30 September 2016

Looky what I got!

One of my friends went to an auction and bought this box



I was pretty excited about her giving the box to me when she opened it up to show me what was inside. She paid $1. for it.



It was filled with art supplies



From the left Caron D`Ache neopastels (over $58.00 from Blicks), a plastic pallet. pans for watercolors. a paint brush, mechanical pencils, a sketchbook, water cups and watercolor postcards. I'm not sure what the two pieces of thick Plexiglas are.






This was the inside with black velvet thumb tacked to the box. I pulled it off and I really like the old wallpaper underneath.



28 September 2016

Indigo (part 2)

The next day I wanted to wash the cloth. First I had to iron out the soy wax from my batik. Next there were a few pieces I didn't want to fade so the first time in my life, I bought some Retayne from ProChemical and Dye. I also bought some more pre-reduced indigo crystals, and turquoise and olive dye. I washed the ones I kind of wanted to fade but not much color escaped. 








Then I washed the remaining pieces in Synthropol and Retayne.


Still ugly!!


Organza shibori



                                         Crepe de Chine scarf



I love this batik but then again hot wax and dye are my faves.


I'm pretty happy with this one.




Heavy canvas

26 September 2016

Indigo (part 1)

As you know I cancelled the Maine Event for lack of interest this year. My friend Judith said we should get together and spend "that Saturday" playing in an indigo vet. Another friend came up from Boston and we dipped the day away. Loads of fun was had by everyone.

Judith working on a shibori 


Hot wax station for batik


Indigo vat station


Friend's shibori


The chiffon again


My friend from Boston with clamped shibori


Silk chiffon that started hot pink, yellow, purple, blue and any other garrish colors you can think of


Judith twisting points before the big dip.


Kind of like this


Two pieces of really ugly fabric that came out better after shibori. 


Another old experiment that needed help.


This was from a blog I did on silk screens. I just dipped it whole (no folds) into the indigo.


Judith's



A huge piece of HEAVY canvas. Maybe a bag??

23 September 2016

clean up cloth


Left over thickened (and slightly dried up) dyes



one end


Other end


sections





These last two are the reverse side which is actually nicer





21 September 2016

Cleaning Up

I'm not even sure if this will work but I have some thickened dyes sitting at room temperature for 5 days drying out and I will try to do something rather than toss them.



The mess that I brought home from the workshops


Thickened dyes that maybe I can do something with??

and PS here is the quilted table cover in dappled light. Beautiful



19 September 2016

Finally Finished

This small quilt has been sitting (laying) on my work table pinned and rolled waiting for me. I taught three workshops at Fiber College and had company from Seattle the same weekend. My mistake. Hectic just doesn't cover it!! Well the table cover is done and on the table.


I decided to use this variegated purples thread for the quilting.


This is the quilting process. The puppy was asleep at my feet (so cute)


This is the top completely quilted but not yet trimmed. Owen is supervising.


Trimmed and the binding on. I know the BRIGHT turquoise is a bit off putting but it's the backing and doesn't really show and it was free.


On the table