In from the cold

June thanks for your comment regarding my canvas. Photos of the party & more canvases will be posted on the 2QAQ blog during the coming week. We all had a wonderful ARTrageous party in the Gallery, the air conditioning barely coping with the heat & humidity of the day, in stark contrast to the snowy conditions in Siberia. Bob, in my orange hat, is back with some great photos of the harsh wintery conditions endured by the people living there. L-R Vladimir, Bob, Fyodor Aleksandovich.

Stitching, stitching, stitching

I have been stictching, stitching, stitching on the wash away with more to go today. To get some relief from the monotony I have also been working on a few small things, using some of the luscious hot pink & green yarn [bought in New York State with Jeri in 2007] which I hung over the door handle for temporary storage. I will reveal what they are soon, when they are complete.

My posts are getting a little later each day as Bob is away in Siberia & Moscow for work & I have stayed up late, reading. He hasn't discovered any interesting textiles in the minus 40 to minus 25 outside temperatures. Now back to sewing with the fan & air conditioner if it gets too hot!

Yakutia

Bob has returned from a trip to the Yakutia region of Eastern Siberia where it is Summer & very green. Knowing I'd be interested in seeing the local handicrafts he snapped these photos of the rugs below woven from what is locally available- horse hair. The beard, hair & garments are long strands of hair. They were used for wall decoration as was the birch bark painting above. There is a strong Mongolian influence in this part of the world.