Lunch bags

Today I had a couple ladies out here. We have been trying to get together for lunch when we can. I have been affectionately calling them my lunch bags. They are beautiful, generous, funny ladies that make me happy to be around. One of my special ladies brought us each gifts of mustard beans. Mmmmmm and as an added bonus she sewed these lunch bagsas gift bags. Now there's a lady with a great sense of humor.

My secret trail

When you take a down a secret path, through the enchanted forest, you come across a cat washing station. No wait... That was planned to be a rock table painted with a checkerboard design. You know .. Just in case you get board on the way to the garden

Fly away home.

Just popped a scarf in the mail today.

Light as a feather

The scarf I painted using the Itajime technique needed a little something else. So I added another dimension another experiment. I love the feel of silk. I love the movement of silk. I love the way a thin floaty layer can warm me so wonderfully. I love the way the colour swims into the silk. Oh gosh, I am in trouble.

Mother of invention.

Here is a silk scarf clamped and dyed Itajime style. Usually a piece of silk is folded and clamped between two pieces of wood. Then immersed in dye. I didn't have any wood handy. I used two ceramic tiles and a few lightweight clamps that I use for hanging heavier items on the clothesline. Also I used heat set paint instead of dye. I can barely wait for the sun to do its job so I can see the result.

My colourful weekend

This last weekend was spent at a art retreat in the mountains. I stayed overnight at a simple B&B in a quiet, remote community. The hostess a warm and friendly artist, and her home was filled with her vibrant silk art. After starting out the morning with an amazing breakfast we had a little time to ourselves and then we started to create. Two days of playing with silk and colour! We came away with three lovely pieces that were a combination of shibori and direct painting techniques. I was fascinated by the way the silk feels. I just couldn't help rubbing it against my skin. I think I may have fallen in love ... Again!

Feeling a little Makey

Yes indeed summer has me feeling like adorning myself with pretty baubles. I was needing the colors of the water and so I set about making these bracelets. The only problem is all the ties and hooks. So I have decided to work on a multi strand bracelets with some of my favorite elements rolled into one bracelet, with one easy closure. I will post a photo when it's done.