Figures

You know, it isn't easy to find anatomically correct line drawings for dragonflies. But I was able to find some good photos of some. Photos taken to help catalog and identify various ones. So that is what I used to create the shape for this one.

It's a lot easier to find pictures of koi in all sorts of poses.

Hair

Look, it's a self portrait of me in the morning.

Color

Another example of how different fabrics turn out different colors.

Both were in the same dye bath. The shirt is a cotton knit, while the square is a silk weave. Silk can be dyed with fiber reactive dye, the type of dye you use for plant fibers. But the dye reacts differently with silk. It's still a pretty color, you just have to know it'll be different.

Also, both were stitched up as the Mokume Shibori technique. But the silk just didn't compress like the cotton. I think partly because the shirt is a knit and is able to be compressed more. And partly because the cotton threads ore a bit thicker. If I want to do a silk scarf with a stitched resist, I'll have to sew it the long way, rather than the short way. Otherwise the pattern just doesn't show up as much as I'd like.

Train

I doubt my Dad will read my blog before tomorrow afternoon. This is a picture of his birthday present. He's a big train buff and I know he'll like it. And not just because his daughter made it for him.

Crystals

The salt that I put on the silk to move the dye picks up some color. It looks like crystals or sugar sprinkles. It looks so pretty.

Practice

Too bad silk hankies aren't popular. But they do make nice practice items. They're much smaller and easier to work with than a full size scarf. And cheaper, of course.

I'm trying a different kind of dye for silk and needed to try it out to see how to work with it and how the colors look. I have a couple more in the basement that I'll steam tonight. But these are all done but the ironing.

Butterflies

Well, this time of year in Minneapolis we don't have any more butterflies and flowers. But this is a way to keep some around all year.

Mmmm, cake

I have to share this item. Lemon poppy soap. I make lemon poppy muffins now and again and this does smell just like it. Not just a lemon scent, but vanilla and cake scent also. Makes me want to make some.

Safari

Why should kids have all of the fun? At the show at Gustavus Adolphus two ladies were looking at children's tshirts with a similar design and mentioned that they would like a shirt like that also. So I've made some safari theme batik tshirts for adults.

It would be great for when you are just hanging around. I know, a bad joke. But I'm known for it. Good thing I dye clothing rather than do stand up.

Strawberry

I think the color looks like a strawberry smoothie.

The variation in the color comes by not stirring it as often. You have to just let it sit a while. It seems like I should stir more, since the instructions always tell you to do that. But sometimes, it looks better when you don't.

Salt

I really like how this scarf turned out. It took me a couple tries to get what I wanted. It's a silk & wool blend and feels nice and airy also.

Salt draws water to it. If you have the scarf really wet with dye and put some large crystals of salt on top of it, the dye will get pulled towards the dye along with the water. That is why there are darker spots.

Well, and I really like the colors, but I'd be pleased with how it turned out even if it wasn't sapphire and amethyst.

Show

I'll be participating in a show at St Philip's Lutheran Church this Saturday, the 6th, from 10am to 3pm. Join us.
It is at the corner of Central Ave NE and 61st Ave NE and has a large parking lot. The address is 6180 Highway 65 N.E. Fridley.