Back From My Un-Happy Place!

Over Thanksgiving I caught a virus that had me coughing and coughing and coughing and coughing... you know the kind - once you start you can't stop! I spent the first week pretending it wasn't a problem and the second week wondering where the bus was that hit me. I'm delighted to be crawling back out from under this "yuck" and restoring my energy. I know I'm whining and recognize that many people face some "yuck" in their lives on a daily basis but I am rarely sick and was surprised that it took me down.

I look for the silver lining in every situation and in this case the forced slow down helped me reconnect with things I typically plow over during my busy day. For that I am grateful... but now I can ease back into the studio and play with my toys! First up is to remember where I was going with these new stencils I had been experimenting with!

Thanks for listening to my whining!

 

Handpainted cotton with a Snowflake stencil designed by June Phaff Daley

Ice dyed antique crocheted table runner using the Sister stencil designed by Judy Wise

 

New Combination of Techniques!

I was going for a slightly different look and wondered what would happen if I stamped dye powder onto the fabric surface along with combining other techniques... shaking the dye powder and then covering it all up with ice... crazy huh?!

I'd love for you to give it a try and let me know how you make out!

Here are the tools you'll need to try it for yourself!
Don't forget your MASK - never use dye powder without it!

The fabric was soaked in soda ash and water for 30 minutes before wringing it out and laying on a flat surface. Press the sponge onto the fabric to dampen just enough to allow the dye powder to stick to the sponge... start stamping away!

Next use a mesh kitchen sink strainer to shake the powder
across the surface of the fabric.

Let the fabric set; once it's dry rinse out the excess dye in the sink and wash with a commercial detergent designed to pull out excess dye such as Synthropol.

There was a little more white fabric showing than I wanted so I tossed the fabric back into the soda ash and water solution for 30 minutes. Next I placed the fabric in a bucket covering the surface with ice and then sprinkled with dye powder. Once the ice melted I washed again to remove the excess dye. Here is a detailed shot of the completed piece.

It was fun to try something new!
Please share your experience and let me know if you have questions!

Creative Arts Coaching Session with Morna McEver Golletz!

I had the most fabulous coaching session with Morna McEver Golletz yesterday! We meet at the Marriott for a 90 minute meeting. Prior to our meeting Morna had me complete a questionnaire so she would understand what I wanted to achieve in my creative arts business. The questionnaire was thought provoking and forced me to articulate my hopes, dreams and desires for Carol R. Eaton Designs!

Morna had targeted suggestions that would help my business grow and I walked away with a 12-month plan in place. I feel I now have a road map to success and plan to be in a very different position next year at this time.

Morna offers a variety of services to people in the creative arts industry and I encourage you to explore her website and find a program that will help you achieve your goals!

Look out world!

Join the Fiber 5K to Fight Cancer

Mark your calendar for January 15, 2014 and join me as I run the Fiber 5K to Fight Cancer. OK, I won't actually be jogging around a race course. But I will be joining the fun as Fiberart For A Cause's virtual race kicks off with a goal of donating $5000 directly to the American Cancer Society.

Generous Prize Sponsors (The Printed Fabric Bee!) for drawings means there will be many winners at the 1K ($1000) mark, 2K ($2000) mark, etc., plus a Grand Prize drawing when we cross the Finish Line.

According to Race Director, Virginia Spiegel, "Fiberart For A Cause likes to have fun while raising money to fight cancer, so, of course, there are going to be more "race" details revealed as January 15 draws closer. 100% of donations are given directly to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause. Fiberart For A Cause has already donated more than $230,000 to the American Cancer Society thanks to the generosity of fiber artists and patrons."
 

 

More information: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/Fiber5K2014.html

 

 

Inspiration in Nature!

I am constantly inspired by the natural world and when I'm lucky enough to be outside I try not to miss a thing! I've got 2 projects I'm currently working on but they are flowing nicely so my mind is free to drift to the next one... here are some photos that are helping me think about color combinations and textures!

What inspires YOU?!

Monroe, CT

Monroe, CT

Blue Dot Trail, CT

Surprise!

Silver Lake, NH

Photo taken by Donna Rand - Mystic, CT

 "Pot Holes," VT

"Pot Holes" - VT

Cabot, VT

Cabot, VT