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The deadline (May 1) is nearing and now the real push is on. Below are photos of various stages of the bra under construction. I’ve now finished the basic painting and have figured how to connect the two halves as well as how to secure the back ties. I think I’m going to use clear bra straps (reconfigured) to loop around the neck to provide more support of the piece from the top and not add a needless distraction away from the cacti and flowers. Since that strap will be one of the last items sewn on to the form, I’ll test it when the rest is done. If it doesn’t look like those clear gel straps are strong enough then I will have to whip out a couple other “roots”  that will act as straps to tie around the neck. In the meantime, still have a bit to do including: painting and attaching the back straps (roots); constructing, painting and attaching the flowers and buds; cutting, painting and attaching every spine. Actually, grouping all the items together doesn’t sound like so much here, but I know these little details take the most time. Wish me luck, and I’ll post new photos at each step of the mad dash to the finish:)

Cacti forms primed for painting and unpainted root straps

Heavy-duty metal link joining forms in the center front

Painting in process

Although I try to stay focused on the art and creation in this blog, we had a small diversion from the norm today which gave me the perfect scenario in which to introduce my mother. Below is the first meeting between my mom, the ever devoted nurturer of “all things great and small”, and the newest addition to the tiny casita my folks are currently living in until their main house is complete. This little guy was born on Good Friday. His mother would not accept him and the people who own the ewe didn’t feel it their place to take care of the rejected baby because everything that happens (or doesn’t happen) is “God’s will.” Fortunately, the woman who brought him into town and my mother who took him off her hands both believe that God has way too many responsibilities and every now and then needs some help.

So today my mom got a very quick introduction to what we have available in San Miguel for the care of large animals (as the translator, I too got the intro…more than I probably ever needed to know). As it happens, we have a large animal supply tienda in Centro that sells everything from vaccines and syringes to replacement formula and bottle nipples. Then up the street just two doors to a pharmacy where we picked up diapers. Of course the lady at the counter asked me what size of diaper. When I said that I didn’t know but could we see the smallest she gave me a very quizzical look. Then again I got the same look when she brought back “new born” size and I asked to see the next size up from those. ‘Why the look,’ I thought and then realized how odd that I would be asking for diapers and not know the size of the child for whom they were intended. So when she returned I apologized and explained that the reason for the size confusion was that the diapers weren’t for a child but for a lamb — then I got not just a look but a smirk (crazy gringa).

Anyway, after our quick run to town mom returned armed with formula, feeding bottles and diapers. Why the diapers? Because this little guy will be living in the house with the rest of the animals and the diapers makes clean-up a bit easier and more sanitary. So tonight the little guy is settling in with the rest of the menagerie (my folks, two dogs, a parrot, a cockatiel and a chinchilla) in their country casita.

Like I said, the perfect intro…this is my mom.

Creative note: In case you were wondering, I did manage to sew on 4 of the 12 spines on the second form today:)

Well I finished the full cactus to cover one ta-ta. This one took longer than I originally expected. No BIG surprise as I usually underestimate my time. However, the second should take less time as all the math (and trust me there was a lot more than I was truly comfortable with) was worked out while putting together the first one. I don’t think I’ve done as much hand sewing in my whole life as I’ve done in the last couple weeks. None the less, I think the extra time has paid off. Of course they’re not really cacti just yet. They do need to be painted and the spines put on. Oh, and the flowering tuna need to be constructed and attached, but first I need to do the more boring stuff of finishing the second ta-ta cover. This part is drudgery. I really enjoy the problem solving no matter how many seams and hand stitching I need to rip out, but once I’ve solved the problem (which was solved in the first cactus) I kinda want to move on – really don’t want to relive it. But alas I must carry on…really looking forward to the finishing touches:)

As you know if you’ve looked around on my web site, all the textile sculptures I create are made from recycled fashions. Below is what is left of a White Stag dress after cutting all the pieces needed for the cacti. Granted, I don’t know that I would consider White Stag a “fashion” (no offense if you are a White Stag fan), but I chose this piece to use for the cacti for a couple reasons. First, there was just enough to make both cacti…I really didn’t want each to be made out of different fabric if I could avoid it. Second, since I knew I would be dealing with some relatively small pieces this fabric gave me enough polyester in the blend that allowed me to singe the fabric. No edge is left exposed when completed, but each piece is subject to a great deal of hand sewing and singing the edges of the pieces before handling them really helps with the fraying. Finally, I really like the subtle vertical jacquard stripe. It will add to the texture of this piece once it’s been painted.

Many folks assume I deconstruct the clothing and then cut. Honestly, that’s just too much work. So the only time I deconstruct is if I really can’t get the last piece I need out of the fabric unless I take out a seam or pull off a pocket. Fortunately for this piece no deconstruction was necessary:)