tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28086375557703019312024-03-05T13:03:31.454-08:00Desert DyeworksColor, meet Fabric.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-47747656875561670102013-02-02T11:26:00.000-08:002013-02-02T11:26:40.901-08:00The Dangers of Pinterest and Other Random Distractions AKA “Squirrel” <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I get distracted a lot. It’s not a case of undiagnosed Adult
ADHD but your run of the mill “There’s so much cool stuff to make and do, I
want to do it all NOW” syndrome (TSMCSMDS). Symptoms include, but not limited
to, browsing Pinterest and immediately having to make that recipe for those
mini casseroles cooked in muffin tins; starting a craft project inspired by
something you saw on Pinterest(surprise, surprise!!) but having it be
interrupted by having to start another craft project inspired by something you
saw on Pinterest; and having to take pictures of all little neat things you do
and see on a daily basis, including your own or other peoples presentation of
food.</div>
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I believe there was a TSMCSMDS support group but they all
eventually were distracted by something or another. </div>
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But I digress, as many with TSMCSMDS do. My purpose for this
post is to show my solidarity with others who suffer from it, through a picture
tribute to my random distractions over the past two weeks.</div>
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Over the Holidays while visiting family back East the kiddo and I got on a mini paper boat making kick. We made a bunch of boats, took them down to the creek and set sail to the Armada. I am still on that kick and have been making itty-bitty, mini-winnie boats from origami paper to eventually string into a garland of paper boats. A couple of Sundays ago, we sat outside the Starbucks and made a bunch. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC5x12L0tw7FYi8qeuvIw0uCE0BWu0NtL6B8gvh34AvVabg_IH3KmXMxC_1DX2EKgCb4bqCUOYvwz5c1PDUeXKrT56IssXSBH_LdafCtWc8ovB1h09fuNNumQ0ha2w0GeikpjweCt70F8/s1600/boatgarland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC5x12L0tw7FYi8qeuvIw0uCE0BWu0NtL6B8gvh34AvVabg_IH3KmXMxC_1DX2EKgCb4bqCUOYvwz5c1PDUeXKrT56IssXSBH_LdafCtWc8ovB1h09fuNNumQ0ha2w0GeikpjweCt70F8/s400/boatgarland.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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I eventually strung a couple of the little boats and hung them in one of the Kumquat trees in the courtyard.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq736AF2VEJl_2L1l-0y-xPMNvzu4MIyIvjioOvW9eUCcalV21_CsHiBZbysDhyuiWHYyEsiRD1sFU_d1fYXTKjtHQQeKPvdpp9EEdtLTiNH7iWBWng9XHNCGtZvlgUBOFntTd-QRSpfjj/s1600/boatgarlandtree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq736AF2VEJl_2L1l-0y-xPMNvzu4MIyIvjioOvW9eUCcalV21_CsHiBZbysDhyuiWHYyEsiRD1sFU_d1fYXTKjtHQQeKPvdpp9EEdtLTiNH7iWBWng9XHNCGtZvlgUBOFntTd-QRSpfjj/s400/boatgarlandtree.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Last Sunday I found a recipe on Pinterest (where else) for a bread that I couldn't resist making despite the fact that I haven't successfully made a loaf of yeast bread in many, many years. It was an Olive Oil and Rosemary bread from <a href="http://www.ahintofhoney.com/2011/04/rosemary-olive-oil-bread.html" target="_blank">a hint of honey</a>. I made two loaves. The first one I brushed with some bacon fat I had saved and the second one I brushed with the egg wash. The egg wash definitely added a nice crunch to the crust but the bacon fat added a nice flavor.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFl6DKjYtXfNg2YRQUNiCnGwOeyJs1GN2OOjsUksCY16LU9Q2pxuivY2chO52yb42eWXjhw2SKO-qeseSwTfLwM223izeAKjvmIuouBLddmOgZCCGqM6_UZBYb5HqRTQZj0OVUZ9HhccW6/s1600/Olive+oil+rosemary+bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFl6DKjYtXfNg2YRQUNiCnGwOeyJs1GN2OOjsUksCY16LU9Q2pxuivY2chO52yb42eWXjhw2SKO-qeseSwTfLwM223izeAKjvmIuouBLddmOgZCCGqM6_UZBYb5HqRTQZj0OVUZ9HhccW6/s400/Olive+oil+rosemary+bread.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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And last but definitely not least, the kiddo wanted pancakes this morning but we do these so much all I could think was "BORING!" However, I knew Pinterest wouldn't fail me and sure enough I found Mini German Pancakes. Guess what, you make them in a muffin tin. I love muffin tin recipes! This one comes from <a href="http://www.chef-in-training.com/2013/01/mini-german-pancakes/" target="_blank">Chef in Training</a>. </div>
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I didn't follow the recipe precisely. It has you make the pancake batter from scratch but I went for my old standby, Target's Market Pantry Pancake Mix. As I always do, I added some toasted oat bran to the mix. Not only does it make me feel better about using a pre-made pancake mix, the oat bran adds a little sweetness.</div>
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These were super easy and came out perfect! I have some left over, which will make a nice little sweet snack later in the day.</div>
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I think I'll make some <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222224562834515203/" target="_blank">Lasagna Roll-ups </a>today.</div>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-40820303239779275702013-01-15T18:11:00.001-08:002013-01-15T18:11:09.060-08:00Fun with Freezing Cold Temps AKA Ice Buntings<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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We Southwest desert dwellers are the type to shrug off 110’F
weather and put on a heavy winter jacket on the first 60’F fall day. So when
the weatherman said we would be dropping into the 20’s and teens for overnight
temps this week, it was big news. Yes, we get freezes here but a hard freeze is
a rare occurrence as attested to by the un-insulated pipes that run along the
outside walls of many houses here. </div>
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O.k. after those of you who have real winters stop giggling,
I’ll continue…</div>
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I decided that this was the perfect opportunity to make an
ice bunting, something that I thought I might never get to do. I had seen them
a few years ago on the interwebs and thought “that’s neat, too bad it’s
generally nice and mild here in the winter.”</div>
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After I covered the cacti (they go gelatinous and die if it’s
too cold), the bougainvillea, and double checked that the water pipes under the
new house were in a layer of insulation, I broke out the paper cups left over
from a birthday party a few years ago and food coloring. I filled each cup
halfway with water and then put a few drops of food coloring in each. I did
this out on the back deck where they were going to be left out overnight, that
way I would make the inevitable spill of dyed water while transferring them out
there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
As my fingers became increasingly numb with cold, I strung
paperclips to some yarn I had dyed awhile back. I draped the yarn over each cup
so that the paperclip sunk in to the colored water, which would later freeze to
secure the paperclip. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclHxF0eLQl3GmvJccO2wwi3j1lPA14rk0Wav0VvkHAEtkY3gMCcS83qZlM-2cjQNAM-q-iRQcbMf7haY-9omvUIVapBn3W6Z0BS63im41k-CiVZAb8c2U7JAQ1L0l1kGJxK3srq9Ig8se/s1600/DSCN5158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclHxF0eLQl3GmvJccO2wwi3j1lPA14rk0Wav0VvkHAEtkY3gMCcS83qZlM-2cjQNAM-q-iRQcbMf7haY-9omvUIVapBn3W6Z0BS63im41k-CiVZAb8c2U7JAQ1L0l1kGJxK3srq9Ig8se/s400/DSCN5158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv206jWkwn65lzY-DGDu8exHwNzxkF2BqJsGkJK6e2JyO9CXSs0jZC6Fvhn-sD1xmCqfd6FehHhMVx0CCrfJo-9OMZZLcSoDOIxDqbIBKCFUOCyGgRZqxirR9_2m5zUeNUm8GYecV12Ko-/s1600/DSCN5160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv206jWkwn65lzY-DGDu8exHwNzxkF2BqJsGkJK6e2JyO9CXSs0jZC6Fvhn-sD1xmCqfd6FehHhMVx0CCrfJo-9OMZZLcSoDOIxDqbIBKCFUOCyGgRZqxirR9_2m5zUeNUm8GYecV12Ko-/s400/DSCN5160.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I was very excited about my use of the weather to my crafty
advantage and went to bed very satisfied with myself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now the next morning, despite being excited about my ice
bunting, I didn’t immediately run outside to check on it. Why? Well, it was
freezing cold outside!! After warming my core with coffee, slipping my feet
into some fleece socks and slippers, and donning a sweatshirt PLUS a heavy wool
sweater, I went out to check on my creation. I tapped on the top of one of my
frozen concoctions and felt the ice crack. They were mostly frozen but not
completely. I had a remedy for this...the freezer. I gathered up my creation in
a storage box, which btw I should have started them in, stuck it all in the
freezer and went about my day.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ach0hKZ5yGn9Z5Ft4Zp4PweszjJbkSdduQLKT2ycEnL6355wAMnyuahRzMLBR8mbygnPlRp6hm2GYGkS1CmCwmrsuDGYZCH4gG8j61a-s5yZPJCp3a9mQFtUoFvo9oes3Cx19ZbD0akH/s1600/bunting3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ach0hKZ5yGn9Z5Ft4Zp4PweszjJbkSdduQLKT2ycEnL6355wAMnyuahRzMLBR8mbygnPlRp6hm2GYGkS1CmCwmrsuDGYZCH4gG8j61a-s5yZPJCp3a9mQFtUoFvo9oes3Cx19ZbD0akH/s400/bunting3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, as you can imagine, I was very excited to get
home that afternoon. I pulled the bunting out of the freezer, took it to the
front porch and tore the paper cups away from the colored ice and strung the
bunting up. I also got food coloring all over my hands but I didn’t care b/c I
had my ice bunting!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r06mLawN4lpoKKkYBgz6I0f5Yp5x58Wk023qZseFxFsjJnk4SJ8Jomxph9pkot22-iw67V_Y7-cvtiR2rcKStsxqeM2ZlINPKoUUj6XTKhRbp1NvQhW7EjwwyRzU-W2gDawFCfskKd74/s1600/bunting4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r06mLawN4lpoKKkYBgz6I0f5Yp5x58Wk023qZseFxFsjJnk4SJ8Jomxph9pkot22-iw67V_Y7-cvtiR2rcKStsxqeM2ZlINPKoUUj6XTKhRbp1NvQhW7EjwwyRzU-W2gDawFCfskKd74/s640/bunting4.jpg" width="604" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yay for winter weather and to excitedly anticipating this weekend’s
upper 60’F sunny forecast!<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-81269140256389043242013-01-07T05:34:00.000-08:002013-01-07T18:44:46.787-08:00What I Want for My Birthday<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1458705498"></span></a><span id="goog_1458705504"></span><span id="goog_1458705499"></span> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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So, my birthday is this week. I won’t tell you how old I
will be but suffice to say I will be 39 again <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
I am sure everybody reading this is scrambling to figure out what to get me.
Not to worry! I will just come straight out and tell ya.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></div>
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I want food!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, seriously and I’m not being cheeky. I want food for my
birthday. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I actually don’t want you to give me the food. I want
you to give it to your local food bank or any other organization that serves
the food insecure in your area. Go take a peek in your kitchen pantry. See that
can of beans, soup or tuna or that bag of rice or that unopened jar of peanut
butter? That’s what your local food bank needs.<span id="goog_1458705531"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1458705532"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’re voice, you’re time are just as important as anything
that would be given in kind. SO, I want something else for my birthday. I want
you to pass this along. Encourage others to donate food or their time to their
local organizations. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t know where to donate in your local area? <a href="http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx" target="_blank">FeedingAmerica</a> can help.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not in the U.S.? Check out the<a href="http://www.foodbanking.org/site/PageServer?pagename=foodbanking_find" target="_blank"> Global FoodBanking Network</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.foodbanking.org/site/PageServer?pagename=foodbanking_find"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Want to donate your time and support other great
organizations serving the food insecure? One concept that I love is the Community
Café. If you live in the Denver area, you may be familiar with <a href="http://www.soallmayeat.org/" target="_blank">SAME Café</a>. They
are a restaurant that runs on a pay what you can model just like many others
around the United States. Find one near you <a href="http://www.oneworldeverybodyeatsfoundation.org/">http://www.oneworldeverybodyeatsfoundation.org/</a>
and go have a birthday lunch for me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make my birthday this year the best one ever!!<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1250192055"></span><span id="goog_1250192056"></span><span id="goog_1250192050"></span><span id="goog_1250192045"></span> </div>
<span id="goog_1250192070"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGPtU9d6xkiyg2tSVgoPIPjvWEbsTPZvSUnxyin6jpBwNE-0SH-sj89nlYxa89HY8prwtKFzbAcI1QYK_mMHjXQjPO82VuR39So0rGohjQ7QoFFtnGAI_4n6UDatKR_fD9XzpilyEWLEy/s400/40321359134631560_kv2JW9Fo_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="306" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-studies/map-the-meal-gap.aspx</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1250192071"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1250192064"></span><span id="goog_1250192065"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1250192051"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1250192052"></span><br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-70228172383399765222012-12-30T18:32:00.001-08:002012-12-30T18:32:40.651-08:00A Really Full but Short Post for a New Year<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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A new year is upon us and, as tradition tells us, we should
be making resolutions. Things we want or should change about ourselves and our
habits. More often than not, these resolutions are focused inwards, on ourselves.
What would happen if instead of focusing inward, we directed that change on the
communities around us?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Most of us have heard of the concept of Paying it Forward,
someone has done something for you so you “pay it forward” by doing something
for someone else. In the new year, let’s expand that concept to not just Paying
it Forward but Paying it Backwards and Sideways, too. Some might call this the
Ripple Effect, as Libby Birky of <a href="http://www.soallmayeat.org/" target="_blank">SAME Café Denver</a> does. You’ve seen somebody do
good for someone else, which inspires you to pass that good on.</div>
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So, this
year, instead of making resolutions that are given up on by January 15<sup>th</sup>(come
on, let’s be realistic here), make a resolution that’s easy and will go on and
on and on and on…</div>
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Pay it
Forward, Backwards and Sideways as often as you can.</div>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-73159041364383231232010-04-16T09:39:00.000-07:002010-05-01T08:52:45.536-07:00Oooo...fun! A Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesertDyeworks" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwHCWT1dIdJx1bsiwbJfj4YyP8Bcohar2z2oEkiRjTY1bgAYjVRuwnjvO9srZGPmphh-Nn6__6nRgFNBfPXo9F2pkOexCjlpcqVyKcmbskdEb5H6XhOK9UuP9TKTpogdnvXPuH7E5aXE9/s400/16ptmandalaclose12-7.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="400" /></a></div><br />So, usually this Friday spot is occupied by a wonderful fiber artist. I decided to shake things up a little bit and do a giveaway instead. I highly doubt there will be any complaints!<br /><br />You might be asking, "Who is the illustrious fiber artist that is sponsoring the giveaway?"<br /><br />Well, I decided to hit up someone I know very well and have been following her work for years. O.K., it's me!<br /><br />Your next question is probably, "What's the loot?"<br /><br />The 'loot' is one of Desert Dyeworks Starburst Mandala Playsilks. Specifically, this one.<br /><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesertDyeworks?section_id=6921037" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCDNioMOEWk8pD_5dLN5zemSgJFehbpFpnjtPEkfM9R2lLOuB9YsgaWS3lxhdHgltiAY4kBc5HxdLGRDsNE3gDUYxQDT5IzkB-W3gcqanlPDqOtC6C2TXHJFI74NO_52QKx4MV-g86KhL/s400/16ptmandala12-7.jpg" border="0" height="400" width="395" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your child can become whatever they imagine using a playsilks. The silk will transform your child into a butterfly, a wizard, a princess, or anything they dream. There is no limit to a child's imagination!<br /><br />This is a hand dyed play silk. The silk is a large 45" x45" 8mm habatoi(china silk) square. It is dyed using high quality Procion dyes that will last a lifetime.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So, how does one enter to win this playsilk. It's pretty simple. Leave a comment below, making sure you add your email address in the appropriate box so that I can contact you if you're the winner. Don't worry, I won't use it to spam you, I prefer Bacon! The giveaway ends at Midnight(12:00a.m.) PST on Friday April 30th, 2010. Winners will be chosen at random. I will get in touch with the winner within 24hrs. of the contest ending and the winner will have an additional 72hrs. to get in touch or a new winner will be chosen.<br /><br />Speaking of Bacon! A second chance to enter the giveaway is to head over to <a href="http://sixdegreesofetsybacon.squarespace.com/team-member-links/">Esty's Team Bacon! blog</a>, check out one of my team members shops, and leave a second comment here with a link to your favorite item from that team member's shop. Gotta give my team member's props because they are the bacony best!<br /><br />Alrighty then, get to it!Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-74775298727192562362010-04-09T12:32:00.000-07:002010-04-09T12:40:58.195-07:00Friday's Fiber Artist - Hidow Fiber Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HidowFiberFarm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=3edee72733&view=att&th=127e029931f79b3e&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw" width="300" /></a></div><br />
So, after learning a little bit about her farm and fiber art plans for the Summer, my daughter and I have decided we are moving in with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HidowFiberFarm">Hidow Fiber Farm</a>! She doesn't know this yet, but we are very excited to shear some Alpaca, spin some fiber, and dye it using the luscious Summer flowers around the farm.<br />
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Seriously, despite the hard work that goes into raising these animals, who wouldn't dream of being that close to the source of all that luscious fiber? In my mind it's akin to knowing and being apart of where your food comes from.<br />
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Alpaca are bred all over the world for the soft and silky fiber that is produce from its coat. Originally Alpacas were kept as domesticated in the South American Andes, where they were a primary source of fiber for textiles as well as a source for meat. Though, the use of Alpacas for meat in modern times is virtually non-existent, Peruvian law prohibits it.<br />
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Alpaca fiber is a wonderful alternative to sheep's wool. It is generally not prickly like sheep's wool and contains no lanolin, which makes it hypoallergenic. The two primary breeds of Alpaca bred today are the Huacaya and Suri. The Suri is identified by its long 'dreadlock'-type fleece, which produces longer silky fibers. Huacaya have a denser, 'woolier' fleece.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44274661" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.135615249.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huacaya Fiber from Hidow Fiber Farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Veronica, the talented 'fiberista' of Hidow Fiber Farm, has exploded with creativity in the few short years she has been playing with fiber. Besides the the wet felt and needle felt creations she makes, Veronica also shares her wonderful Alpaca fiber and sheep's wool with us fiber addicts.<br />
<br />
A passion for man's best friend, dogs (sorry cat lovers!), inspires many of the needle felt creations in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HidowFiberFarm">Hidow Fiber Farm's Etsy shop</a>. I especially love her Samoyed pup. The big tail flopped to the side gives it a wonderful personality!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42224063" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.133444166.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needle Felt Samoyed by Hidow Fiber Farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Though as a dyer I love bright colors, this brown/red Suri fiber does it for me!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44411119" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.136076144.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown/red Suri Fiber by Hidow Fiber Farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table> But enough about what I think! Let's here from Veronica herself:<br />
<i>"Hidow Fiber Farm is located on over 100 acres in the Thumb area of Michigan. Our farm has been in the Hirons family for over 125 years. Grandma and Grandpa Hirons only had girls, so when we bought the name changed to Dowling. The name of Hidow was thought up by Grandma, it was her way of combining the family names to represent the farm, we have kept it in her honor.</i><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I have always been interested in the process of fleece to yarn, and I dreamed of learning to spin someday. While showing dairy goats around the country I used to love watching the llama and alpaca shows and visiting the alpaca area but because of their prices never dreamed I would own one. Two years ago the dream of owning an alpaca became reality. My first 3 Huacaya alpacas were rescues, traded for bales hay. Soon after, the local alpaca herd was selling out and I added several. This spring I bought another 5 Suri fiber males. Currently we have a total of 13 Huacaya and Suri Alpacas and a flock of Shetland sheep. </i></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I jumped into the fiber world with both feet, even before I had any of my own to play with. A drop spindle bought from ebay along with some fiber and You Tube videos taught me how to use a spindle. Then I found an alpaca site with felting so I started researching that area of fiber art. Some locally made goat milk soap and some fiber from ebay and we had felted bars of soap. Then I made the trip over to Zielingers in Frankenmuth and brought home a needle felting kit. A trip to Mary Maxim where I bought several books and a needle felt kit to make a dog. Then I found the "Felt a Dog" book for even more inspiration. With the basics in place I got braver and started 'needleing' (as my 6 yr old calls it) my own creations. I love feeling and watching a dog or other animal take form in my hands. I start with a roll of fiber and just keep adding a little fiber here, a little there and soon I have a sculpture. There are times when I think a project is finished and put it away only to pull it out a few days later and realize there is more to be done with it. Because I also show dogs I try to base my fiber creations on correct representatives of the breed. </i></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><i>It is spring time so that means that right now I am enjoying the process of harvesting my own fiber. There is just something so satisfying about being in the barn and shearing your own animals. Last year I used scissors to shear my alpacas. This year I am better prepared and will be using shears to harvest their fiber. Alpaca shearing will start in May. I have sheared most of my Shetland Sheep in the past two weeks by a combination of rooing, scissors and electric shears.</i></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Right now I am just enjoying the process. The process begins with feeding and caring for these wonderful animals every day. I find it to be very grounding to reap the rewards of my labor when I shear them. Alpaca fiber and wool are renewable sources, just like our hair, they grow their fiber back for the next years harvest. Alpaca is one of the softest fibers out there. Because of the way it is constructed items made from alpaca dont have to be bulky in order to be warm, it is truly a luxury fiber.</i></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Besides working full time and having 1 child still at home, I also breed and Shetland Sheepdogs and dabble in photography. I take care of my animals every day and help my husband with the farming. This summer I am going to giving dying a try with some of the plants growing around the farm. There are so many different things to do with fiber I hope to give them all a try......hmmmmmm learning to weave looks like fun too........oh, and wet felting......... and....... :-)"</i></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HidowFiberFarm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=3edee72733&view=att&th=127e029931f79b3e&attid=0.2&disp=inline&zw" width="300" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div></div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-41736116073195172622010-04-06T20:08:00.000-07:002010-04-06T20:08:29.486-07:00Tyeing and Dyeing a Rainbow Playsilk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43135673" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeajWlouhLozdPd-Yfa0ANorQDiTrxFcNLhvQYF6MRZQf8qZriCwNzXQdGHNAKRWU3S-WEmgVxVGbIMtC_zgK26VgOIDjTLxKcq4u-54lavW2G7wXb6mCLsoygOxRJaG94EC9mqOeiy_AN/s400/bigrainbow3-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I recently had someone inquire about how to tie-dye a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34208071">Rainbow Silk</a>. She was frustrated because her attempts resulted in white areas where the different color section were tied off. This is a common problem that is easily remedied.<br />
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In tie-dye, string or rubberbands create an area of 'resist'. This means that the dye is prevented from going into the area that is tied. In most cases with tie-dye, binding in strategic places helps to control the spread of dye into other areas. This is the case when dyeing a Rainbow Silk.<br />
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The key is to tie the string or rubberband tight enough to 'encourage' the dye color to stay in it's designated area, but not too tight that you get a harsh delineation between colors. A nice 'meeting of the color' is what we're after.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnALWDdq1s2_uBy0-ZomqufRNvhOdJn3MLTR34cDU3MI7B0aCf0JClCsU1rBW7pbvIL_AUcs5ZIkkwgr1kdxjdb0whrNhVEo84QTA5uHGGE905A-kvNc59KiUW_cISzfIiupMOhRqjXPIO/s1600-h/tie-ing1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnALWDdq1s2_uBy0-ZomqufRNvhOdJn3MLTR34cDU3MI7B0aCf0JClCsU1rBW7pbvIL_AUcs5ZIkkwgr1kdxjdb0whrNhVEo84QTA5uHGGE905A-kvNc59KiUW_cISzfIiupMOhRqjXPIO/s400/tie-ing1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I prefer to use cotton kitchen twine to tie my items with. I feel I get better control of the tie and it's tightness with it. I used to use those tiny hair rubberbands, but once I started using the twine, I have never looked back. Artificial sinew works well, too.<br />
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I tie my silk off in five sections. One for red, yellow, green, blue, and purple. I generally eyeball the size of each section, maneuvering the tied string when I am finished if the section sizes seem uneven.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN7grXiVOToDac-MocBvKQtRyvthTapnQZ60TCqG7pq7nSD_O48TlOF4CNaNb09Jky_ZKFpJdPhsVEa2-xZWSoii7ainHoWE66GubYLtdqasrtPL4n1mwWQY4VHcaqC5kJUVPcW1Sd3LM/s1600-h/donetie-ing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN7grXiVOToDac-MocBvKQtRyvthTapnQZ60TCqG7pq7nSD_O48TlOF4CNaNb09Jky_ZKFpJdPhsVEa2-xZWSoii7ainHoWE66GubYLtdqasrtPL4n1mwWQY4VHcaqC5kJUVPcW1Sd3LM/s400/donetie-ing.jpg" width="342" /></a></div><br />
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After the silk is all tied up and has soaked in the soda ash solution (and is as wet or dry as you like), it's time to start dyeing. Find a good spot to set-up. When it is warm out I like to set-up outside. Another good spot is the the tub. I set-up using a milk crate with some newspaper on top to dye on. For quick directions on how to mix up your dye, please refer to the <a href="http://desertdyeworks.blogspot.com/2010/03/star-mandala-tutorial-part-2-dyeing.html">Star Mandala tutorial</a>.<br />
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I prefer to work from darker to lighter, purple down to red. Freely saturate the open areas of the silk with color, just be careful not to oversaturate creating puddles of dye on your dyeing surface. Things get tight around the area where the color sections meet and have been bound by string. Get the nozzle into the folds around the tied areas and gently squeeze dye into them. This is also a good time to gently give the tied area a squeeze to encourage the dye to get in the nooks and crannies. It also helps to prevent the stark delineation between color sections and encourage blending. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mH-Zu3grmtAJmOivAhF7yy-EHSsG_J0vBuOoxyrguIYjcl0VTyiAumh7krNY7xtPe5KS5FXi_rAGRdSDXHaV8SCWCAX70-Mwxqdu2p6aPS6NIpXYQS7BL349Itval4iku9H0nCweKNfQ/s1600-h/mantutedye2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mH-Zu3grmtAJmOivAhF7yy-EHSsG_J0vBuOoxyrguIYjcl0VTyiAumh7krNY7xtPe5KS5FXi_rAGRdSDXHaV8SCWCAX70-Mwxqdu2p6aPS6NIpXYQS7BL349Itval4iku9H0nCweKNfQ/s400/mantutedye2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Once you have dyed your whole silk, give it some more gentle squeezes to encourage some nice color blending. wrap your fabric in plastic wrap or a plastic bag to ensure that it stays moist during the curing process. Find a warm spot for you dyed mandala to cure for about 24 hours. For the dye to react and cure properly it needs to be kept at or above room temperature. When it is not sunny and warm outside I like to place my dyed silks on a baking sheet and set it inside the oven(not on).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7mLi64kr5Wp1F2W6DOPGkSEIZzzUq1HsNbyo6uK6SgeY2EzV8l1ouLJ5F5EEmW_l4g1b2yNr_oGIj76bNQE4wm3oprQ00s8ygXe5HPm9_fmQBgMrpMi_0PYg2WK0AdzsNe3s4jV8raFz/s1600-h/ugly4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7mLi64kr5Wp1F2W6DOPGkSEIZzzUq1HsNbyo6uK6SgeY2EzV8l1ouLJ5F5EEmW_l4g1b2yNr_oGIj76bNQE4wm3oprQ00s8ygXe5HPm9_fmQBgMrpMi_0PYg2WK0AdzsNe3s4jV8raFz/s400/ugly4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
After your dyed mandala has cured for 24 hours, rinse it out. I use a special textile detergent, but a mild detergent such as Dawn dish soap will do. Fill up a dish tub with fairly hot water and detergent. While still bound, place your dyed mandala in the tub. Swish it around to encourage excess dye out of the fabric. Dump the water and add some more. Add more detergent, too, if you feel it necessary. Swish it a bit more, and then cut the ties binding the folds. Place your mandala back in the tub and swish some more. Dump the water again, and then add more water. On this step I usually let the fabric sit in there for a little while to encourage excess dye to be released. After this, you can pull the fabric out of the tub and do a final rinse under the faucet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34208071" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZ-vXrpIlOfZWA7TCh1xcbeFyErWfluK6ITNzjTDP9Jseji75aPRWQ-eInxhuKwVHwuk1EACVqnYAv8GD7-q1w89HVlme0eUUkDEdOAjmDkdfqzbSED_zrVavUKhZ08l77oOfn8RKQY8P/s400/Rainbowcanopyoutside2-27.jpg" width="393" /></a></div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-77128023714922398502010-04-02T14:38:00.000-07:002010-04-02T14:38:05.082-07:00Friday's Fiber Artist(s) - Bacon!O.k. so Bacon! isn't the name of the fiber artist, and I don't have an individual fiber artist to feature but a few. I have been a little distracted this week by, you guessed it, Bacon! So, I will quickly plug (again) the newest Etsy Street Team, <a href="http://sixdegreesofetsybacon.squarespace.com/">Team Bacon!</a> and move on to featuring some Bacon! inspired fiber artists.<br />
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First off, I am going to show you how Bacon! and needle felting find a happy place together. Here at the Dyeworks aka my house, we have just started to explore needle felting. My daughter has really taken to it. So much so that I have barely gotten a chance to do any. She currently working on making a little Easter egg.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDufRJhzkIRV9DQD7JUsT8cmAOmKI104SR7_rg3A1aoGpjPQmrwkwm6L4QkJ8cdsS2m-BSA66qVJXWXifZNfJowfnFkYcENT0nB36q74l7J-W6LgzaZwxnMvytQF2k6v3_JBHC57Ad2f-/s1600-h/maya4-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDufRJhzkIRV9DQD7JUsT8cmAOmKI104SR7_rg3A1aoGpjPQmrwkwm6L4QkJ8cdsS2m-BSA66qVJXWXifZNfJowfnFkYcENT0nB36q74l7J-W6LgzaZwxnMvytQF2k6v3_JBHC57Ad2f-/s400/maya4-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Needle felting has been in industrial use since the mid-1800's but wasn't put into use as a handcraft until the 1980's. This is when David and Eleanor Stanwood transferred the needle from an industrial needle felting loom for use as a hand held tool.<br />
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The felting is done by the repeated action of 'poking' the fiber with specially designed needles. The needles come in different gauges and the tips are barbed so that the fibers are pulled and pushed together.<br />
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Needle felting is very useful to create sculpted and detailed felted pieces, such as these <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42979672">Bacon! bookmarks</a> from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FeltLikeHelping">Felt Like Helping</a> on Etsy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42979672" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.131193568.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon Bookmarks by FeltLikeHelping</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Although being a Bacon!ite inspires her work, Felt Like Helping also creates some beautiful needle felted flowers. I definitely appreciate her flowers as my first needle felting project was a flower that went monstrously wrong. I will not post a picture of my monstrosity as I fear the needle felting police would come and repossess my felting supplies! Instead, please bask in one of her flower creations.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42640983" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.130038283.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oxeye Daisy Bookmark by FeltLikeHelping</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Of course, people still wet felt, which is useful in creating pieces on a larger scale. In this process, the fibers are 'tangled' together by using moisture, heat, and agitation. Some of you may have inadvertently wet felted a nice wool sweater when you tossed it in the washer (oopps!). Welt felting can be done using either a previously knitted/crocheted item or using loose roving.<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrischunski">Chris Chunski</a> has created this awesome <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40542468">Bacon! scarf</a> by wet felting loose wool roving. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40542468" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.122868865.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We Felted Bacon Scarf by Chris Chunski</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Speaking of scarves, here are a couple of Bacon!y creations using a fiber art medium close to my heart, silk and dye. The first is from an fiber artist we have already gotten to know here, <a href="http://desertdyeworks.blogspot.com/2010/03/fridays-fiber-artist-teegee.html">TeeGee</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=22924308" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.105792449.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubble Silk Bacon Scarf by TeeGee</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This scarf, handpainted by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/crrysstall">Crrysstall</a> on Etsy, is a light and whimsical take on wearing your favorite food.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34135066" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.101229581.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand Painted Silk Bacon Scarf by Crrysstall</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
O.K. (looks out the window to check outside), the Universe hasn't gone haywire because I've combined two of my favorite things in one blog post! All is good. Go forth, eat Bacon! and create!Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-92043134134312374112010-04-01T07:41:00.000-07:002010-04-06T15:48:56.302-07:00Team Bacon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
It's a craze that's sweeping the nation, Bacon! Well, o.k. not really. But if it did we would be a happier and more unified world. Bacon! brings people together. A perfect example is a group of us creative and slightly zany (boy, that's an understatement) Etsyians.<br />
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So, we've made our Bacon! solidarity official by joining forces and forming Team Bacon! Here's a few words from our fearless leader <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllegroArts">Allegro</a>.<br />
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<i>"So what does Team Bacon! do, and what do we have in store for the future?<br />
Like any other Etsy team, our primary goal is to join together sellers with a common interest and use our collective talents to promote our work. But Team Bacon! is more than just that. We are a collection of very unusual, humorous, and highly talented crafters. We don't follow trends, we make them."</i><br />
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In a Bacon! powered frenzy we have created a <a href="http://sixdegreesofetsybacon.squarespace.com/">Team blog</a>, a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/pages/Team-Bacon-Etsy/111131975564821">Fan Page</a> on Facebook, and we're on <a href="https://twitter.com/EtsyBacon">Twitter</a>. It's amazing what a little bacony motivation can get accomplished in a little over a week!<br />
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The blog is simply wonderful. Not only can you find links to wonderful Etsy shops, but there are bacon recipes and a bit of trivia, to boot. We are also trying to team up with the charity organization SixDegrees.org to turn the power of Bacon! into a force for good.<br />
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Our last hurdle is to be officially recognized by Etsy so we can get our marketing into full swing. So, I say, "Free the Bacon!"<br />
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Oh, how could I forget the wonderful giveaways! Here is the current giveaway. A cute ACEO print by our own <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/moonstr">Moonstr</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sixdegreesofetsybacon.squarespace.com/giveaways/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sixdegreesofetsybacon.squarespace.com/storage/moonstr%20bacon%20item.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1270019981291" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speck ist gut by Moonstr</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
La gente, unido, siempre queiran tocino!Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-49413111669329578962010-03-26T13:17:00.000-07:002010-03-26T13:18:31.725-07:00Friday's Fiber Artist - Cactus Bloom FibersOoo..how exciting and luscious! This week's featured artist is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/cactusbloomfibers">Cactus Bloom Fibers</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39686334" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.119963400.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CoreSpun Recycled Silk Yarn by Cactus Bloom Fibers</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>As exemplified by the above silk yarn spun from a recycled silk, Patricia of Cactus Bloom Fibers has given a modern twist to the ancient art of fiber spinning. It is also a wonderful example of her versatility; dyeing and spinning traditional fibers AND transferring this process to non-traditional spinning materials from the world around her. Just take a look at this scarf!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36709679" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.109914349.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handspun Wool and Recycled Silk Tie Scarf by Cactus Bloom Fibers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The spinning of fibers into yarn is a fiber art form that dates back to prehistoric times. It evolved from rolling tufts of fiber along the leg, to attaching fiber to a stone and twirling, to a spindle and distaff, and the "revolutionary" spinning wheel. Modern industrial spinning techniques make use of high-speed rotary and open-ended spinning.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/cactusbloomfibers" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoD5a_6dtZxDaUaHxvnCrpz0gx-MRGGuvkzOofMS3REEYcVrc2vEYLFD9rF8KWGYx1ALQpzH0HFePljfl_myHsGvJw6pSaHQ9dTMniNmv5YRFyQKvbcyOUgHbdaGRC6HI9PB-vNxKbrFe/s400/dyed+fiber3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand-dyed Fiber by Cactus Bloom Fibers</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Though there are many varieties of spun fiber at the big name craft stores, it is artists like Patricia that keep the medium alive and fresh. It is the individual artistic whim that gives handdyed roving and handspun yarns the perfect touch for yarn and needle crafts. The ability to create unique items from the yarn and fiber at Cactus Bloom Fibers is abundant!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41215486" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.125170902.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handspun Thick and Thin Worsted Merino Wool Yarn by Cactus Boom Fibers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32011864" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.110028174.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plumberry Handspun Art Yarn by Cactus Bloom Fibers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's hear from Patricia about how her love of color and interest in spinning came to be:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Cactus Bloom Fibers is a name I chose for my business because I consider myself a desert transplant. I currently live in Springfield, Missouri but grew up in Arizona. When I was coming up with ideas for a name, I kept coming back to cactus blooms. In Arizona, my brother and I used to explore the desert and mountains around us. My family used to take us on hiking trips around the state, as well. To me, the desert is beautiful - and one of the most beautiful things you can see are cactus in bloom with bright luscious yellows, pinks or reds. Those seem to be the colors I use most in my dyeing, including large amounts of green.</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<i> I have a passion for color, but texture is wonderful, too. I love working with natural fibers such as wool and silk. I enjoy dying & blending my own fibers and spinning them into interesting & beautiful yarn.</i><br />
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<i> I've dabbled in a lot of creative fields, such as silversmithing & jewelry making, quilting, sewing, knitting and needlework. Lately, I've been designing felt brooches/baubles to coordinate with my handspun yarn. I've noticed that my best creative moments come when there is no pressure to create - and I'm just living in the moment, enjoying the process.</i><br />
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<i>A few years ago, I became intensely interested in the process of dyeing yarn and fiber. I did quite a bit of online research, read online tutorials (there's tons of them online), checked out books at the library, bought books and also watched any program on TV that had anything to do with spinning or dyeing fiber that I could find. The only thing I didn't do was take a class. I'm just not a class-taker. I like learning independently and and some classes can move at a pace that puts me to sleep! </i><br />
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<i>If someone were to ask me why I love spinning colorful fibers into yarn, I would say that it's the tactile quality that is so appealing. I bet that is why most women who spin yarn like it, too. What's really wonderful to me about dyeing fibers and spinning them into yarn is that I get to use my creativity to make fiber art, but in turn, that fiber art is something that can be made into something useful and beautiful. It's a 2-in-1 process that I just find amazing. I would also say that wool is my all-time favorite fiber (as is probably for many spinners). When someone asks me why I love wool so much, I usually say "There's just something about wool..." because I don't want to lecture them on all the wonderful attributes it has - and some people get the glassy-eyed look that tells me I'm being too educational.</i><br />
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<i>I stay busy working full-time at an office job during the day, winning bread, etc. for my family...The most positive thing I can say about the office job is it gets any need for structure and orginazation out of my system. When I am home working on the fiber arts, I can just let go and let the creativity kick in. Of course, there's kids to deal with, pets to feed, dinner to be fixed and hopefully (if I'm being really good - 20 minutes of exercise to fit in somewhere). The weekends are my big creative-outlet time. </i><br />
<i> I would love to work as a full-time fiber artist some day and maybe fill any needs for structure or organization in other ways."</i></div><br />
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Thank you Patricia for sharing a little bit about yourself and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/cactusbloomfibers">Cactus Bloom Fibers</a>. By the way, my daughter has suggested that the roving below would be a perfect choice for me to buy her for her next needle felting project!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38171806" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.114806996.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden Flow Falkland Wool Roving by Cactus Bloom Fibers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-43810553071420355092010-03-19T10:46:00.000-07:002010-03-19T10:54:52.424-07:00Friday's Fiber Artist - TeeGee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello fiber arts lovers! I am very excited to be featuring this weeks artist, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/teegee">TeeGee</a>.</div><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1268962691544"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15269038" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbSUN2E_hnPl5Shh7FPG8yl-jVhfOfCNa4sZWs4B12BRLHp2-lN9PWKL75BGr5OeFS2g7CCUPq2QN__6gQ5UHmm6oiEaiUZYQAQW-IApCYMaN1CjcdwJKmXisky_Y9PoH2y6Z7ScQXip4/s400/TeeGeeFlame.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #444444;">Oak Flame Velvet Shibori Scarf by TeeGee</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>TeeGee is also known as Mom, Beth, and quite possibly "Hey, Lady". Like many who love fibers and textiles, Beth has fallen for more than one medium. After focusing on quilting off and on for 8 years, she has turned her creative inquisitiveness to the Japanese art of Shibori. This is a form of pleating, folding, stitching, binding, and dyeing of fabric that can be traced back to 8th Century Japan.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35497345" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFfGgxMjsSyD7YC9ExCFFz2bjDuD4J4i6ZxLMempuGyCBFCB6rNvpYdEdHNsXBdPqimO-7I-LIdT9IzigJEfFHTZjm3YtT897CGLSJ8gK_R-2FIWSJ7NJm7AnGaJ2YtU40tbF8Xi7Mb94/s640/BomakiArashiTeeGee.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444;">Velvet Bomaki and Arashi Shibori Scarf by TeeGee</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Beth utilizes various Shibori techniques to create the magnificent scarves at TeeGee's. These methods include Bomaki Shibori and Arashi Shibori. In the Bomaki method, the scarf is dyed, stiched, then compressed on a large pole. After it is compressed on the pole, the color is discharged from certain areas and then overdyed with another color. In Arashi, the scarf is stitched, then compressed and wrapped on a large pole, which creates areas of resist where the dye cannot penetrate. Then thickened dye is applied to the pole wrapped scarf.<br />
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Although anyone who knows me is familiar with my love of silk scarves(you should see my coat rack), I absolutely love the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36215885">Bamboo Rainbow Socks</a>. I love how she incorporates the use of Shibori to create these fun and colorful socks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36215885" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo6RVwd4wirhjWPq3gKD0JRhlAGKTCO45k6apvuPN3JIci14Qp65O3F-pjgnaki3UkrGqvXiX20cBYHU1WH4O65dLRocemSNohv_59y2knrBA-eMCKOb0ppGIUsKAKv7WN3EcR6sDy3TI/s400/TeeGeeSocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444;">Hand Dyed Rainbow Socks for Little Kids by TeeGee</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="margin: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Here is Beth in her own words describing her creative evolution:</span></span><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">"As a kid and in high school I tended to gravitate away from sewing and needlework as crafts and more towards building and tactile type arts, like pottery and sculpture.</span></i></span></div><div style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I returned to sewing as an adult, first as a utilitarian quest, making linens and so forth for our apartment and making costumes and sometimes clothes for my little ones. Quilting caught my attention early on and I found I really enjoyed staying up till all hours after the kids were asleep designing & piecing quilt tops. Like a lot of quilters I have come across- I seemed to have an aversion to actually finishing them. I just like the designing & piecing. There is a shelf full of unfinished quilts- just waiting for me to get them sandwiched and quilted.</span></i></span></div><div style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">It was when I was looking for “jus</span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">t the right color” for a q</span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">uilt I was putting together, that I</span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> tried dyeing my first fabric, just a few fat quarters</span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">, in the sink. I loved doing it but didn’t really have enough room</span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> to go all out with a dye studio, so that hobby was shelved till about 2006 when I picked it back up again and I started dyeing gradations and full color wheels on cotton. Soon after I started doing scarves in Low Water Immersion- which I really love doing because in a way it seems so simple but can go oh so wrong if the wrong colors start blending. </span></i></span></div><div style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I also love playing with wax on fabric, and honestly I think the most “fun” is using splattering soy wax in random patterns. </span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I’ve also experimented with mono-printing with thickened dye, </span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">and various kinds of resists like potato & corn starch, and even old fencing from my garden. </span></i></span></div><div style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I’ve been reading and studying about shibori for the last few years, I love the effects of the colors on velvet, especially when discharged and overdyed a few times. It’s always a surprise, usually a good one. It is very labor intensive, but so worth it when you unravel the threads and start rinsing – I love that moment more than any other when I’m working with dyes. </span></i></span></div><div style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I have a bit of creative ADD- as I can’t quite always focus on one thing. Right now I’m taking advantage of a new sewing machine and finally returning to using the raw fabrics I’ve dyed. So far in the works: a quilt and several shawls & constructed scaves and a few bags. I’ve also finally tried dyeing fiber again and hope to find a way to work it into my work with all these textiles. I love the process of taking boring white fabrics and manipulating it texturally and with color to make something completely different. Now if I could only find the time after my day job and my family to do that on a regular basis- then I’d be golden."</span></i></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=8390508" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4o8DzVDw74ix3HWzri35mYbZx63Yx3GzEBrO0PZ3AknaBz7o4r6ZHNEtd0K8lI801gogUGWGmADoBQ40FQ-XiMbu2IKaDeFM0mJqd99dN9E1dRy6bFiyPNireLgNPU_lxwDBmwc99f8DJ/s400/TeeGeebatikWillow.jpg" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batiked Willow Branch SIlk Charmeuse Scarf by TeeGee</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I want to give a big thanks to Beth for allowing me to feature her and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/teegee">TeeGee</a> on Desert Dyeworks. If you have any questions about Shibori or any other techniques that Beth uses, please feel free to leave a comment with your questions.<br />
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Happy Friday!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-91137856999754248762010-03-17T08:22:00.000-07:002010-03-17T08:22:19.826-07:00Star Mandala Tutorial Part 2 - Dyeing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g05-0oqJ4jc2LLMiJKo7wRaZ7M7QVBa9hihw0jRNL6PCJ2y3Q5OcPzBVLPC7CqManDiXE5tneJz5DDOh-CsJ7CuCH1bC_cu5gyb8GF54-ak2uY582Rre6rTXzDVeG0wsyvguVKoIM0D3/s1600-h/mantutedye1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g05-0oqJ4jc2LLMiJKo7wRaZ7M7QVBa9hihw0jRNL6PCJ2y3Q5OcPzBVLPC7CqManDiXE5tneJz5DDOh-CsJ7CuCH1bC_cu5gyb8GF54-ak2uY582Rre6rTXzDVeG0wsyvguVKoIM0D3/s400/mantutedye1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
So you've let your folded and bounded fabric soak in a soda ash solution for about 15 minutes. I prefer to let my items dry after the soda soak. You can do this, or wring out excess solution and get busy dyeing. So, let's get to it!<br />
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Find a good spot to set-up. When it is warm out I like to set-up outside. Another good spot is the the tub. I set-up using a milk crate with some newspaper on top to dye on.<br />
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So, let's get the dye ready! Using a glass jar with a good lid is great for getting the dye thoroughly mixed. Once you have put on your dust mask, fill your jar with one cup of water. If you want to make a lesser amount of dye, that's fine. Just adjust the amount of dye and water proportionally. For 1 cup of water add 1 tbsp. of dye powder. Secure the lid on your jar, and shake vigorously. Some colors mix more easily than others i.e. yellows vs. reds. Shake until all the dye particles are dissolved. Funnel your mixed dye into a squeeze bottle.<br />
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So, your dye is mixed and your dye area is set-up. Put on your gloves and get dyeing!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mH-Zu3grmtAJmOivAhF7yy-EHSsG_J0vBuOoxyrguIYjcl0VTyiAumh7krNY7xtPe5KS5FXi_rAGRdSDXHaV8SCWCAX70-Mwxqdu2p6aPS6NIpXYQS7BL349Itval4iku9H0nCweKNfQ/s1600-h/mantutedye2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mH-Zu3grmtAJmOivAhF7yy-EHSsG_J0vBuOoxyrguIYjcl0VTyiAumh7krNY7xtPe5KS5FXi_rAGRdSDXHaV8SCWCAX70-Mwxqdu2p6aPS6NIpXYQS7BL349Itval4iku9H0nCweKNfQ/s400/mantutedye2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I prefer to start at the tip of the mandala and work my way outward. When working on smaller areas using steady drips of dye instead of a stream of dye gives you better control of where the dye goes. It also helps to keep you from applying too much dye and ending up with a puddle of dye on your dyeing surface. When you are getting the dye on folded areas and areas around where the folds are bound, it helps to stick the nozzle into the folds to get the dye down into the fabric.<br />
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Once you have completed dyeing one side of the mandala, flip it over and begin dyeing the other side. A quick note though, I prefer to wait to dye the outer fill color area of the fabric until after I have dyed both sides of the inner mandala.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDun-St7b7oAOaci8YXAJF1lCJyIrHPaR3qCvc3jgA_HyiN1M9cJEEWDM3mPaoNhtInWj56URk7xJtYBDu3Bh0Rhgj32Kthk06WTn1zmcmCI7djWR8QLVjoXfia0T6NJphHzGtMisp-hv/s1600-h/mantutedye3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDun-St7b7oAOaci8YXAJF1lCJyIrHPaR3qCvc3jgA_HyiN1M9cJEEWDM3mPaoNhtInWj56URk7xJtYBDu3Bh0Rhgj32Kthk06WTn1zmcmCI7djWR8QLVjoXfia0T6NJphHzGtMisp-hv/s400/mantutedye3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444;">Get the tip of the bottle into the folds</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table> When dyeing the outer fill color area, you can use one color or use more than one. When I use more than one color, I start with the lighter color first, and then add the darker color(s) in lesser amounts. When applying the dye here, I give the fabric gentle squeezes to encourage the dye into the inner layers. I then flip the fabric over, and then apply the dye similarly to this side.Once you have finished dyeing, wrap your fabric in plastic wrap or a plastic bag to ensure that it stays moist during the curing process. Find a warm spot for you dyed mandala to cure for about 24 hours. For the dye to react and cure properly it needs to be kept at or above room temperature. When it is not sunny and warm outside I like to place my dyed silks on a baking sheet and set it inside the oven(not on).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIFOq6-xKJVyWKhPtPtDNDe61FzFtTvnkHwxxPdlsB4C_yEAjFLAiPOfc9GNU5KaqIiJClUt91TDfvo-id9-4T7sTQLr1K85OzfYRfXbz77gIDCE9novVs4Dle1dX8PXuain6ChN7Qukk/s1600-h/mantutedye5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIFOq6-xKJVyWKhPtPtDNDe61FzFtTvnkHwxxPdlsB4C_yEAjFLAiPOfc9GNU5KaqIiJClUt91TDfvo-id9-4T7sTQLr1K85OzfYRfXbz77gIDCE9novVs4Dle1dX8PXuain6ChN7Qukk/s400/mantutedye5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444;">Apply dye to the outer area last</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>After your dyed mandala has cured for 24 hours, rinse it out. I use a special textile detergent, but a mild detergent such as Dawn dish soap will do. Fill up a dish tub with fairly hot water and detergent. While still bound, place your dyed mandala in the tub. Swish it around to encourage excess dye out of the fabric. Dump the water and add some more. Add more detergent, too, if you feel it necessary. Swish it a bit more, and then cut the ties binding the folds. Place your mandala back in the tub and swish some more. Dump the water again, and then add more water. On this step I usually let the fabric sit in there for a little while to encourage excess dye to be released. After this, you can pull the fabric out of the tub and do a final rinse under the faucet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvI2qlfG2Fhvw0G8p4rd3Uq0BPyAFMiBVg3flkTobASkeZjx9UbHZ9JmqG7AcIaOHlxPKN7Ww8QhxX7D13KZjAtz2fCP5Or3vKF9wyEDH6hV194_yK4l0fEtveoQaEDCnQhq_IO6MwwVr/s1600-h/rastastar2-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvI2qlfG2Fhvw0G8p4rd3Uq0BPyAFMiBVg3flkTobASkeZjx9UbHZ9JmqG7AcIaOHlxPKN7Ww8QhxX7D13KZjAtz2fCP5Or3vKF9wyEDH6hV194_yK4l0fEtveoQaEDCnQhq_IO6MwwVr/s400/rastastar2-16.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444;">Result of color combo used for this tutorial</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hang to dry or toss it into the dryer.<br />
Voila! You have your mandala!Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-88811439453697947812010-03-15T13:44:00.000-07:002010-03-15T13:50:17.197-07:00Star Mandala Tutorial Part 1- Folding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMJwdduNnwBxM56cOoiC9srs_7REVR5NfgtaB4C4v1P-LggtVrjrEgpbZBLZAyxJUO8Y4OhLKWzrJDDvmAR__ktWZ1YlD2TMih-yRImhMs3xLweV5RFZHT305H8Fvs0Ton2ULg65OUwGE/s1600-h/starmandala12-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMJwdduNnwBxM56cOoiC9srs_7REVR5NfgtaB4C4v1P-LggtVrjrEgpbZBLZAyxJUO8Y4OhLKWzrJDDvmAR__ktWZ1YlD2TMih-yRImhMs3xLweV5RFZHT305H8Fvs0Ton2ULg65OUwGE/s400/starmandala12-11.jpg" border="0" height="400" width="390" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">Though the results can look amazing, this fold is relatively simple. You will need your fabric, I'm using a square of silk, a washable marker, a ruler or straight edge, and string to bind your fabric. Oh, almost forgot, you'll need a squirt bottle set to a mist spray.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">The first step is to fold your fabric into quarters. Give it a spritz of water so that it is slightly damp and the layers stick together. I also take the opportunity to smooth out wrinkles.Place your finger at the center corner of your quartered piece of fabric. Keeping your finger on this corner, fold your fabric again to create a pie wedge. Your fabric is now folded in 8ths. Fold once more to create a narrower piece of pie. Your fabric is now folded in 16ths.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family:inherit;"><br /></div><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bA6w2eWsgq7iNlUP7kIg70BzX6uhnRIJxcb6zcMZdMbEpP6Nq1UEbfPA4yXVk_wyrH994XsnPRT8EZV9PWC4n-a126uyF0YYSFUZSjj4IYYEgfkbRD2XtvR7IMs7QoJmtwnCV5MIaitQ/s1600-h/ManTute4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bA6w2eWsgq7iNlUP7kIg70BzX6uhnRIJxcb6zcMZdMbEpP6Nq1UEbfPA4yXVk_wyrH994XsnPRT8EZV9PWC4n-a126uyF0YYSFUZSjj4IYYEgfkbRD2XtvR7IMs7QoJmtwnCV5MIaitQ/s400/ManTute4.jpg" border="0" height="343" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">16ths pie-wedge and marking fold lines</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div face="inherit" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:small;"> Using a ruler or a straight edge, draw a diagonal line from one edge of the pie wedge to the other. Draw a few more lines along the length of your folded fabric. These will give you a guide as to where to fold and tie. They also will help delineate your bands of color when you dye your star.<br />Accordion fold along the lines that you have drawn. I prefer to bind each line/fold separately. Again, these will act as a guide as to where to apply dye.</span></div><div face="inherit" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6iPuKUopreoK-DDk6PMo53Qd-B3q_tecYbVZiA_3fN1TZCbq3M7iymgHwfou-wVp2YM8Y7gIzb3EBFi8kH9Zd9cDiynk-cyf5dBXHPekmZNnfOs1vMBBRTHNQiIbDIiPFymBEAjb86Po/s1600-h/ManTute8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6iPuKUopreoK-DDk6PMo53Qd-B3q_tecYbVZiA_3fN1TZCbq3M7iymgHwfou-wVp2YM8Y7gIzb3EBFi8kH9Zd9cDiynk-cyf5dBXHPekmZNnfOs1vMBBRTHNQiIbDIiPFymBEAjb86Po/s400/ManTute8.jpg" border="0" height="357" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Binding the folds</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br />An accordion fold is the basic pleating of the fabric. This is done by carefully gathering the fabric by means of gently pushing and pulling the folds together. For thinner and smaller fabrics like the silk used in this tutorial, the height of the folds should not be more than a 1/2 inch high. Thicker fabrics can require taller folds. Otherwise it can become unwieldy to work with.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjblOkxwCNCjK3g4PItXw2CIUUwIoTz2Q7QaAZz_RoacZi1qQP0HeDvOwiaGT0aHRGkZP6MUln4LMuwWH9_IbNM3bYu2leYz3DNrPt2Gju8MVM-DkD8peTIuaWhWg0qybTKSpegu9cmkSK/s1600-h/ManTute6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjblOkxwCNCjK3g4PItXw2CIUUwIoTz2Q7QaAZz_RoacZi1qQP0HeDvOwiaGT0aHRGkZP6MUln4LMuwWH9_IbNM3bYu2leYz3DNrPt2Gju8MVM-DkD8peTIuaWhWg0qybTKSpegu9cmkSK/s400/ManTute6.jpg" border="0" height="350" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Accordion fold</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSLSfmucTAXS-nSWgS2S5fBJd3E9QwY3Xghmuq-s3wzyUH3t2DUwyYCZSBPhU3xRzld507JDJme-fiRNhYMZH16OJhBVzmZ1SeMSGwZf036FpKxM7dvv99p4XZqeiLJKhueLw8u6Z9AcX/s1600-h/ManTute9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSLSfmucTAXS-nSWgS2S5fBJd3E9QwY3Xghmuq-s3wzyUH3t2DUwyYCZSBPhU3xRzld507JDJme-fiRNhYMZH16OJhBVzmZ1SeMSGwZf036FpKxM7dvv99p4XZqeiLJKhueLw8u6Z9AcX/s400/ManTute9.jpg" border="0" height="372" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Folded and bound mandala star</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-78731713728901231442010-03-13T20:32:00.000-08:002010-03-13T21:44:57.097-08:00Pay Attention!O.K. that is mostly as a reminder to myself to not ignore this blog. However, it is notice to all who may stumble upon my colorful world here. Pay attention, there's good stuff comin'!<br /><br />So, what does this 'good stuff' entail? You most likely won't see descriptions of last nights dinner, well, unless it was totally awesome. What you will see is a window into the world of fiber arts and incredible creativity. I will be sharing my exploits in introducing fabric to color, as well as how to do some of this stuff yourself.<br /><br />Of course, I am not the end all and be all of fiber arts so I must search out all those other wonderful fiber artists out there. I can't wait to share as many of them as I can with you.<br /><br />So...stay tuned and PAY ATTENTION!Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-59147920376146776102010-01-03T15:13:00.000-08:002010-03-13T20:20:18.419-08:00Picture DayWhat a beautiful sunny and warm Southwestern Winter's day! It was a perfect day for taking updated pictures of the Fairy Skirts. It's not that the Rainbow skirts have changed but more for the fact that the model in the original photo has grown like a weed and I have a better camera now!<br />Here is the old product pic...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFwoPCiiJznRqkdHon42-K4c_8d1DxTJxxO0djKKxuvI-lfzOx74czlTFWN35XpThX_Y7It12cE6Ign3HBmJzqUgBQDprizVYo8H-nmxl4ePVkQbDGd4-ICd0q7AgAGEL5sWAQ7ky85fn/s1600-h/palerose.jpg"><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_JustifyCenter" title="Align Center" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 11);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Align Center" class="gl_align_center" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFwoPCiiJznRqkdHon42-K4c_8d1DxTJxxO0djKKxuvI-lfzOx74czlTFWN35XpThX_Y7It12cE6Ign3HBmJzqUgBQDprizVYo8H-nmxl4ePVkQbDGd4-ICd0q7AgAGEL5sWAQ7ky85fn/s1600-h/palerose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFwoPCiiJznRqkdHon42-K4c_8d1DxTJxxO0djKKxuvI-lfzOx74czlTFWN35XpThX_Y7It12cE6Ign3HBmJzqUgBQDprizVYo8H-nmxl4ePVkQbDGd4-ICd0q7AgAGEL5sWAQ7ky85fn/s320/palerose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422658209487001650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div>And here is the updated picture(well, one of them at least!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ea3TmI7VQqPpAoK2zQhQkQ2Kv5CYxUkyK7fCAqIRMr2BWh-3n0DlB00mo2GpdbfWmi0f6CoSOKhCErIVACxFm9flIomKDFVRWdLLGLtp_ziHI7W1_5F9MGwEfPuhjgQJ1iLrirfaZ9eQ/s1600-h/smrainbowskirtwithsilk1-03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ea3TmI7VQqPpAoK2zQhQkQ2Kv5CYxUkyK7fCAqIRMr2BWh-3n0DlB00mo2GpdbfWmi0f6CoSOKhCErIVACxFm9flIomKDFVRWdLLGLtp_ziHI7W1_5F9MGwEfPuhjgQJ1iLrirfaZ9eQ/s320/smrainbowskirtwithsilk1-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422659067239725282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If I remember correctly, she was about 3-years old in that first picture. I would guesstimate that she is twice as tall now as she was then, if not more. Though a few things have definitely not changed. Her curly hair and her big attitude! I love both!<br /><br />This picture is a typical face. I call it the "What can I get away with while I am being extra cute"face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMjI994z8x6D9yZBNE2fgROzCPvr_VqB-NYhxESuoL2avm2xUg8zzv1C2wrAHpQ-Oq5J5fJU37hYjvQ5Dv2noEREVb9SJ_EmEgxldbW-MvGfUJZBhccCv-eF1iXlwTmZUiBK3y9ZHcXTg/s1600-h/smstarsneak1-03.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMjI994z8x6D9yZBNE2fgROzCPvr_VqB-NYhxESuoL2avm2xUg8zzv1C2wrAHpQ-Oq5J5fJU37hYjvQ5Dv2noEREVb9SJ_EmEgxldbW-MvGfUJZBhccCv-eF1iXlwTmZUiBK3y9ZHcXTg/s320/smstarsneak1-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422660594077893026" border="0" /></a>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-81177310848822901832009-07-17T12:58:00.000-07:002009-07-17T13:26:22.553-07:00Holy Cow!No really, <a href="http://www.holycowproducts.com/">Holy Cow</a>! Its the best. I discovered it about a month ago at the grocery store while searching for a "degreaser" to clean-up printing screens, squeegees, and stencils. There are definitely products marketed specifically for cleaning screens but most were expensive and contained unknown chemicals I didn't want to deal with. Primarily because they smell yucky.<br /><br />I originally went to the store to get Simple Green. You know, the cleaner you used in college to clean your "recreational" tools. Even though it was another product that smelled yucky and contains unknown chemicals, I compromised because its relatively inexpensive and I was familiar with it. To my dismay the store didn't carry Simple Green. Hrrmphh!<br /><br />I figured there had to be something else to fit my needs and maybe something less offensive than Simple Green. As I stalked the isle a happy looking cow caught my eye. I picked up one of the bottles and read on. Natural and biodegradable ingredients. Says it will get the job done. Around 5 bucks for a 32oz bottle. Why not?<br /><br />When I got home I immediately grabbed a screen I was have trouble getting screen filler out of. I sprayed on the Holy Cow Concentrated Cleaner, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and started to scrub with my cleaning brush.<br /><br />Guess what? I actually exclaimed "Holy Cow!" The screen filler scrubbed off relatively easily. Since then I have been hooked. I even use it now to get out specks of unwanted printing ink I get on shirts from time to time .<br /><br />Check out their product line. So far, I am only experienced with their concentrated cleaner but when the current bottle runs out I might try out another in addition to my current pick.<br /><br />Do you have any unconventional clean-up tricks for your craft? Share them!Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-3441025515819603832009-07-13T10:03:00.000-07:002009-07-13T10:11:12.155-07:00Let Me Count the Ways!<div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="Section1"><p style="margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt;"><span style=";font-size:85%;" >There are many facets to the world of dyeing. It has been a craft around the world since time immemorial. </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >According to the</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.shibori.org/"> World Shibori Network</a>,</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" > eviden</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >ce of adding color to fabric has been found from pre-Colombian society in </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >Peru</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" > and ancient tombs in </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >China</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >. The greatest historical record of dyeing is the technique called Shibori, or bound-resist dyeing. We are familiar with this today in the form of tie-dyeing.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >Traditions </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >over the centuries have not been limited to </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >South America</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" > and the </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >Far East</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >. Surviving traditions </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >can be found in the </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >Middle East</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >, </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >India</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >, </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >Africa</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >, and </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >Indonesia</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >.</span></p><p style="margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt;"><span style=";font-size:85%;" > Adding color and patterns to fabric can also be achieved through a variety of other methods besides tie-dyeing. These include Batik, stamping,</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" > silk screening,</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" > and painting. Batik utilizes wax as a resist(method or substance preventing dye from penetrating fiber). The wax is applied using a </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >Tjantings, Tjaps, or brushes.</span></p><p style="margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt;"><span style=";font-size:85%;" > Stamping, well, utilizes stamps to apply dye or pigment to create designs and patterns on fabric. Stamps can be created from a variety of materials. Do you remember using vegetables and fruits to stamp paint on paper in preschool? One of my favorite things to do is to make stamps out of </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >craft foam</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >. It is a simple and easy way to create great images on your fabric</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >.</span></p><p style="margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt;"><span style=";font-size:85%;" > I think </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >silk screening</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" > </span><span style=";font-size:85%;" > is a method that everyone is most familiar with. Heck, the t-shirt you are wearing right now was printed using silk screening methods.</span></p><p style="margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt;"><span style=";font-size:85%;" > Some of the most beautiful painted images I have ever seen were painted on fabric. Fiber, especially silk, takes color marvelously. Combine this with the creativity and skill of an artist and </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><u><a href="http://www.joyceestes.com/">WOW</a></u></span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >!</span></p><p style="margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt;"><span style=";font-size:85%;" > </span></p><p style="margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt;"><span style=";font-size:85%;" >How will you add color!?</span></p></div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-42399362940800358762009-07-08T21:51:00.000-07:002009-07-08T21:59:13.521-07:00Something fun and quick<h2>Low-Water Immersion Dyeing using MX Procion dyes</h2> <h3> <img style="width: 101px; height: 150px;" src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dfms6s4m_2fc7f55hx" /></h3> <p class="MsoNormal"><br />Well, that pretty much describes it; you're using a low water to fabric ratio to dye.<br /><br />But seriously, it is a process that leads to a varied amount of outcomes. It can be used with single colors or multiple colors. You can use it to get a mottled/variegated effect or solid shading.<br /><br />As with most dye processes, everybody has their own way to do things. So the following is my process, which has been gleaned from a variety of resources including <a href="http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/lowwaterimmersion.shtml" target="_blank">PBurch.net</a> and<br /><a href="http://www.prochemical.com/directions/MX_LowWaterImmersion.htm" target="_blank">Prochemical.com</a>.<br /><br />You might be asking 'Well, how much fabric do you use per cup of dye solution?'<br />Quite honestly(and some dyers may cringe at this) my primary criteria is whether or not my final dye bath, which includes the soda ash solution, will leave my fabric mostly submerged. I like to have the level of liquid be level or just above the level of the fabric in the container. Some dyers are more precise about the amount of dye based on the weight of fabric. If you would like to be more precise than I am Prochemical's LWI instructions are a good place to start.<br /><br />When my dye(s) is mixed and my item is crammed to my liking in its container, I pour the dye solution over my fabric. I may or may not choose to manipulate (by hand, with a spoon or by shaking the container) my item to encourage the dye to migrate to certain areas. The more manipulation you do to your fabric during the process the more blended and less mottled/variegated your end dye results will be.<br /><br />If you are dyeing with more then one color, I suggest pouring on the lighter color first then the darker. Sometimes I mix it up; I'll pour on half the light color then half the darker then the light color again, topping it off with the darker. Just one of my many quirks!<br /><br />After my dye has been poured on and my fabric has been manipulated or not to my satisfaction, I let this sit for about 20 minutes or until I remember! I then pour a solution of 1 ½ tsp soda ash to 1 cup water over my concoction of fabric and dye. Just to note I use 1 cup of this soda ash solution per cup of dye solution.<br /><br />I let all this sit to react for at least 4 hours. Remember that temperature is important to the dye/fiber reaction. Keep it above room temp, around 75'F. On warm, sunny dyes I let my dye batch sit outside. If there is enough room for the container I will set it on top of the stove.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Patience!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-24853122683586553432009-07-08T08:36:00.000-07:002009-07-08T09:57:15.271-07:00The Story of the Stencil<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm2PSZDMKfQtwSsLrHWwDy6gKIbf2s6axSVGQzeqAe75WV7kYxVXd5W-ZFhTKD2of_w90PlyqFGST9GzJ4nYDRYAJQNq3A0v6NJ_FDb9MLGdDxq_MSD4yIV68viNvfSh8S7bGRl9rfANX/s1600-h/cuttingstencil.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm2PSZDMKfQtwSsLrHWwDy6gKIbf2s6axSVGQzeqAe75WV7kYxVXd5W-ZFhTKD2of_w90PlyqFGST9GzJ4nYDRYAJQNq3A0v6NJ_FDb9MLGdDxq_MSD4yIV68viNvfSh8S7bGRl9rfANX/s320/cuttingstencil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356128314152733538" border="0" /></a><br />There are a couple of ways to create your stencil for screen printing. The most common is to use photo emulsion to "burn" your image stencil directly onto the screen. The second is to use drawing fluid and screen filler to hand draw on your stencil. Another is to create a stencil using paper, acetate film, or wax paper to cut the image out of.<br /><br />The last method is what I use. I like it for many reasons. The primary reason being that I don't have a huge selection of screens to print with so using a cut acetate stencil allows me to reuse a screen. Though burning the image on a screen using photo emulsion allows for a greater degree of detail and durability, if you need the screen for something else you must destroy the burned image and start over.<br /><br />Acetate film, commonly known as transparency film, is easily available at office supply stores. You can also get larger sheets at art supply stores. Art supply stores also carry acetate film in colors i.e. green and red. I prefer clear, well, just because it's cheaper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHYo-hO832BeKG-OqCXVMGTL6b87w1aQSPzftWNgJ_MV5z8iOu5UWvUApRvVyUQ1Wfopezx9AQpCQjOxcFvir57sw0ObVPwKiF6VG4iy2p2qtH4jt86YrbzbC0Q33TWikZ7y0Wxs2saao/s1600-h/stencilsupplies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHYo-hO832BeKG-OqCXVMGTL6b87w1aQSPzftWNgJ_MV5z8iOu5UWvUApRvVyUQ1Wfopezx9AQpCQjOxcFvir57sw0ObVPwKiF6VG4iy2p2qtH4jt86YrbzbC0Q33TWikZ7y0Wxs2saao/s320/stencilsupplies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356118578564500418" border="0" /></a>So, let's get started on making a stencil from acetate film. Can't start without your supplies! What you need is an exacto knife, a self-healing cutting mat, acetate film, and an image. Images can either be printed directly onto the acetate film or drawn/printed onto paper which you put under the film as a guide for cutting. For this particular tutorial my image is larger than what my printer can print. What I did was create my image in photoshop and split it in two before I printed it out. I then taped the two seperate print-outs together to create the whole image.<br /><br />Now that you have your supplies and your image ready to go, it is time to cut. Because the image itself is on a piece of paper instead of printed directly on the acetate you will need to place the image under the acetate. Center the image as best as possible being sure to leave room at the top, bottom and sides where no cutting will occur. Having these areas solid makes the stencil a bit more stable and durable. Tape the paper to the acetate so it won't slip around while cutting.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCvQEE_2Da7r6Jba5_UFzPo325ppqkm5MzVELh6JhLxPfKNJL2KNmPCehPcj7wFhmrSbfAQesWC0PubmlBaffRslyfNlysMTNkauf71d3LFGDXhvwUodx2vvq29Ltd8XDInV76zznCTPi/s1600-h/stencilisland.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCvQEE_2Da7r6Jba5_UFzPo325ppqkm5MzVELh6JhLxPfKNJL2KNmPCehPcj7wFhmrSbfAQesWC0PubmlBaffRslyfNlysMTNkauf71d3LFGDXhvwUodx2vvq29Ltd8XDInV76zznCTPi/s320/stencilisland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356127610008986482" border="0" /></a>I like to start cutting around the more detailed "islands" in the image. Islands are the white areas in the image that don't get cut out and are connected to the outer template by "bridges". The particular image I am using doesn't have any real "islands" but rather long "bridges" that will help create detail and depth in the final print. I prefer to cut these areas first because it can involve more fine cutting and having most of the template intact allows for a more stable cutting surface.</div><br />As more of the stencil is cut out you will notice that the acetate may slip or bow in the area being cut. A remedy to this is to place a finger or two above and opposite of the direction you are cutting to give the piece stability. Be careful though not to cut yourself with the exacto knife.<br /><br /><br />Once the cutting is complete the cut out areas need to be removed. When pulling off the cut outs be careful not to bend or rip the areas of the template that will remain. Sometimes a cut was not complete at certain points. When this occurs, carefully take the tip of the exacto knife to this area and gently cut it.<br /><br />And voila, you have your stencil and you're ready to print!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8X_4hXEAQIrf1BRFGhILKn0ggU1gTNJClXxUt3sYmzLEeMguGm4ZOXM4DVZk7o5opMycQsiEJclkOvcJiKmeIRLErKQXO0bQhMywQj2RAo4y6ZznOmF998C_XxG-z2IWZG0mTllJ2jrts/s1600-h/climbonprint.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8X_4hXEAQIrf1BRFGhILKn0ggU1gTNJClXxUt3sYmzLEeMguGm4ZOXM4DVZk7o5opMycQsiEJclkOvcJiKmeIRLErKQXO0bQhMywQj2RAo4y6ZznOmF998C_XxG-z2IWZG0mTllJ2jrts/s320/climbonprint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356133768525902178" border="0" /></a>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-85084739366578893852009-06-25T09:23:00.000-07:002009-06-25T09:38:25.891-07:00Keepin' The Creative Juices FlowingSo its been busy the past week. I have spent much of my time creating(and re-creating) images to print. One thing I have discovered is that I CAN draw. Well, maybe not a proportionally beautiful figure but sketches of other things in nature.<br /><br />Much of my time has been spent preparing stencils for printing, mixing colors and doing test prints. I have been printing some shirts but have been wary of printing more because I have a little devil on my shoulder whispering "You're gonna screw it u-up." But what I have printed I like, so it has gotten easier to tell that devil to bugger-off.<br /><br />Hitting the thrift stores has been a blast as well. It's amazing how much is there that is in good, pretty much new condition. It's also wonderous to see some items that make me think "What were they thinking when they originally bought this?" I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder!<br /><br />A big thanks to my friend Gary down at Bison Witches. When he heard about the adventure I was starting he told me he had some stuff for me. What he brought me were a few things that I had wanted but didn't have the expense account to buy. Yay for screen hinges and squeegees!<br /><br />Well, here I go. Another creative day!Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-71898738155984729982009-06-16T19:08:00.000-07:002009-06-16T19:22:15.896-07:00Butterflies in My Tummy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiro3124DD9T68xB9I1YADOneg2kl2JPa6TpixDlYxlMOYWcTSvPWBSWiR-mlPlBCUS2A-fdjBz3SXuz0m5JdyuUXWSBsDECrGfZtHYfdoEDMvk-evwY8HSVDehv3JnSmIkcBpu7aGUvpUz/s1600-h/butterfly1sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiro3124DD9T68xB9I1YADOneg2kl2JPa6TpixDlYxlMOYWcTSvPWBSWiR-mlPlBCUS2A-fdjBz3SXuz0m5JdyuUXWSBsDECrGfZtHYfdoEDMvk-evwY8HSVDehv3JnSmIkcBpu7aGUvpUz/s200/butterfly1sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348113178457872530" border="0" /></a><br />So, I have been working on this one for the past couple of days. The actual printing of it took only 5minutes but the design took the rest of the time. See, despite having done stuff in Illustrator before I think I will always be a perpetual newbie at it. After moments of glee and ones of total frustration(yay, computer survived!) I got what I was looking for.<br /><br />I also did some color mixing. I was wanting a chartreuse and think I got kinda close but it still seems a little green to me. Ah well, I like it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">p</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ic by Maya</span>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808637555770301931.post-84196169728813773762009-06-14T16:25:00.000-07:002009-06-15T17:22:27.703-07:00Go Big or Go Home(on a budget[for dummies])So a few years back I started dyeing and sewing dress-up clothes and various other fiber-things. I didn't really "go for it" for a couple of reasons. First, though I can sew I really don't like to do it as an integral part of my creative process. Second, my "real" job sucked the creative life out of me.<br /><br />Well, I quit my creative soul-sucking job and decided to proceed with my previous venture, but with some tweaks. There will still be sewing, it can't be avoided. However, it won't be as big a part of Desert Dyeworks as it was before. What I am most excited about is my new obsession with printing on fabric.<br /><br />I have been experimenting and creating designs with screen printing. At this point I feel like the ADHD kid in art class. I have so many new ideas popping into my head, but despite this I am focused and motivated. Of course, there is nothing like quitting your day job to motivate you!<br /><br />So, my mantra has been "Go big or go home". Which means do this, make it work, or totally sell your soul to the man. However, leaving my job and having little ermmm...no savings leaves me to be financially creative getting things going and living at the same time. Fortunately, I do have resources and supplies left-over from the old Desert Dyeworks days. I have also found many helpful places on the inter-web that have sprouted ideas in my head on how to make things that look well done without having to buy expensive supplies.<br /><br />My favorite supply financial work around has been the concept of "upcycling". Huh? What's that? Well, it's basically recycling. I am taking those clothing items that others decided they didn't want or need anymore and giving them a new life. Don't worry. If you see me selling panties or boxers, they were not upcycled. Ewww!<br /><br />So, check back in to see what's going on with Desert Dyeworks. I'll be here 'cuz I am definately goin' big!Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113699888362106024noreply@blogger.com0