In October last year Old Man Crow was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer so a lot of memories have surfaced as I slowly stitch this Old Man Crow for Ann Wood’s Crow Sew Along
Today a bundle of the most beautiful vintage black lace arrived on my doorstep from the wonderful textile artist Louise Saxton. These beautiful treasures will make some very fine feathers in this Filigree of Memory series of memento mori honouring my magical man.
the saddest most magical year of my life
Posted: October 19, 2022 by Mo Crow in It's Crow TimeTags: Filigree of Memory, Louise Saxton, memento mori, memory keeper, Old Man Crow
Comments
Oh this crow will be magical! i love studying all of the different bits of cloth you’ve got there. Be well.
(((Nancy)) each piece is such a treasure!
So glad they have found a new home and new purpose ♥️
(((Louise))) these vintage and antique laces are such treasures, every piece will be used in the making of this Filigree of Memory which will take the rest of my life, thanks so much!
And I love the bird!
Ann Wood is a brilliant artist, her crow pattern is fabulous with lots of detail and the crow sew along is very inspiring, I keep trying to reinvent different ways to make all the bits and pieces of crow-ness then go back to her pattern and it works much better than my fiddlings!
((Mo)) what beautiful fabrics and what a wonderful story they will make
(((Karen))) each piece is a magical treasure with it’s own story that adds weight to the work!
My heart goes out to you, may the great mother guide you through this time of pain and memory, if you want talk time, or you just need to scream give me a ring, if I’m not here just scream into the answering machine, I’ll understand, these breathe through it times, deep in slow out three times, if it doesn’t work punch the fuck out of the wall.❤
(((Richie))) thanks so much my beautiful friend from nearly half a century ago. When I need to focus I hold the memory of you centreing your powerful energy in the Praying Mantis form of Taekwondo, it’s so good to reconnect!
Black lace, delicate yet strong, and in this time of memory and sorrow, woven into the lace, stitched into the body of this wondrous crow, LOVE in all of its manifestations, in its heat, in its transcendent joy, in its everlasting magic…Love holds, spreading its arms/wings around you, honoring what was, what is and what always will be…Mo and Rod, forever.
(((Marti))) thank you for these beautiful words!
every time the crows fly, I think of you.
(((Jude))) love how the crows are always flying high, calling out with their raucous voices, remindoing me to pay attention to the magic that’s always all around on even the darkest days!
Yes, they remind us….
((( Mo )))
The holiest of all holidays are those
Kept by ourselves in silence and apart;
The secret anniversaries of the heart,
When the full river of feeling overflows;—
The happy days unclouded to their close;
The sudden joys that out of darkness start
As flames from ashes; swift desires that dart
Like swallows singing down each wind that blows!
White as the gleam of a receding sail,
White as a cloud that floats and fades in air,
White as the whitest lily on a stream,
These tender memories are;— a Fairy Tale
Of some enchanted land we know not where,
But lovely as a landscape in a dream.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Your small crow is looking grand. Beautiful wings and feathers. What a treasure trove of black lace! And yes, I also think of you when the crows call. And that is almost everyday here.
(((Beth))) oh! what a beautiful poem, brought a tear to the eye and went deep into my heart. Swallows were Roderick’s favourite birds, he delighted in their aerial acrobatics as they danced with the wind!
(((Mo)))
Don and I went on an art hike at Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch yesterday. Toward the end, we were shown a reproduction of her painting “A black bird with snow covered red hill” which was done the year after Alfred Stieglitz died. She used to call him Old Crow-feather and I couldn’t help but think of you and Old Man Crow. Hiking back to the bus at the end of the tour, I heard a crow ark-ing and took a video for you. I’ll send it in email … xxoo
(((Liz))) oh I would love to see that painting and will enjoy your video!
So much love in this…
(((Deb))) it’s the heart of the matter
Even before you begin to compose that collection of black cloth and lace carries so much energy. Why is that? I feel a lot of grief, but also excitement. Love to you 💕
(((Dee))) yesterday I was feeling so very strange & discombobulated, could barely hold the needle and took me all day to make the crow’s feet but today it’s all coming together, will start feathering this Old Man Crow with a few pieces of Louise’s beautiful old lace & then get onto a life size version. It’s so good to have my mojo back, the Filigree of Memory will keep me making art for the rest of my life or until I have no memory left, whichever comes first … ha!
I know you will make something beautiful with all that lace. I can’t wait to see your creations.
(((Lana))) thanks for these good words of encouragement, look forward to catching up with you next year when I feel brave enough to fly to Melbourne!
I’ll send you my brave thoughts because I would really love to see you❤️
((Mo))
this will all become an amazing Crow
(((Saskia))) am onto the fine detailing with this beautiful lace and lots of knotted silk !
Dear Mo, this beautiful crow will hold your love in every stitch and fiber, oxo.
(((Hazel))) thank you for these good words, I just finished stitching my Old Man Crow today and feel so lost!