Back from sunny Spain, I decided to waste no time and set-to tying up pebbles with rubber bands in cotton sheeting,
and sewing circles and pulling up the thread to wrinkle the fabric.
Ready to dunk everything in an indigo dyebath.
Look what came out -
clamped with clothes pegs
concertina folds clamped with bulldog clips and pegs
string wrapped
marbles secured with rubber bands
here are the stitched circles
the drainpipe wrapping
more pegs
marbles and drawn-up stitching (looking mightily like dental x-rays!)
Although I loved the workshop and simply can't wait to try it again at home, the day didn't end well. We had been told to wear old clothes and shoes and to take quite a lot of 'props' for the various techniques we would be trying out. So when a misunderstanding seemed to have arisen about my being collected and driven home at the end of the day, I set off walking, expecting to meet the car at any moment. I ended up tramping all the way home. 'Tramping' could not be a more appropriate term, bearing in mind my tattered and faded combat trousers, gardening shoes and old grandad shirt covered in big splotches of red paint. I looked as if I'd had a severe nosebleed, or been stabbed. And of course I was carrying a collection of plastic bags, drainpipes and a bucket full of pebbles. Three miles is a long way to try and keep your head held high and remain dignified when the passengers of every passing vehicle obviously recognise you as a dangerous and probably pongy old bag-lady. No, don't ask me why I didn't have a mobile phone with me.....that's not helpful.
That was Monday. On Tuesday things definitely began to look up when friend Charlotte and her daughter came to learn how to make felt. What a wonderful time we had - they were keen and quickly picked up the technique and had lots of ideas about colour combinations and things to add to and trap in the felt. We started off making bobbles and 'sausages', to get the feel for the process and soon the kitchen was full of glorious drying felt. It was a very rewarding and inspiring day for me and I loved seeing how the girls wanted to use what they'd learned.
Chrissie
Chrissie
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16 comments:
Oh dear, did anyone get into trouble about that? The dying looks great.
Hah! I meant Dyeing! Blushing now...
Wow, what incredible marks. Poor you, tramping home. Not sure I'd have made it.
Not a good end, but those pieces are great - I especially love the drainpipe ones.
I loved looking at the different sorts of dyeing - when I was in my late teens I tie-dyed T-shirts and shirts - I remember doing the marble and string bit! But I am sorry your day ended so sadly - at least you have some good things to show for it (three miles is an awfully long way to carry a bucket of stones and a drainpipe, I don't know how you managed it!).
Pomona x
Oh dear - poor you - but it gave me a good laugh! Great results with the dye though x
Ha ha ha, I would have loved to have seen you - go on, you can laugh about it now, you know you want to :o)
Felt making with friends sounds lots of fun. Those are really cool patterns achieved in your dyeing, brilliant.
This was so funny, the way you wrote it..... I absolutely LOVE the drainpipe wrapping pieces, they look like water......
LOL, that sounds like me on some days! Love the dying, I prefer the pegged designs and the regular, more formal patterns, but it's an amazing variety of effects to get.
Wow! The drainpipe wrapping has to be my favourite - it's so evocative of the ocean deeps and such an unexpected result. I could dive straight in (if I could swim!). Glad you had a better day on Tuesday though after your traumatic journey home. I probably shouldn't have - but you did make me laugh.
Anne
Fabulous results especially the drainpipe wrap. Your account of your 'tramp' home did make me smile. Guess you were safe from being 'picked up' by undesirables, looking like one yourself :)
Thank you everyone for your sympathetic comments - I'm seeing the funny side of things now!
Lovely work. You must have been on a high from what you'd achieved and on a low because of your appearance. I hate it when I suddenly realise I look a complete mess when I'm out, keeps happening though.
Wonderful dyeing - I love every piece. Sorry about the tramp. I am sure that it was good for you to walk - but a LONG way carrying things and not being prepared for it. Good Grief.
Glad you made it home in one piece! Maybe you will feel like sharing a picture or two of the felting? Would love to see what you all made.
Oh you are so funny. The samples are amazing! xx
Chrissie, how lovely to hear from you. I have been so absent from visiting since I started homeschooling. Funnily enough I have just bought two felting books as I would like the kids (and myself ;-) to learn.
That indigo dye is just stunning. Is there a recipe for the dye itself?
I apologise for giggling gently at the sight of the 'homeless' lady wandering along the side of the road. I have been in that sort of situation before myself, although it's often been because I preferred to walk ;-) Poor possum :)
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