I intended to write something here about the past year in review but when you're working in academia the calendar year has less meaning than the academic one. I feel that, with 2013 just beginning, I ought to have completed some things and be on the brink of beginning others. Instead I find myself in the middle of the trickiest year of my PhD so far: THE FINAL YEAR OF DOOM. I am writing and editing and writing and editing and getting feedback and editing. It seems an endless cycle further complicated by the niggling voice in the back of my head reminding me that when the cycle finishes I will need to find a job.
So instead of moaning here are some uplifting tapestries for January:
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| 2009 and 2010 Diaries, Tommye McClure Scanlin, image from here. |
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| 2012 Diary in Progress, Tommye McClure Scanlin, image from here. |
I have only just discovered the blog of Tommye McClure Scanlin. Tommye is based in the US and for the past few years have woven a tapestry diary for each calender year. Alongside her usual tapestry weaving projects, she weaves a small section of tapestry every day, reflecting her thoughts or mood. This has struck me as a fascinating idea. To commit to such a project means allowing yourself time, every day, to disconnect from your daily work or chores and tap into what you have been feeling. She is not the only weaver to create tapestry diaries but I enjoy seeing how they have changed in style, colour and form from year to year. The tapestries look so beautiful and tantalising - I only wish I could see one in person.
Wow! Mary Lane just sent me an email to say that this post was here. Thanks so much for finding my blog and mentioning my tapestry diary work. Several other people are also doing daily bits, as you've mentioned. You might want to look for Jan Austin's Tangled Web blog and also the blog of Janette Meetze to see what they are up to. I continue to be challenged by the small daily increments... and am already planning for 2014.
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