GIRLFREIND ART CAMP RESULTS

Now back at home with all my fabrics washed, pressed, and ready to fondle.

 Interestingly, I ice-dyed some Liberty of London solid light pink fabric that I wasn't planning on using for anything else.  The three pieces on the right are the results.....amazing how well that fabric took the dye!

 Here's some unsuccessful pieces...top is the 'right' side of an older tan print...I often over-dye these dated fabrics with mixed results.....the 'back' side of the fabric is where the best designs are created. But even these two bottom pieces are pretty boring. 

 Here's an ice-dyed piece of 100% wool......I sure wish the appx. 15" x 15" piece would have been bigger!

Good results on this second batch of eco-printed wool felt.  The vinegar water had now had time to develop a rust tone after we threw in a bunch of rusted items.

You can see where this same fabric in the first batch has less brown/rust tones....both are pleasing to me.

I can hardly wait till next year....hoping I continue to be invited!!

AZ GIRLFRIEND ART CAMP - PART 2

Ice-dyeing is normally best done on warm sunny days.......it was so cold and rainy here west of Phoenix that none of the golfer were even out slamming the ball around!  We wee worried about our results.

But of course that didn't stop us.  Out come the plastic trays, wire racks, soda ash soaked fabrics, ice cubes, and MX dyes......

Once all the 'ingredients' were layered.....the tray was covered with plastic, secured with clips and left for 24 hrs.

Then the fun begins....the melted dye-water is discarded, the fabrics are rinsed, and rinsed and rinsed.  When the water runs clear they are washed, damp dried, and pressed.  We got awesome results...maybe the cold weather requiring a long and slow melt is better?!?    

That's the end of my report......Now I'm headed back to the chatter, calorie filled snacks, fabric frolic, laughter, and of course bubbly.  Sound like fun?  Grab a buddy or two and plan your own girlfriend art camp!

8TH ANNUAL GIRLFRIEND ART CAMP

The cold and rain clouds that hung over me at Daytona Beach have followed me to Arizona!  However, that didn't deter us from enjoying our 8th annual Girlfriend Art Camp at a friend's home.  She's a snow bird, her husband is back home in MN working, so it was just us gals. 

 We started with a bit of eco-printing....using several varieties of eucalyptus
and geraniums.

 We brewed up some iron water using these rusty items to add color to our water/vinegar steam bath done in a turkey roaster.

 Various sides of dowels were used to roll our foliage laden fabrics before processing them for about 2 hours.

We use shrink wrap over the fabric which tightens as it heats, helping to keep the foliage in good contact with he fabric.

 As usual, I often work with wool, here's one of my better prints.....before the rust developed too deeply.

And a few more....

 And a view of more pieces that thrilled us.

This one wasn't wrapped tight enough, but I personally love the mysterious design.

Come back tomorrow.....we have more to show.....