the Way"...I upgraded my internet connections...I had to make fudge for the First (Annual?) Christmas Open House & Tea at the (Mirror & District) Museum, which happens Sunday...I had lunch with my friend C...I worked 2 hours in The Shop (not counting 1/2 hour travel time each way)...and finished a Christmas gift for my sister...

But I eventually managed....

First stitches ... "blue" on the left; "peach" on the right

Fingertips...

I wonder how I'll fit all the finger-pricks onto the limited number of fingers...