Been awhile. This is me getting clear to my elbows.

Seeing the far side of Spring Break rear up I feel... fine. Surprised to feel that way, too. I've been towing the line on my semester plan and at every turn it has seemed a mountain of work but no tears, no pain, some frustrations sure but nothing that made me feel those wonderful anguished pangs of yuck.

Prior to leaving I was struggling with one of my fabric patterns. The new colorways came off of the loom and holding the goods I thought, "Ugh, this still isn't working. It's not fitting. I'm pushing it too hard." Then, one magical and relaxing week and a gentle helping of perspective later... it's perfect. Needs some washing to get rid of some technical issues but as a design, as color work, it works. It drapes beautifully. It's a design based on postcards and handwritten notes with spots of color where the stamps and signatures would be. It's amazing what a little time off can do for you.

My thesis is brought to you by the concept of Familial Nostalgia: the compulsion to make, preserve and share memories. Given my desire to evoke a range of emotional responses it seemed appropriate to work in a vintage color scheme that would tie into the act of remembering itself. Colors that evoke rummaging in your grandparents' attic, flea marketing, family albums and other such things. To achieve that effect I first assembled a color palette of actual objects.

An excerpt from the written document thus far:
"More than simple color swatches each material choice speaks volumes. The weight, luster, color, texture, transparency or opacity of an object gives it meaning. Considering how to evoke emotional, gut reactions it made sense to include a variety of textures, colors and constructions unique to specific end uses. Rough, charcoal-colored wools inspire memories of old school jumpers, nubbly, blue tweeds bring airline stewardesses and women’s day suiting to mind. Cool and shiny metal zippers speak to a kind of craftsmanship seldom seen on store shelves today. The very touch and sounds of these material objects sets the stage for the experience or memory and nostalgia. Other materials to suggest delicacy: the soft drape of an embroidered hankie, tiny holes worked into eyelet lace. Soft, printed leather giving a surprising pop of color like the feeling of finding the kid gloves your grandmother tucked into her top drawer. Overall tones of warmth and comfort help reinforce the positive qualities of memory.

Color creates associations. More than just warm tones to create positive feelings an overall yellowing helps to further reinforce the sensation of time passing, objects left behind and the act of remembering. Like old books and photos that yellow and curl around the edges this same muted tinge was an important quality to capture in a range of fabrics. More than tea staining or using shades of yellow itself it became important to find ways to blend colors so that they were softer, dustier. Like opening a trunk in the attic and seeing light spill over objects long folded away color was the first step in creating a strong sense of time, place and emotion."

I hope to post up some pictures of the works in progress soon. Every now and then I feel a little breathing room, see a few more things checked off of the long to do list and get to feeling more confident in the end result.

Got any pearls of wisdom to bestow on a lady working on her graduate thesis? Wing 'em at me!