First Eco-Dye for the 2015

This is a great way to start the New Year. I spent hours studying the blog posts of Terrie-Smiling and think it’s going to pay off. She is so open and sharing with her techniques. I tried the rolled up milk carton core wrapped with the silk covered in plastic wrap, and steamed it. The finished piece is not  pretty but it’s getting close to what I want. Better than that, IT WORKED. Yay! The red leaves at the left are poinsettia, then oak leaves, and I think the middle leaves are Bradford Pear, then more oak leaves . Eager to try more.

Scarf is about 12″ x 72″

                                    Detail

Eco-dyeing via India Flint

After reading Eco Dyeing by India Flint and since I live out in the country of the Ozarks, I’ve become interested in what colors/dyes are available from local plants. Here is my trusty old stainless steel dye pot from my weaving days of dyeing yarns. I’ve place jars of fabric with various plants into a water bath in the pot and boiled it for many minutes. These are the results from yesterday on silk.

  

Dark, almost black pansies

Red Sumac leaves

Dark purple petunias and orange marigolds.

Heron At Sunrise

The latest Uncommon Threads Challenge was “Peaceful Waters” which happens to be the title of a song written by Roberta Ranney’s husband, Bob.

I used this pictures of a Heron that I took at sunrise last year down at our neighborhood boat ramp.

I could have tried dyeing fabric for the background, but that seemed tedious so I found some hand dyed that I bought a number of years ago and have been saving  for a special occasion. This is the occasion. I printed the heron onto fabric and then machine embroidered all over it and fused “him” and the dock to the background.

You can see all the Peaceful Water challenges on the Uncommon Threads blog. Click here.

Carrots

I have the worse case of Spring Fever. We had one day of 70 degree weather this week so I rushed out and planted mustard greens, lettuce, arugala and chard. Of course, now it’s been drizzle raining for three straight days and the temperature is in the low 50’s. Oh well, I can dream of carrots and other things. And in the mean time, I’ll paint carrots.

This was painted on a hand dyed fabric after it was fused with Wonder Under. That made the surface nice and flat on which to paint with acrylics.  They seem perfect to add to the piece I’m working on.  I’ll wait a day or two before fusing them down permanently. Just in case I change my mind. The painting was fun. This could lead to a whole new direction.

SFA Dye Workshop

This past weekend I led a dye workshop for Springfield Fiber Artists. It was pretty loose and everyone did what they wanted. I was just a helper if they had a problem. I think everyone had a good time and learned at least one new technique. Here are just a few samples. I almost forgot to take any pictures!Linda Compton

Mary Lou Holmes

Marty Corcoran

Barb Arnold