The Prayer Flag Project

JenClair prayer flags

2012-03-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

JenClair has created some lovely new prayer flags.

For Mary

2012-03-05T08:06:00.001-08:00

Jane LaFazio here. My 20th flag is for my friend Mary. I know I need to make a second one for her, with a message of healing and hope, for now, this is what I was feeling.

Believe you can beat it....

2012-03-02T04:30:00.000-08:00

Juliet Ayer made this flag for her friend who is undergoing treatment for cancer. He had good results from his scan, as the chemotherapy has worked, however it did reveal something that needs further investigation, so he is going into hospital for a biopsy next week. He is naturally worried and disappointed that he didn't get the all clear, but I know he can get through this - he just needs to believe that he can beat it .

I've made it using some Kaffe Fassett patchwork fabric that a mutual friend found for me in a charity shop. The words are free-machined in a bright green, and the wooden heart charm is to emphasise that all of his friends are thinking of him and supporting him through this challenging time.

Ellen's flags

2012-02-29T09:49:00.001-08:00

Ellen Wery created these wonderful prayer flags for her daughter's boyfriend. He's scheduled for surgery and she wanted to give him something. After seeing the article about the Prayer Flag Project in Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, she was inspired to make these flags for him to hang right outside his bedroom door. And yes, he has a koi pond.

Published!

2012-02-26T08:48:00.001-08:00

The Prayer Flag Project is featured on the cover of the latest Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. An article (page 62-66) written by Jane LaFazio, features flags and photos by Prayer Flag Project founder, Vivika Hansen DeNegre, flags by Martha Wolfe and Ileen Dalke Miller.

The Company of Friends

2012-02-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

Vivien Zepf's latest prayer flag, "The Company of Friends." Vivien writes, "I have wonderful, caring, strong women as my friends. I am blessed to have them in my life."

Serge Ahead Day 5

2012-02-24T01:35:00.000-08:00

Hi, Deborah O'Hare here. I belong to an art quilt group called Serge Ahead and last month we got together to make some prayer flags, and here are some...

It is very hard to show the delicate beauty of these last few flags because of their colour.

Icicle daggers weep as

increasing spring warmth

slowly kills winter

Made by Clare Carter, she has included a Haiku, written by a friend on each one.

Rhythmical raindrops
tap reveilles on warm soil
to wake sleeping seeds

Click on the image to see the words clearly.

Fresh lace tablecloths
spread for spider's dinner guests
starched white overnight

Thank you for letting me share these with you this week. I hope you have enjoyed seeing them.

Serge Ahead Day 4

2012-02-23T01:07:00.000-08:00

Hi, Deborah O'Hare here. I belong to an art quilt group called Serge Ahead and last month we got together to make some prayer flags, and here are some...
This beautiful flag made by Ann Lewis, is for Grace.
Wishing and hoping that we can find grace in everything we do.

prayer flag for a Good Result

2012-02-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

From Juliet Ayer.

"This Prayer Flag is for my friend who is halfway through his cancer treatment and has an important scan today. I hope and pray that he gets a Good Result tomorrow when he sees the specialist, and is told that the chemotherapy has worked.

I wanted a bright, cheerful Prayer Flag full of hope and happiness and have hung it out today so that this prayer can go round the world."

Serge Ahead Day 3

2012-02-22T02:53:00.002-08:00

Hi, Deborah O'Hare here. I belong to an art quilt group called Serge Ahead and last month we got together to make some prayer flags, and here are some...

Jayne Evans put dragons on her flags, for the simple reason that she loves dragons.

When hung outside the tiny bell rings delightfully in the breeze.

Serge Ahead Day 2

2012-02-21T02:22:00.000-08:00

Hi, Deborah O'Hare here. I belong to an art quilt group called Serge Ahead and last month we got together to make some prayer flags, and here are some...
Today's flag is by Ann Evans. I didn't think she was going to be at the meeting when we made these because last year she had a very nasty fall, down a flight of stairs, breaking both ankles, and wrists along with numerous other bones.

But she is a fighter and has been recovering bit by bit and we were delighted to see her and she made her own "Healing" flag.

Way to go Ann!

Sending Healing wishes out to all of those that need it.

Introducing Serge Ahead

2012-02-20T06:05:00.000-08:00

Hi, Deborah O'Hare here.
I belong to an art quilt group called Serge Ahead (that would make a good name for a flag I think!), and last month we got together to make some prayer flags. I would like to share them with you over the coming week. It was a great way to kick start the creative juices for 2012.

First up is Sonia Fox's Promise flag.

Very colourful with lots of added beads.

More tomorrow!

Cami Smith's flags

2012-02-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome Cami Smith to the Prayer Flag project!

kids and prayer flags

2012-02-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

Jane LaFazio here. I teach a weekly after school arts project (free to the kids) so of course, I had to encourage them to make prayer flags!
Here's one of the flags, you can see the rest of them here, at Mundo Lindo.

Courage from Samantha

2012-02-12T03:00:00.000-08:00

From Samantha Conklin. Courage

Samantha writes: "It takes Courage to quit your job to follow your dreams, to leave a bad relationship, to return to college later in life, to start your own business, or make any big change in your life. To anyone contemplating taking their life in a new direction, I offer Courage."

Prayer leaves from Rosemary Buswell

2012-02-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

Land art by Rosemary Buswell

Welcome Rosemary Buswell! She created this wonderful piece a few years ago, and wanted to share it with us.

Here's what Rosemary wrote: "This piece was inspired by Balinese Prayer Flags, and created to express feelings about humanity, art, nature and spirituality, for a Land Art Exhibition entitled 'Healing'. It consists of Seven 9ft high bamboo poles, with real leaves which have been pressed, left natural on one side, and decorated with images and quotes on the other, and then laminated, so giving a fresh lease of life to the leaves with messages of hope and strength. It is called 'Have you ever considered turning over an old leaf'? It was originally 'weathered' outdoors in 2008 in the UK, and the piece has since been repaired and revitalized, and was then exhibited again in Wales, UK in 2010. I donated it to this last show, where it will remain outdoors until it eventually weathers into disintegration."

Congratulations Vivika!

2012-02-08T07:47:00.000-08:00

A heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to our good friend and fellow art quilter, Vivika Hansen DeNegre! Your Sisters in Cloth could not be more proud of you as the new editor of Quilting Arts Magazine! Let the words sing......

Sonja's flags

2012-02-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

Sonja Hagemann's recent flags.

Ruth's flags

2012-02-06T09:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome Ruth Feria to the prayer flag project.

In Ruth's own words about each flag: "I made this flag for Clayangel (Pam) to send her love."

"This one is for my husband because he's going through a rough time dealing with his father's health. The buttons I used are from his mom's stash that I got after her death in 2008."

"The earring is from mom's bag of buttons and bangles.....she loved her jewelry. "

"It's been a crazy week of illness, so when I sat down last night to finally work on something, I had to use Laugh for my flag."

Health and Recovery

2012-02-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

Deborah O'Hare here. These flags are for a good friend of mine who is going through a tough time at the moment. She lives near me, by the sea, and I am hoping that the restorative powers of living by the coast will help her along her path to Health and Recovery.

They were done on a piece of fabric that spoke 'shoreline' to me and was exactly the right size to make two flags.

I am wishing Health and Recovery to anyone that is in need of it.

Pride

2012-01-28T03:00:00.000-08:00

"Pride", 1/25/12

Pride is an interesting emotion. A mix of positive self-reflection, a sense of belonging, and satisfaction in one's choices and actions.......things we all deserve to feel.

Spirula spirula, detail

Despite our diversity, we are all fragile and perfect, just the way we are.

Going out on a limb, detail

I deeply admire the bravery so many muster each day, to show their pride, despite ignorance, judgement and prejudice.

"Pride" was created with painted silk organza, hand and machine embroidery, glass beads and a wonderful Spirula spirula I found on the beach:)

hand stitched prayer flags

2012-01-26T09:11:00.000-08:00

JenClair has joined The Prayer Flag project.

She's learning and practicing embroidery stitches with each one.

A flag for balance

2012-01-24T16:56:00.000-08:00

Samantha Conklin with her flag for balance writes:
"Balance in our life is so important to our health and happiness - balance between work and play, caring for others and caring for ourselves, etc. - so I made it the focus of my second Prayer Flag. I had some trouble deciding what color to use for this flag, but in the end I decided on grey as it is the balance between white and black, light and dark.

For Martin Luther King, Jr.

2012-01-22T16:34:00.000-08:00

Welcome Joshua Durst, Atlanta, Georgia.
He writes:
"In July, I moved from Knoxville, Tennessee to Atlanta, Georgia. One of the places that I have visited many times since I moved to Atlanta is The King Center and surrounding national park property. Visiting Dr. King's birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the grave of Dr. and Mrs. King are all very moving experiences.

In anticipation of this year's Dr. King holiday, my partner, Chris, and I decided to spend our day at the King Center and in the surrounding "Sweet Auburn" neighborhood. In preparation for the day, I decided to create a prayer flag to hang near Dr. and Mrs. King's grave.

My prayer flag was created out of my own hand dyed muslin (marigold dye) for the front and a commercial printed batik for the backing. Meaningful words for the day were stamped on the front. The word "dream" was also appliqued on the front and buttons and other embellishments were added. Seed stitching was added to the flag for the quilting.

The day was filled with speeches, the fellowship of all who were gathered, good food, an inspiring parade, and much more. Many people watched as I tied the prayer flag to the fence across from the gravesite including a security guard who questioned my motive. After some confusion on his part, he quickly realized the intent of the prayer flag and its message and gave his assent.

I left with a feeling of hope and peace that day. I can only wish that my prayer flag was important to others gathered to remember the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."

flag for Vibrant Health

2012-01-20T11:29:00.000-08:00

Samantha Conklin joins us on The Prayer Flag Project. She writes about her flag: It seems like everyone I know is sick this winter, so I made this flag to send out my wish for Vibrant Health for all. To create this flag, I sewed strips of fabric in various shades of green to a muslin backing, couching down a few yarns along the way. I used my Cricut machine to make stencils out of card-stock for the words and used acrylic paint to stencil them on the flag. Hand embroidery, beads, buttons, sequins, and gems were added because they make me smile.

Juliet's flag: Hope for the Health of her Friend

2012-01-13T13:01:00.000-08:00

Juliet Ayer writes about her flag:
This is my first Prayer Flag and it is for a friend of mine who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment and having a rough time of it. My hope is that he returns to full health soon and that the treatment is a success. This is something I wish for all people suffering at this moment in time.

I have hung my Flag out today so that the words can be blown around the world. With the gales that we're currently having in the UK they will be speedily dissipated and working their magic.

I like to recycle & re-use, so I made my Flag out of an old duvet cover & backed it with a piece of an old shirt. I then free-machined a healthy, vigorous plant growing upwards, with a blue bird of happiness perched on a leaf. I used strong orange/red thread for the prayer itself to emphasise the message. It was nice and quick and simple to make as I wanted it to start working as soon as possible.

....and then there were three.

2012-01-11T11:52:00.000-08:00

Deborah O'Hare here. I couldn't leave the one flag that I made for Christmas stay solo. Not least because these have again been made from a chopped up quilt, and I have a lot more dove blocks to use.

It is far too wet, windy and gloomy in Wales to take any photos outside at the moment, so these flags are bringing me a bit of peace inside my cosy work shed.

I wish for Peace for you also, (if you need it).

Goodbye Jane

2012-01-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

Mary Lachman here. There is a full moon tonight. My dear neighbors, Rome and Jane, were moved to Kentucky to be closer to one of their sons a week ago. (As you might remember from a previous post of mine, Rome is 94 and Jane is 92 years young.)

So here is my prayer flag for them with a moon for tonight. She liked astronomy and had a telescope. The cloud represents my sorry in her leaving us since she was like a surrogate mother to me. The leaves are for her October birthday.

This prayer flag is made from muslin, wet-felted wool roving, rubber stamped letters, printed paper, and threads.

Jane Smith, paper artist

2012-01-02T12:09:00.000-08:00

Jane Smith, from Oceanside, California, joins us. She writes "I am a paper artist and strive to live a Buddhist inspired life of open heart/open mind and loving kindness. I have these prayer flags hanging outside of my home to send out loving kindness and blessings to all."

Follow Your Heart

2012-01-01T17:05:00.000-08:00

Loralie here. I have never been one for resolutions, really, but I do like to set goals. This year, one of my main goals is to give myself permission to follow my heart, instead of rationalizing why what I want to do is silly and unproductive. In honour of that goal, here is my prayer flag:

As you see, there are flip flops (my fave footwear) following a heart - the path is neither straight, nor does it follow the "path" that has been laid out (I was thinking yellow brick road when I made this flag)...

The flag was made using fabric paint over a strip of foil with lots of holes (it has a name, but I have no idea what that is, sorry).. Then, it was embellished with french knots to make a way to hang it, and brads (the feet and hearts). Finally, the word were free motion stitched over a felt outline.

I used different hearts, as sometimes - actually often - I change my mind on things, and I want to remind myself that this is an okay thing to do, so long as it's done from the heart.

Another goal is to make a quilt for myself this year; now that I've put it out there, I have to do it, right?

I hope that this is the year that you decide to follow your heart. If you have any goals that you would like to share, I would love to hear them. Happy first day of 2012, everyone!!

Tibetan Prayer Flags

2011-12-31T03:00:00.000-08:00

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 shouldbe 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

2011-12-29T23:31:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

"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

2011-12-26T03:00:00.000-08:00

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.

2011-12-23T09:24:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-16T15:59:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-12T07:53:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-07T08:06:00.001-08:00

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.

Last Rose of Summer

2011-11-29T15:50:00.001-08:00

Today was warm and humid, and a rare find in Connecticut in late November. On the back fence a floribunda rose was still blooming. Who ever suggested that roses were not a tough, beautiful flower!

I am inspired to think once again of summer, ice cream and italian ice, sunshine and seashells.

Flag For Hope: Letizia Loffi

2011-11-29T12:56:00.000-08:00

A new participant has joined the project all the way from Italy. Letizia Loffi's first flag is for Hope.

In her words...

"Hope is the most powerful fuel in life. Without hope, there are no projects, therefor no future".

"My flags pray for the forces that guide our steps in life... This one is made of tapestry cotton, lace, and organza ribbon. Little glass beads and silver rattles hang from the ribbons to give hope a cheerful note..."

Cheers to all!

Group Prayer Flag Project

2011-11-27T17:15:00.001-08:00

Friends making prayer flags.

Jane LaFazio here. This weekend, Thanksgiving weekend, my friends and I spent the weekend at J&J Ranch for our annual get-together. Our hosts have a fabulous studio, and were happy to let me lead the project. Everyone participated, and it took less than 2 hours.

I did some pre-preparation at home, beforehand.

I torn a long strip of fabric, 13" high , then pinned a 3 inch hem.

I sewed the hem on the whole strip.

Using a rotary cutter, I cut the flags into 5" panels

Quickly created 17 flags, each finished to 5x8"

We had acrylic paint, brushes, stencils and fabric markers for everyone to use.

Once the flags were finished, we took turns sharing the meaning, affirmation, wish that our flag was meant to convey, then strung them together on heavy string.

The guys hung the flags.

Jill, our host, stands at the door of her studio.
You can see all the finished flags in the prayer flag project flickr group here.

Thanks

2011-11-25T17:18:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving. I am a day late (and probably a dollar short) but it I've been busy between the turkey and the stuffing and the trip to the ER with my neighbors.

We were planning on turkey for 15 when Jane, my 92-year-old neighbor telephoned. Rome, her 94-year-old husband, a retired lieutenant colonel, veteran of WWII, had had a episode of gastrointestinal bleeding. We called the ambulance and she and I followed in my car.

Two days later he is in the intensive care unit of a large teaching hospital but acting spunking and silly with the nursing staff despite continued bleeding, transfusions and acute renal failure.

I am thankful for Rome and Jane. They have served as our surrogate parents (and we as there surrogate children) for 17 years. We love them and they love us... and isn't that what true friends are all about.

Wish us luck in the days ahead!

Babies and Hope

2011-11-22T04:19:00.000-08:00

Hope is a theme that goes well with new babies. I think we are all filled with love and hope for our children.....that their lives will be rich with experiences and relationships that bring them joy and happiness. Hope for a bright future, both in their lives and the world around them. My heart is filled with hope.

My hope flag is a collage of bits and pieces from the past. Trimmings from my first art quilt, some suminagashi I did with the 6th graders last year, painted dryer sheet and hand-stamped fabric garnished with couched hand-dyed chainette and French knots.

Norina Morris: Prayers for Faith and Peace

2011-11-17T09:37:00.000-08:00

I love waking up in the morning and finding an email in my inbox with the first flags of a new participant. These are Norina Moriris' first two prayer flags. Aren't they beautiful?

1. FAITH

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. (Mother Teresa)

2. PEACE

We shall find peace. We shall hear angels. We shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds. (Anton Chekov)

Changing it UP!

2011-11-17T04:38:00.001-08:00

We all get stuck in ruts. And I feel my earlier prayer flags have not truly reflected my personality. So here go turning over my leaf. This little series symbolizes new horizons, new possibilities, and changing it up!

New Day

2011-11-17T04:21:00.001-08:00

Today begins a new year for me. We all have new ideas, new horizons, new challenges waiting for us. This quilt symbolizes a sprout, a new green, fresh thing popping up out of the earth!

It is made with muslin, linen, commercial batik, pearl cotton and fabric ink pens.

Enjoy your day.

Faith

2011-11-17T04:16:00.001-08:00

Faith in self. Faith in others. Faith in a higher power. That is what this Prayer Flag symbolizes.

This flag is made of antique linen with hand-stitched lettering and printed paper.

Owinja

2011-11-16T09:23:00.001-08:00

It is said "Owinja" means quilt in the Native American Lakota dialect.

The Lakota are known for their handmade quilts, particularly star quilts. The star in the upper right hand corner of this piece is from their website logo. Please see their amazing work at http://lakotaquilts.com/thequilters.html

Paraphrasing the quotation, I might say, a person who does not receive quilts or handmade art is an orphan and unloved.

This prayer quilt is made from linen, fabric ink and paper.

A Heart Not Broken

2011-11-16T08:05:00.001-08:00

Today I finished 2 prayer flags. I was inspired by a handful of friends who havebeen married and divorced and remarried. They did not give up on love! Theyremained open to the possibility of new relationships in their lives even whenthere were times they wanted to give up.

"Love" is made with antique lace, pearl cotton, batik cotton fabric, fusible web on a linen background.

"Patched but Unbroken" is made withcommercial cotton fabrics, paint, fusible web and thread on a linenbackground.

Robin Manly: Create!

2011-11-15T19:30:00.000-08:00

Create
Robin Manly

My flag says "create," which means "making" in the literal sense (as in art) and in the more global sense (as in hope). The orange-and-turquoise combo is my favorite - I like the way the opposites in the color wheel shimmer against each other. The spiral in the center is an early symbol of the sun, which is both light and life-giving. It might also be the first spiral I've ever made in cloth. Hmm - maybe this is a symbol itself?

Everything on the flag was free-handed - the finished dimensions are about 5 X 8 inches with a hanging sleeve on the back. The fabric is cotton, mostly stitched with pearle cotton #8. The beading at the bottom adds a little weight as well as sparkle in the sunlight. The backing is plain muslin to add some substance while the flag is hanging and make it a bit less transparent.

I know a lot of you are artists. I hope you join in this project not only to show your talent, but also to show something about who you are and what you stand for. C'mon! Spread your spirit on the wind! I haven't decided where I'm going to hang my Prayer Flag just yet, but I'm thinking it may go into my office to remind me why I'm there. Maybe I can convince some of my work mates to join in, too!

Visit Robin's blog from more information about her beautiful flag at http://somenotesfromafar.blogspot.com/2011/11/create-prayer-flag-project.html

Flag for determination and creativity

2011-11-12T14:19:00.001-08:00

Jane LaFazio here. This is prayer flag 17 for me. Orange: for determination and creativity.

I'm still using mono- prints that I've made, as the base fabric of the flags.

You can see all my prayer flags here. I'm working my way towards the goal of 30 flags.

Sanctuary.

2011-11-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

front

These flags are for the hope that everyone who needs it can find Sanctuary, be it spiritual, emotional or physical.

back

For some reason I feel compelled to make them visual from the back as well as the front.

front

I also seem to have to make them in groups of three.

back

They have been constructed on hand painted fabric and added to with bits of a quilt that I cut up (follow the link to see that I really did cut it up) because I wasn't very happy with it.

Prayers for Another Year...

2011-10-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I made a string of flags... ok, it is really just a garland for my kitchen, but they look like prayer flags... in honor of my birthday.

I pray for another year of health and happiness, not only for me, but for my family.

Another year of sunshine and shadows.

Another year of mischief and mayhem.

Another year together.

Because in the end, isn't that what we all pray for?

Prayer for Hope

2011-10-20T05:49:00.000-07:00

My prayer today is for Hope.

Hope of Acceptance, Hope of Recovery, and Hope of Cure.

This flag is made of old linen, lace, embroidery floss, rick rack and beads.

Mary Lachman - Prayer for Peace

2011-10-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to meet Vivika DeNegre on the Madison Green a few weeks ago. She inspired me to join the Prayer Flag Project.

This flag was made using recycled linen scraps embellished with fused cotton batiks for the dove, embroiderd words, and repurposed lace and buttons.

This is my first flag. It was completed today and hung outdoors between the raindrops to send my wishes out on the wind. My Prayer for Peace is not only for the world, but for friends and family, near and far.

A Prayer Flag for Protection.

2011-10-17T02:06:00.000-07:00

Hello.

My name is Deborah O'Hare and this is my first post on The Prayer Flag Project. With that in mind I hope you will indulge me in a bit of selfishness with my first flags.

I have made these for myself and my family, for Protection, after having experienced not one, but two house fires within eight months this year.

Buddist umbrella of protection

The first was a shed fire, but the whole back of the house was badly damaged from the heat of the flames.

The back

The second was a kitchen fire back in August, and as I write this I am still without a kitchen, eagerly awaiting the fitters to come along and put in a new one.

Woven Strips

I don't tell you this to promote sympathy. No-one was hurt and I count my blessings.

But I would be lying if I tried to deny how unsettling the whole experience has been.

Protective Celtic Knot

"Amddiffynion"-Welsh for Protection

So these are my flags, and my attempt to protect us from anything else the Universe might be planning to throw at us!

You will find me living in the UK on the South Wales coast, with my husband, two teenagers and a dog named Rosie!

I blog at thebluehare and Quilt Routes and I would love it if you came for a visit.

I am thrilled to have been asked to contribute to this great project.

See you again soon!

For Somalia

2011-10-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Flag #16: For Somalia

Jane LaFazio here. I was inspired by Andrea Hawkes flag for Somalia.

Prayer Flags: Crafty Women Group Project

2011-10-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

This Group Project comes from Gerre Davis. She writes:

There are seven of us Crafty Women that meet monthly for inspiration, conversation, and good food - oh, and to make a project together. Everyone takes a turn at pulling together a theme and it is definitely soul enriching to do this together. The projects differ as we all have different interests, and as a result we really enjoy getting out of our comfort zones and experimenting with new ideas as we learn new things.

One of my projects was The Prayer Flag Project. In this case we worked individually and came together to share our experience and what the project meant to us.

Linda Lubovich honored family members that she had lost.

I (Gerre Davis) focused on what I want the universe to bring everyone.

Corky Gutierrez created flags for lost family members that she keeps close to her heart.

Judith Turner is reminding us all to just "let go".

The flags were all photographed in Judy's beautiful healing and restorative garden.

We offer these flags so that our prayers may fly out not only with the wind, but also across the great inner space of the internet!

In Gratitude

2011-09-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

For the past 18 years I have taught an adaptive yoga class for the local chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to a wonderful enthusiastic group. This summer, when the NMSS could no longer fund the class, its future was uncertain. Happily the management at the facility, where we have held classes for a number of years, generously decided to donate the space to us, allowing students to continue to benefit from yoga. Thank you Angel City Body Kinetics!

These flags, inspired by the flag for my neighbor, are in celebration of the sun shining brightly on our class again.

Earlier post: "Gift of Sunshine"

This was the original flag I created and gave to a friend and neighbor who is very ill... to send a little sunshine his way. I love using sun images, personally finding them healing and energizing to work with. What better way to share something? Saying beyond words, "I am thinking of you."
Many years ago, when moving across the street to a new apartment, Mike kindly gave me a staghorn fern that he couldn't house in the new place. Over the years it has done really well in my yard, in fact, doubled in size growing through the lattice to the backside. The wonder of nature! He would appreciate that.

Small Prayer Flags: A Visit From The Muse

2011-09-15T10:08:00.000-07:00

This is a series of 12 Prayer Flags made in response to a challenge by the group "Fiberactions". Every two months, we each make a quilt that is 16"x20" based on a theme chosen by one of the members. This month's theme was Texture... and I failed miserably at creating a piece which I could post on our blog with pride. It was awful. I mean it. Awful.

Then with only a few days to spare before the posting of our creations, I had a visit from the Muse. Cut it up, she said. Fold it over. Embellish. Add some felted balls.

The result is 12 little flags, 3"x4 1/2"... one for each of the members of the group. I will be sending them all their own little flag, in hopes that the Muse also visits them. You can visit our blog and see all of the lovely quilts made for this challenge (including my original attempt before it was sliced ) at fiberactions.blogspot.com.

Finished Now

Craft night of Prayer Flags

2011-09-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

I invited 5 friends over to put together prayer flags. The ages ranged from 14 to 63.

Everyone brought trim and embellishments that they had around the house.

I provided pieces of muslin and all my 'treasures'-stamps, inks, scrapbook embellishments, etc. After explaining what a prayer flag was, everyone jumped in.

There was wonderful sharing and lots of ideas passed from woman to woman. The end result was each one of us taking their flag home to hang and send good thoughts up to the heavens.

What a delightful evening of sharing!

Vivian's Prayer Flag #8, Bless All

2011-09-09T15:53:00.000-07:00

Some of my friends want me to make a Prayer Flag for them because they don't sew.. Hard to imagine for me, who has done hand work all my life. When I went to hang it with a ribbon it tended to buckle in the middle.

So I solved it by adding a plastic straw the width of flag, and running the ribbon down the center of the straw. Now, it lays flat and can be hung any where.

With 9/11 coming soon,, I thought we all need to be Blessed. Thank you, Jane for suggesting premade iron on labels for the back.

Jane LaFazio: 15 prayer flags so far

2011-09-09T06:42:00.000-07:00

Jane LaFazio here. Flag # 14: Love. Love of my husband, my friends, my life, of others.

Flag # 15: Say YES. Yes to the possibilities, the opportunities and when asked for help.

Fifteen prayer flags so far.

Neora Chana Rut: Four Flags

2011-09-08T01:00:00.000-07:00

Neora writes:

I can't remember how I ran across the project, but have been following it for a couple of months and really enjoy the intention behind it. I am a Reconstructionist Jew; in this form of Judaism, there is a great freedom to come up with new traditions or to adapt traditions and this falls so neatly into that.

Four Flags

I ended up with 4 flags, and as is true of much of my artwork, started with only the vaguest of planning. I primarily work in watercolor, but, remembering the project while in an art supplies store, I picked up some canvas. Later, I started playing with watercolors on it and have been continuing to develop this on both canvas and muslin. The color is very variable and uncontrollable with this process, so the images were later clarified with permanent markers before coating with gel medium.

Sundown Susans

The first was the black-eyed susans. When I was a little girl, we would go from Greenwood, MS, to New Albany, MS to visit my maternal great-grandparents. My mother, sibs, cousins and I would stop to picnic on a hill covered with these flowers and this has always stayed as a vivid memory. However, while working on it, I also thought of people with dementia; if I was to name this one, I would call it 'sundown susans' in memory of that.

Peach

The second was the peach. My maternal grandmother did many unique things that were frugal yet very joyful and memorable. A peach expresses this perfectly as she would pickle the peach and then make peach peel fried pies. Very Southern and very frugal while enhancing life in a wonderful way. What better way to be frugal?

Sunflower

Autumn Flowers

The sunflower was the third completed. I had a brother 5 years younger than me, also an artist, who died when he was 29. In his last trip to the US (he was living in Italy), we went back to the town where I went to middle school/high school and where he started school. I had always perceived the area as rough, cold, hostile. Driving into the area, he and his friend commented on how lush, fertile and vibrant the landscape was, especially the sunflowers. I learned an important lesson about how emotions color perceptions that day.

Finally are the autumn flowers in memory of my mother. My mother was a true Southern good girl to her very core and found it very hard to be away from MS while we lived in WI. You could probably name on one hand the things she found done/happening better in the North than the South. One of those was autumn and the color display. Her memory is even closer in the fall than at other times of the year.

I live in an apartment complex, so still have to figure out where I can hang them outside; the next part of this project.

I have just started a blog for my artwork called 'A Gracious Light'. The address is www.neorasgraciouslight.blogspot.com.

Prayer Flags for My Community

2011-09-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, life just happens. It just knocks on your door, shakes your floorboards, and rains on your parade... then shuts off your lights, invades your computer, and empties your refrigerator.

That, my friends, is a quick synopsis of "Life" for those of us in Southern New England over the last two weeks.

It all started with an earthquake. Then a hurricane. Then toppled trees, flooded streams, and power failures. Then the fun started.

Troubled Waters and Line Workers

After a week without power and water, an unplanned trip to stay with my siblings, delayed school openings for my three younger children, and an overflowing compost pile with a direct path to my thawed freezer and refrigerator, it is time to get back to normal life. I feel so lucky that we had no damage to our property and that my family is safe. I feel so sad, though, for all of those in the path of the storm who are still suffering from the flooding and terrible surge of the sea. The following prayer flags are for them.

Lost Threads

Lost Threads is a prayer flag for Ann Brauer and all other artists who lost their studios. How sad would it be to see your work space floating down the street in a flash flood? That is just what happened to Ann. My prayer is that her new space will be dry, inspiring, and fulfilling.

Power and Light

I've heard that there are still, 10 days post storm, more than 300 customers in Connecticut without power. For us, that meant we had no water or cooking facilities, either. I pray that the power comes on and that life can resume for those people as soon as possible. The six flowers on the flag are for the six days our neighborhood was in the dark.

Community Support

Where would we be without our neighbors? This is a prayer of thanks for our community, which opened its doors and its arms wide to all in need. Our entire town and three surrounding communities had no power for more than 24 hours. When nearly 100,000 people can't shower, cook normally, communicate, or even leave their homes because of hundreds of toppled trees and downed wires, we all pitch in. Thank you for sharing hot showers, freezer space, and dinners with those in need. Thank you for powering up your personal chain saws and clearing the streets near your homes. Thank you for acting like a community.

Troubled Waters and Line Workers

As we drove home on Saturday afternoon from our unplanned visit to Northern Vermont, we were astounded by the amount of damage we saw at the riverbeds and creeks. The scenic covered bridges that were washed away will never be replaced. Whole towns are cut off from the outside world, both by washed out roads and damaged electric wires. I pray that they are made whole, and that the waters recede quickly.

Lastly, the most fragile flag of all says "many thanks" to the line workers who came to our rescue. This flag is made entirely of paper and tea bags... fragile indeed. Fifteen trucks were parked at a local motel this week where workers from all over New England stayed between shifts. They helped us, and I want to extend a very heart felt "thanks" for getting the job done. Our lives are as fragile as the paper of this flag, and they have helped return our frayed nerves to normal.

These flags were made in less than an hour, using paper and lace that I had on hand. When today's rain stops, they will be hung outside so their prayers of thanks, hope, and comfort can join the prayers of others on the wind.

Beth Gould: Flags for Grandchildren and Grandparents

2011-09-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

Hope

Peace

Strung on the Porch

Dream

Good Fortune

Love

I read about this wonderful project on Jane LaFazio's blog. After reading about Prayer Flags, I decided to follow tradition using the colors of the elements and adding purple. My flags are simple with a one word prayer on each. I hand dyed each one except the white.

As a Grandmom who has been involved in raising two grandchildren, I wanted to dedicate the flags to all grandparents and their grandchildren. The white flag shows a elder hand holding a child with the word "HOPE".
The blue flag is a symbol that out of chaos we can achieve "Peace". The rest of the flags are self explanatory.
This project has given me the opportunity to stop and think of what is important.

Peace and Blessings, Beth

Believe

Pearls of Wisdom

2011-08-31T16:48:00.000-07:00

Pearls of Wisdom, is a bit longer that our other pieces. I live in the mountain area near Yosemite National Park. Once a year we have Sierra Art Trails, where the general public drives around and comes to the artists Open Studio..

While I was sewing on the pearls for this piece, one of the artists asked if I would please show and sell some prayer flags during the October week-end..

Spread the word of Peace and remember the Pearls of Wisdom.

Andrea Hawkes: Prayers for Somalia

2011-08-24T01:42:00.000-07:00

I, like so many, think about the famine in Somalia every day. Donations, while important, just don’t seem enough against what seem to be insurmountable odds. A prayer flag – can it really make a difference? Well, I don’t know for sure, but I know that my heart is in this one (as in all of them) and while I may not be a very good artist, this flag seemed to come from somewhere through my hands and, for me at least, has meaning. Inspiration, intuition – it seems to happen without thought or intention. May the winds that take prayer flags take hope, love, rain, growth, food and change to Somalia .

Regards,

Andrea

Flags for Debbie

2011-08-23T01:30:00.000-07:00

Mommy

This week I mark the passing of my dear friend and neighbor Jean's younger sister. Debbie died on Monday, August 15th, at the tender age of 40 from breast cancer. Her death is such a loss for her friends and family. I am so sad for them all as they mourn in their own way for the person that she was to them... Daughter, Sister, Mommy, Spouse, and Friend.

Spouse

Daughter

The flags are all made of reclaimed fabrics and have the names of those who will miss her most embroidered on the surface.

Sister

Prayers for the living are all I can offer.

Vivian Helena ~ prayer flags

2011-08-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

Flags from Vivian Helena

2 more flags from Loralei Walker

2011-08-19T22:45:00.000-07:00

Life has been busy.. so busy in fact that all I have really wanted is in these two flags - time - to play, and time to just be me. The "play" flag is to remind me, and everyone who sees it, to remember the inner child, and to take time to play more often. The "time" flag is a prayer for myself, and for others who share these feelings - a prayer to allow time to come into our lives, and to let it work its healing magic, so that we can truly be... Loralei - the whimsical mermaid

Flag #2 - Play

Flag #3 - Time

Jane LaFazio ~ 3 more flags

2011-08-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Flag # 11: for gratitude

Flag # 12 for Balance

Flag # 13 for Ann Cobbe, who died at 39 years old.

Jane LaFazio here. Thirteen flags so far

Inspirations for Working With Fabric: Give Away

2011-08-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

Prayer flags are now hanging in my studio... two sets from Tibet, and one long string of my own from earlier this summer. Gorgeous flags from around the world have been photographed and emailed to me for posting, and so many words of support for this project have come my way over the past six weeks. It is time to share some inspiration with all of you!

Inspiration for the artwork on our flags comes from so many sources. Nature photography is a common theme.

Zinnia

Many people have used sketching as a starting point.

Jane LaFazio

Some look to their families,

Nina Lisa Moen

and others to the world politics.

Vivika DeNegre

Maybe inspiration could also come from a book...

I have never offered a book on my blog before, but the generous publishers at Lark books have offered a complementary copy of Masters Art Quilts, Vol. 2 to one of my lucky readers. This book showcases the talents of twenty world renowned fiber artists who use a multitude of techniques. Inspiration and illumination from the fine photography and excellent essays in this book could be translated into some mighty interesting flags...

Leave a comment below, including your email contact information. Additional chances to enter may be found here. A winner will be chosen on Thursday, August 18.

A winner has been chosen and notified... thank you all for your kind comments!

Andrea Hawkes: Matthew's Flag

2011-08-04T00:25:00.000-07:00

This is Andrea Hawke's most recent prayer flag. In her own words, ...

I continue to make flags – not as often as I would like.

The process of these flags, for me, is quite remarkable. I began this one a few weeks ago on a piece of batik I had painted and then I started added beads, not quite knowing where it was wanting to go. Last night as I was arriving home from a very late day at work, I heard a wonderful Canadian singer, Peter Katz, sing a powerful song called “The Fence” about Matthew Shepard who, you may remember, was murdered because he was gay. (See The Laramie project for more information, if you do not already know.) I do not often stay in a hot car to listen to a song but this one reached an emotional chord with me. This morning I woke up and knew exactly where the flag I had begun a few weeks ago was leading me. I added the stitching (the fence), a piece of tatting that my talented sister sent me, the butterfly, and of course Matthew’s name – I am overcome with sadness at the moment – there is such much hatred in this world but I also know there are wonderful people out there, like Peter Katz, who will continue to make us all aware of the things that need and can be changed.

Regards,

Andrea

Carol Howard Donati: Prayers for Family

2011-08-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

This series of four prayer flags was made by Carol Howard Donati in memory of four departed family members. In Carol's own words...

I made this group of four hand painted prayer flags in honor of some dearly loved and remembered family members. It was a meditative experience. I enjoyed using a different process to create each flag. To underline the family connections between them, I made use of an overall related colour scheme. Each individual flag incorporates a special meaning particular to the person it represents.

I used the cell shape on my mother's flag because she was a biologist. (Freezer paper resist, seta colour paints on cotton, embroidery, pearls).

The eye shape is used on Gram's flag, because she read tea leaves and had thoughtful visions for us all.
(Acrylic paints on cotton, dyed and pleated dryer sheet, embroidery)

I incorporated the cedar bough shapes on my father's because he loved the forest. I also added a piece of fabric from my mother's flag as a testament to his great love for her. (Marbled seta colour paints on cotton, fabric from my mother's flag, embroidery, dyed dryer sheet.

A translucent collage for my eldest brother's flag represents the brevity of his short life. (Translucent paper collage, gel medium)

I celebrate them all. Let their spirits kiss the wind!

Lorelai Walker: Dancing in the Rain

2011-07-30T02:08:00.000-07:00

I discovered the Prayer Flag Project while visiting Jane LaFazio's blog, and I fell in love with the idea instantly, since it gives me an opportunity to spread goodness in the world, while finding myself as an artist. So far, I have only completed one flag, but am already working on more.

The stamp on the flag says, "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain," and I believe that this statement rings so true for me, and for many people.

I made this flag for my friend Annie, who is moving from Canada back to the us again next weel This is a tough move for her family, as they have made many friends here, and they will be very missed. I hope that Annie hangs this flag outside of her new home, and that it reminds her that no matter what life brings, she has support from her friends, who will dance in the rain along side her...

I have also recently started a new blog. It is where I am keeping track of my progress as an artisan and an artist, and where I am finding peace in sharing that side of me, even though it is only being shared with me at the moment.

Carol Simpson: Embrace the Gift of Each Day

2011-07-28T02:27:00.000-07:00

This is Carol's first prayer flag - isn't it lovely? It is a prayer for her friend's sister who is battling cancer, and a message for us all.

Carol lives in Mt. Shasta and San Diego, California. She was inspired to join the project after seeing the pieces made by Jane LaFazio. Thank you, Jane, for being a champion of this project!

Linda Miller: Inspiration from Meditation

2011-07-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

Linda Miller writes, "Now that my big project is complete, I have time to post the latest photographs of my recent additions to the Prayer Flag Project. I have added four to the set to join "Trust".

My inspiration for these come out of meditation practice, and are reminders that I have been working with in my own life lately. Seemed timely to share them.

Flag#2 reads: "Life expectancy is uncertain, Death can come at any time, Keeping this in mind, What is important?" A reminder to live fully in each moment. What are your priorities??

The last 3 flags really belong together as unit. Recognize is beginning to see who we are and what we do. Refrain is staying and noticing what comes up, without judgement or jumping into the usual habit pattern. Being kinder to ourselves and others we can begin to Relax. Wouldn't that make a difference in our world?
May everyone find some peace in their lives.

I am happy to have the opportunity to participate in this project, as a means to share these wishes, to see what others are bringing to the project, and to play with new materials in creative process".

Christine Predd: Grateful

2011-07-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we moved into a home surrounded by woods. We are so grateful to have that beauty arround us. I made this first prayer flag this morning to express that gratefulness.

For this flag, I used scraps for the background, drew a tree, then added strips of fabric and fiber to blow in the wind. Words such as serenity, peace, and joy, are written on the fabric strips which express my feelings of gratefulness. My hope and wish is to spread these good wishes to everyone.

Christine Predd

Caryl Park's Prayers from South Africa

2011-07-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

This truly is an international effort.. so far, flags have been submitted from the USA, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and now South Africa. I've had inquiries from Australia and Peru, and am waiting for photos from those participants as well. Keep the flags coming, and the good wishes and prayers hanging in the wind.

Today's artist, Caryl Park, describes her flags:

I saw some flags from this project and I just had to take part. These were made for a friend who has cancer. She was so blessed to receive them knowing that someone really cares enough to take the time to make them.

I think it is such a wonderful idea and will be making more and more. I am sure my style will change as I go along and being inspired by all the other artists. Thank you so much for suggesting this idea to women all around the world, we really do appreciate it.

Lunetter is the most remarkable person. She has just come out of hospital and she looks like a ray of sunshine. I am always inspired by people worse off than myself, when I see them smile and having such courage. Please ask your readers to say a little prayer for her.

You can see more of Caryl's work on her blog.

First Flags: Vivika Hansen DeNegre

2011-07-20T13:07:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be nice to post a few pictures of the first prayer flags I made several years ago. They were not fancy, or specially stitched. They were not planned, organized, or fretted over. They were not works of art.

They WERE, however, very difficult to make and hard to send to their recipient.

My dear friend Suzanne, who was like a sister to me in so many ways, was entering the last phase of her life and dieing of breast cancer. We had hiked the hills around the Golden Gate Bridge together, ridden horses, laughed over burnt dinners and spilled milk, and shared babysitters.

We loved the same books, cared for the same causes, and enjoyed similar activities. We were good friends who were parting ways for the last time, and I wanted her to know that she was loved and prayed for on that final journey.

When her husband learned about this project, he snapped these photos of the flags which still hang above their bed, although she has been gone for more than a year. The little paper tags have colored shells glued to one side, and simple words like "faith", "hope" and "peace" glued to the other.

Ileen Miller: Three More Flags

2011-07-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

Three more flags have been made by fiber artist Ileen Miller, adding to her flag for fathers a few weeks ago. Ileen is making a flag a week and posting to our flickr group when they are complete- as she said in an email earlier this week, "I, too, believe in the power of prayer and putting things out into the universe".

Pray on, Ileen-

Sharen Chatterton

2011-07-18T21:09:00.000-07:00

How lovely to find an inbox filled with many different prayer flags after a much needed vacation with my family... This week we'll be featuring a sampling of those submitted over the past ten days. Please keep them coming! They are all so beautiful, and their messages are now blowing in the wind with so many others. Today's flags are from Sharen Chatterton.

I stumbled across the Prayer Flag Project as I was reading Jane LaFazio’sblog site. I was inspired to create two artist prayer flags that are now hanging in my side yard. The one with the sunflowers on it is a prayer for my family, as all families have, we have issues from time to time and this is a prayer to Trust in God and he will guide us to work though those issues in his own time.

The crow flag is a prayer to live a simpler life according to God’s plan, not my own; not always an easy thing to do. I love that I see my prayer flags every time I go in my side yard (with three dogs, that is many times a day, to take them out to potty). What a wonderful reminder to send up a little prayer each time I see them. I am not a fiber artist, by any stretch of the imagination, but I have enjoyed adding fabric to my mix of creative outlets

Jane LaFazio: 10 flags so far

2011-07-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

Jane LaFazio here. 10 Prayer Flags so far. My goal is to make 30.

#8. For Peace.

#9: for Grace. To act with grace. Live with grace.

#10: Learn & Grow. grow and learn. Learn so more, grow some more...

For everything thing there is a season

2011-07-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Jane LaFazio here. Prayer flag # 7: For everything there is a season.

I created a tutorial for this flag, showing how I drew on the fabric then cut it out and free-motion stitched. See my tutorial here.

I created a sheet of labels on fabric too, so now I can iron them on the back of each flag, filling in the info.

Jane LaFazio ~ 3 more flags

2011-07-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

Jane LaFazio here. Prayer flag # 4
An early morning walk is a blessing for the entire day." Thoreau

"

Prayer flag #5. For my friends, too many of them, battling breast cancer.



Prayer Flag # 6. "If not now, when?"


I'm making my flags from my leftover bits of my monoprints on cloth. Just grabbing some fabric, tearing it to the right size and stitching on it.
See more flags on our Prayer Flag flickr group, and join in!

Jane LaFazio...For Christine

2011-07-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Jane LaFazio here. This flag, my third in my series, is for the late Christine Taylor. She was a friend of mine from yoga class, and she died last year of breast cancer. She was 45 years old. At her memorial service, her brother described her as having "boundless warmth, humility and curiousity." That description soooo resonated with me, that I knew that I wanted to have my life guided by those qualities.

Vivika Hansen DeNegre: 30 Flags

2011-07-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

30 Flags Completed and hanging in the garden

When I started this project last month, I had no idea the amount of time, effort, or energy it would take. Although I vowed that each flag would be made in an hour or less, I did not count on the time to photograph the pieces, write blog posts, respond to inquiries, and manage so much information. An hour a day? HA!

Detail - Yes, I do love every "fibre"

I also was not prepared for the response, mostly from people whom I don't know personally, but have befriended through the internet. I did not know that my hopes, dreams, or prayers would touch others, and that connection has been worth every computer glitch, poorly lit photo shoot, and pinched nerve from sewing at midnight.

My initial 30 days of posts are now completed, and I am moving into the next phase of the project which includes the entire fiber community who wishes to participate.

I hope you join your prayers to mine on this blog, and continue to spread good will, kindness, hope, compassion, and understanding through this project.

Vivika

For the Dogs: Andrea Hawkes

2011-07-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

Andrea is an animal lover, and her prayer flag is for Mobey, who like so many others, needs a forever home.

Don't we all have special places in our hearts for pets? In keeping with this post, I wanted to add a comment received on Jane LaFazio's blog a few days ago from a dog who loved her prayer flags... Yes, you read that correctly!

The clever pooch writes, "Wow, prayer flags. We dogs have a similar thing - Wish Sticks. It's pretty much the same story as the flags. Or at least they serve a similar function.

We find sticks we like, chew them for a bit while we think about our wish. Then we leave the stick to release the good thoughts into the world. The stick might be picked up by another dog and have another wish added to it. This helps the first wish grow stronger and so on. The more wishes a stick has, the more likely the wishes will come true. I'll go find a stick right now and chew a wish for your friend Melly.
Tchao-wow from Portugal".

I wish my dog were that eloquent. He's now snoring on the floor at my feet, probably dreaming of some wish stick he left behind...

Thank you, Andrea, for sharing your flag. Thank you Jane for sharing the comment, and thank you Tchao-wow for adding a smile to this post!

Jane Davies: Spreading Blessings On The Wind

2011-07-03T00:40:00.000-07:00

Jane Davies is a fiber artist from Vermont who heard about The Prayer Flag Project from Jane LaFazio's blog post a few weeks ago. She quickly joined the blog and has just submitted her first two flags, and they are beauties.

In her own words,

"I love the idea of prayer flags as a format for artistic expression, as well as their original purpose - to spread blessings on the wind.

I used acrylic paint on muslin, and employed the "resist and water" techniques demonstrated on my blog. I collaged on the fabric with painted/textured deli paper, and used some scribble painted papers. I also did some simple machine stitching and hand beading".

Prayer For A Cure: Ruth Anne Olson

2011-07-02T01:10:00.000-07:00

Ruth Anne Olson has made a beautiful flag using her own hand dyed fabrics, which is hung with a deeply felt prayer for her grandchildren and others who have Cystic Fibrosis. As Ruth Anne explains:

My prayer is for a cure. While I pray for a cure for all my friends and family who have or had cancer, lupus, PLS, AIDS, and other diseases, this prayer is specifically for a cure for cystic fibrosis. Two of my grandchildren were born with it. Advances in medicine, rigorous daily treatments, and lots of drugs have increased life expectancy. However, it remains a fatal disease.

The term "65 Roses" comes from the mispronunciation of cystic fibrosis by a child who suffered from the disease, and the rose has since become a representative symbol for the disease.

And so, Anna and Aidan, Holly, Tiffany, Morgan, and all the others who suffer now or who have not survived, I send up this prayer for you.

The hand-painted fabrics are my own, while the others are a commercial rose print and a rose-motif lace.for a cure.

Mixed Media Prayers by Jane LaFazio: Melly and Hope

2011-07-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

My cyber friend, Jane Lafazio, was quick to jump on the Prayer Flag Project bandwagon, and has generously posted the information about joining the project and making the flags on her popular blog, Janeville.

Jane's work is beautiful: I will let her explain it in her own words...

Jane writes, "My first flag is for my dear friend, Melanie Testa.

Melly is battling breast cancer. She's had chemo and she's going in for surgery on June 21. My first flag flutters in the wind in my backyard, spreading wishes of love and healing to Melly".

Jane's second flag is called "Hope". I wonder if that one is for Melly, too, since she loves birds so much, and the poem fits so well with her spirit.

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chilliest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me
~ Emily Dickinson

Submit Your Work

2011-06-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

1. Email Vivika DeNegre at vdenegre@yahoo.com

2. Make a flag and hang it... take a photo, then send to me along with an artist's statement, prayer, or words to include on the post. I will post flags on this blog as I receive them.

3. "Follow" this blog so you can "pray along" with the other artists (optional).

4. Post your flag on the flickr group linked above (optional).

Together we can make a difference in the world as our prayers are flown and shared with others... Join us!

Linda Miller: Trust

2011-06-30T01:08:00.000-07:00

This lovely flag was made by Linda Miller. I love how it is hanging among the fig leaves in her garden. May we all trust ourselves...

Here is the description in Linda's own words:

Trust is for all of us to connect with what is good in our lives, and to remember that goodness is always available within us. For a start, I send this out to my nephew going to his college orientation. May he trust himself enough to maintain a sense of openness moving out into the world.

To make the flag, I used some raw silk from my stash that I had covered with leaf rubbings several years ago. To that I appliqued, painted, and embroidered further on the flag.

It is a pleasure tocontribute to another flag project in a new format, and to widen the creative circle.

Ileen Miller: A Blessing for Fathers

2011-06-29T00:50:00.000-07:00

Ileen Miller posted her first flag last week... doesn't it look lovely hanging in the garden. So many of the photos I've taken have that same feel... prayers hang on a thread, above the flowers, waiting to join others in the wind...

In her own words:

"A flag made for Father's day--a prayer/blessing for Father's, especially the Parker father's in my life".

Sheer Organza Flag by Martha Wofe: Fathers

2011-06-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

Martha Wolfe is a fiber artist living in Florida. She visited my studio a few weeks ago on a trip to the East Coast, and saw the first few flags in my series. Martha was one of the first to join in and make flags of her own. In her own words:

"I offer my prayer flag for June 19th, Father's Day, in homage to all fathers in general and my father in particular.

I give thanks for my father, a man of many talents. He lived out many happy moments tending his beautiful flower garden, sharing the colorful bounty with those he loved and cared about.

I give thanks for all the other fathers, be they brothers or sons, husbands or friends. May they nurture and guide the next generation with love and wisdom.

"Fathers" was created with hand-dyed fabrics and layered organzas, includes photo transfer and free-motion embroidery details. The packet in the upper right contains seeds from a bouquet of zinnias my father gave me. (note to self: plant the rest). Wanting a little something more, I searched my mother's button box and found a vintage leather button from one of Dad's tweed jackets. I also discovered a tag from a suit my father mail ordered from a "Hong Kong Tailor" back in the 60's. It reads "Specially Made For Mr W. R. Wolfe, Order No 10627". Seems very apropos".

I'm still working on the less than an hour part :)