Tibetan Prayer Flags

Flag # 19: Grounded   by Jane LaFazio

Jane LaFazio here. Recently, I was doing some research on prayer flags, and learned that the commercial prayer flags I'd purchased and hung outside were always in the same 5 colors, hung in the same sequence. A little more research informed me that the colors represent the 5 basic elements and should be hung in order. From left to right: blue signifies space, white air, red fire, green water, and yellow earth.

commercial prayer flags

This inspired me to use to create new flags from the old. 

I stitched the flags to a muslin 5x11" (allowing for the 3" hem in the back)

I machine-stitched the traditional meaning on each flag.

Now, like I did with the 'grounded' flag, I'll create a flag based on the traditional element, but that speaks to me. I'll keep you posted!

Please, join the Prayer Flag Project. Click "How to Participate" to find out how.

Rebirth

Loralei Walker here, with another prayer flag, number four for me. This one I call "Rebirth":

A new year is soon to be rung in; for many of us, this is a time of reflection and planning. Like a phoenix is reborn from the ashes of its old self, come January 1st many of us also feel reborn, recharged - we are full of ideas, dreams, and plans. May your year ahead be one of discovery and joy :-)

Memories

"Memories", December 25th, 2011

Martha Wolfe here. As I embrace the holidays this year I am faced with sorting through boxes of old photos and all of the memories of bygone Christmases.  Children now grown, relatives no longer with us.....sweet memories, bittersweet memories.  What makes each day so precious.  I am grateful for memories....

"Memories", detail

My "Memories" were created with a photo transfer using an inkjet print and gel medium, hand-stamped lettering, organza magic escaping the handbag with beads and crystals, machine and hand-stitched.  Details include antique lace and crystal buttons.  Enjoying the time to reflect as I sew......

Light

Jane LaFazio here. Flag number 18 for me. Thirty flags are my goal. This one is for light. Spreading the light, the light within all of us.  .honoring that light.

Wishing you a Peaceful Christmas.

Deborah O'Hare here. If you are like me, around about now you are feeling totally frazzled by all the preparations.

So with that in mind I wish you all a Peaceful and Restful Christmas, and Happy and Fruiful New Year.

Karen Musgrave

Welcome Karen Musgrave. Karen began making prayer flags in June.  Her  first prayer flag, Honoring the Light, was made on June 23, the day her youngest son Nathaniel was born and in his honor. 

The women in Las puntadas del alma/Stitches of the Soul have been a part of Karen's  life for more than three years and she also wanted to honor them.

Jamie Fingal

Hope For me, Hope for a brighter day.

From Jamie Fingal.

Peace. For my sister, to give her peace and calmness in the face of trauma. God's sweet peace when every day is done.

Sonja's flags

New contributor, Sonja Hagemann, started created her first prayer flag on September 11, 2011.  

She continues to make them as time allows and has made them into a take-along project after painting the background fabric.

Sonja loves to paint on fabric and here are some of her first efforts. The backgrounds are old sheets colored with paints and inks and sometimes shiny glitter that catches the light. The flags are strung on torn selvages of her hand painted fabrics and knotted together. Sonja states "Hope seems to be the word that  surfaces first for me." 

 "what a great way to start a new year!"

Jamie Fingal

Jamie Fingal joins us, in The Prayer Flag project. 

She created this flag for her father who passed away the end of November. 


Smooth sailing. He loved the ocean and sailing.



And this flag, for her mom. Prayer for love, kindness and compassion.