Look What Kelly Lorraine Caldwell Did!

Look at this fabulous piece Kelly Lorraine Caldwell created! It's titled "New Growth" and utilizes my ice dyed fabric, thread, embroidery floss, book pages and found objects.

I've gotten to know Kelly through the CT Chapter of SAQA. She has a lot of energy and a positive persona. Kelly's work is really unique and well crafted. Check out her website - I promise it will be a treat - click here! 

Fabric Giveaway!

I am remiss in getting this Printed Fabric Bee giveaway posted! Deborah Boschert is the featured artist and her theme was Blue Architecture! If you are familiar with Deborah's work you'll quickly see why she chose this theme! Hop over to Deborah's blog to leave a comment for a chance to win your own Blue Architecture custom fabric pack! Hurry - I'm late with the post and she will draw a winner on September 15th... do it now! You can also leave a comment on the Printed Fabric Bee blog - good luck! 

Here is my 6" X 6" fabric contribution to the giveaway. 

I started with a piece of blue ice dyed fabric. Next using a discharge paste I took a Thermofax screen to add a blueprint design. I'm so sorry but I don't know the name of the artist who created the screen. I wish they would all add their name to the screen borders so I could remember!  OK - next I used a stencil by Margret Applin to add the suggestion of old buildings. 

The theme was opposite of my usual design subject which is why this group is so fun! Please be sure to check out the other Printed Fabric Bee artists and leave a comment with Deborah to win the fabric?

Carol R. Eaton
Jackie Lams
Lynda Heines
Gerrie Congdon
Susan Purney Mark
Deborah Boschert
Jane Davila
Lisa Chin
Lynn Krawczyk
Leslie Jenison
Judy Gula 
Julie B. Booth

Look What Joyce Compton Did!

I love this piece, "Floral Fantasy" created by fiber artist Joyce Compton! I had the pleasure of meeting Joyce while attending the SAQA conference in Portland, OR last spring. The best thing about being a vendor at a show is meeting so many creative people. In looking over my stash of fabrics Joyce pulled out this Snow Dyed piece. Joyce said, "I knew immediately when I saw the fabric that I just wanted to quilt it to enhance the design created by the dyeing process". The piece was accepted into the upcoming Shenandoah Vineyards exhibit - a big congrats to Joyce! 

Joyce used crewel embroidery thread in bobbin to create the centers of the flowers. I've never been brave enough to try it but clearly Joyce has this technique down! For more information on Joyce's work hop over to her FaceBook page. 

Confetti Dyeing!

I've enjoyed a wonderful summer and it's hard to imagine the bulk of the warm weather in New England is behind us. It reminds me I'd better get going if I want to have an inventory of Confetti Dyed fabrics! Although I can create small batches of fabric indoors it's really an outside technique because it's so dang messy! 

In this session I sprinkled dye across the surface in 2 different ways. I either sprinkled the dye and let it sit undisturbed on the fabric or I scrunched the fabric and then sprinkled the dye across the surface. It was tons-o-fun! If you give it a try don't forget to wear a MASK - super important! Also, the fabric is soaked in soda ash and water prior to adding the dye. Please feel free to email me if you have questions about the technique: carolReaton@comcast.net. 

Here is a detail of a piece that looks very celestial! 

The full piece

Here are some more detail photos. If you'd like to see the full piece let me know but the details photograph more true to the colors!

SOLD

In this piece I dragged a comb across the dye!

In these next 2 pieces I scrunched the fabric before applying the dye. It gives the fabric a nice texture... the skies the limit for what to create from it! 

SOLD

Give it a try... my suggestion is to take the project outside! The dye tends to wander and make it's own decisions about where it will land! 

Weekend Walk = Leaf Printing

While taking an early morning walk with a friend we came upon an unknown weed with massive leaves! I couldn't believe it - they were as large as tropical plants! 

If you recognize the plant please let me know. 

I should have put my hand next to a leaf to give you perspective of it's size! Maybe you can tell by how dwarfed the clothespins look! 

Using thickened dyes I painted the underside of the leaf. The veins of the leaf are large and distinctive so I was hoping for some strong definition in the print. 

Next I placed the leaf on the fabric dye-side down. Using a Brayer I rolled the topside of the leaf to ensure the print would be clear. 

The print is fairly clear and the definition of the veins is good. 

I repeated the process until the fabric was filled up!  

You can see the texture more clearly here. It reminds me of reptile skin!  

Here are today's results. The last piece is an experiment in textures. I finished up the thickened dye by applying multiple layers of dye across the fabric surface. Once it's washed out I hope it still looks like the texture of grasses. 

Lake Colors - Hand Painted Fabric!

I love the way lake water looks with it's reflective colors and varies shades of blue. I'm enamored with the the colors as they change from the surface of the water to the reeds and rocks below. The lake I visit in New Hampshire is incredibly clear and allows me a sneak peek at the critters who make the lake their home.

To keep the spirit of the lake with me I hand painted some cotton using
Seta Color translucent paints. 

I started by painting the reeds.

I experimented with different techniques. One piece I painted directly onto the fabric and one piece I laid a piece of organza on the top and allowed the paint to seep through onto the cotton below. When I pulled the organza off the results surprised me. Although it wasn't what I expected it had a fun vibe to it. 

Once they dried I added a dragonfly stencil to remind me of
the wetland area I kayak in! 

This is the piece that had organza on the top. I wasn't thrilled with the organza and I tossed it into the "until next time" basket. Some day I'll rework it into something else! 

This is the piece I painted directly onto the cotton - surprise - this is the backside! I liked the way it had texture which isn't how the front came out! I can picture the fabric with some thread painting...