Hooked on #Tie-Dye

This week I've been experimenting with Ice Dyed Mandalas again, fearing I'd forget what I learned at Cindy Lohbeck's class at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo. I had some scrap fabrics of unknown fiber content, so I tied them up and went to work! Forgot to take pictures of the process, but basically it's tie, soak, then place in a tray, cover with ice, and pour dye on top.

This is what the ice looks like with the dye on it....so pretty in itself!

Here are the results:

The two fabrics above are a gauzy-weave. I assume they were not 100% cotton, as the colors are lighter than the others. But they're still nice!

I just love how each one is totally different, and beautiful!

Fascinating process and results...

I'm hooked on tie-dye mandalas!

#Sew Much Fun at the Expo

I just got back from three days of inspiration at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo, in Lakeland, Florida. This was my third time visiting this annual event, and I was a little apprehensive about it being a repeat, but I learned lots of new techniques, visited some new vendors, and had a great time. Exhausted, sensory-overloaded, and overwhelmed, but SEW inspired!

The first class I took was by Barb Callahan: "Folded Fabric Fun" which involved making an adorable bag using folding adaptations of the Japanese art of Origami. Using some of Barb's collection of fabrics and vintage buttons, we created this pretty pouch and actually finished it in class! I think that's only the second time in my life that I actually finished a new project the same day I started it!

 

On Day Two I attended "Color Your Fabric with Paintstiks" by Laura Murray. I had tinkered with Paintstiks several years ago, and didn't really care for them. But this class converted me to a user! What a wonderful way to get texture and interest on fabric, with little effort and a lot of fun...it was like being a kid again, coloring with crayons! Just look at this fun fabric piece I made, first try!

 

Later that day I took a class from the delightful Joyce Teng from TSC Designs. Her effervescent personality got me so excited about using Tsukineko inks for all kinds of surface design, including stenciling, dyeing, and painting...I was so enchanted, I visited her booth the next day and she was kind enough to share even more techniques and information. Love using inks on fabrics!

The last class I took on the last day was intense...Ice Dyeing in a Mandala pattern. It was NOT easy, VERY messy, but the results were fabulous! Since I've done lots of fabric dyeing with fiber reactive dyes, the technique was familiar, but I had no idea you could somewhat control tie-dyed results with Cindy Lohbeck's binding techniques...very precise and somewhat difficult, but again the results were worth it:

Whew...I learned SEW much...now all I have to do is find time to practice, practice, practice!

My Latest #SurfaceDesign Obsession...

Abstract designs on fabric SHOULD be easy to do...and these totally ARE!

 The first 2 photos are close-ups of the fabric pictured below. 

The technique is super-simple and totally unpredictable....

great exercise for a complex-cloth-control-freak like me to get out of the box.

The best part? It took about 5 MINUTES to get the design on the fabric!

When I get back from my mini-vacation, I'll share the process with you...

in the meantime, you'll just have to guess!

Sinfully Simple #Silk Scarves

Last year, I took a silk dyeing workshop with the talented and amazing Marlene Glickman. We used ColorHue Dyes, and I was instantly enamored with this instant dye process...no chemistry, no steam setting, a real spoiler! I just had to share the technique with my students, so I created a "Sinfully Simple Silk Scarves" workshop. 

We had so much fun, I forgot to take "in process" photos! 

But here are some of the results.

Beautiful, yes? And they got to wear them home that day! 

Thanks, Marlene, for the inspiration!

#Silk Painting Saturdays!

Five lovely ladies had a lot of fun in my Silk Painting worksop, learning the basics of silk painting using Dye-Na-Flow paints and water-based resist from Dharma Trading Company.

After some practice on small samples, 

they penciled their chosen designs on stretched China silk squares, 

then squeezed resist over the outlines. 

Choosing their own color palettes, they then began the fun part of filling in the colors.

So much creativity!

An added bonus was the salt technique, which produced texture and some great effects.

The ladies took their silks and setting instructions home, and they promised to send me photos of what their creations eventually would become (pillows? wall hangings? quilts?) Can't wait to see!

Scrabble Tiles Make Cute Charms!

I've had a lot of fun reviving my Etsy Store but I still have much to do to get it complete! 

My most recent addition is a collection of Scrabble Tile Necklaces:

These are fun to make and fun to wear! 

 I highly recommend Sun and Moon Craft Kits for supplies and information 

about this and other unique jewelry crafts.

Enjoy!

   

Be a Love Magnet

Well, okay, if you can't BE one, then maybe GIVE one! I'll be selling these cute little art quilt magnets and handmade gift boxes at Art & Antique Studio in EGAD, and also at Art & Soul Studio in Satellite Beach. Great inexpensive gift idea!

The "shabby chic" mini-quilt is handmade from repurposed fabrics, 

hand painted and lettered, top stitched with metallic threads. 

The box is also handmade, hand-stamped, filled with white paper shred 

and a tiny matching gift card, all tied up with a pretty ribbon. 

Look what's inside the box:

Ready to add the gift! Paper shred, gift card and ribbon all included!

The magnets are all a little different (that makes them one-of-a-kind!)

Come to the studios to see them all!