Love the voice, the attitude, the soul of Mavis Staples.
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Resources for dyeing
I’ve gone a bit mad over the whole fabric dyeing thing lately. If there’s a website, a book, a flickr group associated with dyeing I’ve been there!!
So I thought I’d share a few resources just in case you’re as keen (obsessed) as I am.
I’ve just devoured this most excellent book by Malka Dubrawsky of A Stitch in Dye. This woman makes me want to throw all my craft stuff away, build a garage and lock myself in it make beautifully patterned fabric all day!
A truly fantastic resource is Fabric Dyeing 101 where Melissa shares and absolute treasure trove of information on all aspects of fabric dyeing. She has the philosophy that information should be shared – now that’s my kind of woman!
Then there is Darlene of Shibori Borealis, I just stare in wonder at her work.
I couldn’t finish this post without mentioning the lovely Sara of Willow and Moo who is the very person who peaked my interest in dyeing and helped me through the first stages. Her blog is a real inspiration of colour and gorgeously made things. Check out her metres of rainbow fabric on there at the moment.
Did I mention Flickr? Just head on over and type in “hand dyed” or similar or look into groups. I’m a member of Hand Dyed and I Dyed for Etsy.
Stay tuned for more adventures in fabric dyeing.
Happy Birthday to you
We had a Happy 5th birthday here yesterday with lots of presents, games and party food. (and bubble blowing!)
It’s meant to be a treasure chest. Cake decorating is not my forte!
I’m one of those people who has resisted signing up for Facebook – until now that is! I really have no idea how to use it but have managed to upload some pics etc and would love you to visit via the link on my sidebar. I noticed you can also link to Twitter from there. Hmmm….
1000 miles an hour
That’s my brain at the moment. No sooner do I sit down to do something than I have to leap up again and then there is the constant noise – none of it’s very conducive to calm and rational thought. Add a teething little one (yes, again!!) into the mix along with sleep deprivation and life is, well, a little messy right now.
It’s been a full on week with the show preparation, music lessons, stitching group and …. what else? I can’t remember now.
Sound familiar to any of you Mums out there? š
Creativity with the children has taken second place but I’ve managed to fit in a few moments here and there.
Jamming with the girls. Did you know that finger sucking can be quite instrumental? Speaking of unusual instruments, check out these guys who make all their instruments from fresh vegetables.
More colour swatches. I’m pretty much trying anything and everything now to see what effect I can get. This one was painted, scrunched then dried.
The results are pretty random, some turn out a little like preschool paintings!
I think salt resist is one of my favourite techniques thus far.
Christie over at Childhood 101 has recently suffered the tragic loss of an unborn baby and is asking for others to speak about their own experiences in order to help women going through miscarriage. I don’t feel inclined to go back over my experiences but perhaps you would like to visit her blog and make a submission. It’s a very good thing to have the support of others at these times and I think many of us don’t receive the sort of support we need.
My Melbourne Show entry
Hooray, finished in the nick of time!
A doll and her doll!
I used 3 different yarns for the big doll’s hair – sheep’s wool, mohair and alpaca in three colours.
If you’re braving the show this year please do pop in to the art and craft pavillion to see one of my dolls “in the cloth”. She (they!) will be in the Novelty Toy section.
Little embroidered wool felt shoes (recognise the bird print Nic?)
This will be my first entry into any art and craft competition so it’s quite exciting. Thanks to Nic from Yardage Design for the heads up and encouragement. Wish me luck!
Committing to creativity
I’ve been increasingly frustrated by the lack of time I get to work on my own art and craft projects. Sometimes it seems every waking minute is spent caring for others and working at jobs that aren’t particularly thrilling or inspiring but nonetheless essential.
This has led me to ponder my role and responsibilities as primary educator of my children and the fact that I have many talents I can share with them and partly fulfill my need to create at the same time. So, as of this week I’ve made a commitment to be more creative with my children even though it means more mess and more planning. Because it also means more fun for us all and education that is not monotonous.
Here are a few things we did this week. Colouring in pictures together.
Making a terrific mess with shaving cream and paint.
Constructing and painting insect models that also became pretend lollipops. Check out the fierce concentration!
We’ve also done wool threading, picture painting, baking and playdough. Now I need to start planning for next week, I think we’ll need to go scouting for some new materials!
Lil’ Mim sisters
I finished the other doll I was working on, her new owner loves the colour blue and has hazel eyes with brown hair. I decided to give her super long hair, I just love a doll with long hair.
This is the first time I’ve made a pair of dolls for sisters, I think it’s really beautiful that they’ll both have their own special doll for Christmas. These 2 are about 13 inches tall and made with the my usual favourites – cotton tricot, carded wool, mohair yarn and lovely prints for their dresses.
Last night I started work on my doll for the Melbourne Show, I’ve left it a little late, but it’s cool, she’ll get there!
Strawberries and cream
That’s what she makes me think of. She is a custom order I’ve just finished for a little girl. I’m working on a doll for her sister now. I knitted her a little bolero shrug out of cashmere that turned out very nicely even though I don’t really know what I’m doing when I pick up the knitting needles.
A back view of the bolero shrug.
I like to always put a little surprise like this into my customer’s parcels. I want them to be really delighted when they open it up and get something extra that they don’t expect.
I hope her new owner likes her!
Rain, rain, don’t go away
Last week must have been my lucky week, not only did I get the parcel from Nic, but I also won Becky’s giveaway. 3 patterns, a knitted dishcloth and some soap. Thank you so much Becky!
I’m loving the vinyl tablecloth I picked up at Spotlight today. If you’re crafting with kids a vinyl table cloth is essential!
I’m so grateful for a wet winter, the garden is flourishing. Daffodils are one of my faves.
Lots of broad beans, we planted hundreds of seeds we saved from the last harvest.
And the most thrilling of all – the first blossom on the apricot tree (can you see it?)
In the midst of all this rain the grump in me is finding a few things to gripe about. It’s my first winter with 4 little ones who want to get out to parks and for walks and can’t in this weather. It’s also nearly impossible to get much washing dry (I won’t give in and buy a dryer – never, never!)
I can’t complain too much though, the tank is constantly overflowing, it’s wonderful.