Second Day of Dye Print Book Workshop

I had a wonderful time at the two day workshop and met some fantastic people!  The first day we dye printed fabrics and paper at my studio and the second day we used those to construct books at a beach house in Aptos.  Again I did not get pictures of everyones but here are some samples of what was done.

Remnants of the Day

Six lovely ladies were at my studio today to gather leaves, flowers, and even a rusty spiral wench like tool to use in dye printing paper and fabrics.

You'll hear me say time and again I get so caught up in workshops I forget to stop and take pictures so after everyone is gone and the sun is heading west lower and lower in the sky I look around and see remnants.  A sign that something unusual and wonderful happened.

Sometimes It Starts Like This ...

And sometimes like this ........

Art Unraveled Workshop Runway Class

I have slowly been working on some more reconstructed garments that you can make in my class at Art Unraveled.  Slowly because I do have a pinched nerve in my neck which causes varying degrees of pain day to day.  I'm seeing a specialists tomorrow at the SOAR clinic.

But enough of that ......... I want everyone to see more possibilities for reconstructing shirts into new fun wearable garments and hope to see more sign ups for the class!

This shirt requires one shirt that fits (the red plaid) and three other shirts that make parts of the skirt.  I used large mens shirts for the skirt parts. I also used a flounce (or ruffle) from a vintage petticoat half slip.  If this is a garment you would like to make that would be the clothing items you need to bring.  This sample is not fully sewn and only pinned on so things aren't quite straight but you get the idea?  I'll probably add more embellishments but this shows you how it can look.

Another simple shirt I've reconstructed is this one.  Think of it as a blank canvas ready to paint with all sorts of embellishments, be it buttons, lace, ribbon, doilies, endless possibilities!

I'd love to hear what you think about these designs and I really hope you'll sign up for the class if you are interested in creating unique garments from unloved and abandoned shirts.

Two Whole Weeks

Two weeks ago Tuesday I was to pick my friend Sharon Kilfoyle up form the airport in the afternoon.  That morning I decided to take a shovel and turn the dirt in one of my garden beds, hoeing and raking, adding soil amendments and planting tomatoes.  Mission accomplished,  I showered and took of to the airport. 

The next morning my entire left shoulder was sore so I put some ice on it and then applied arnica gel.

Sharon was here to visit me, work together on some projects in the studio and then give a two day workshop.  My sore shoulder hindered me from doing the work I wanted but we did a few things which included a trip to Thai Silks.  I kept nursing my shoulder but it was not wanting to cooperate. 

On Sunday my husband flew us to Santa Rosa so Sharon could meet her son Santo and spend a few days with him.  

After I got home I took myself to get a massage but on Monday morning it was worse so I went to the clinic.  Doc said he thinks it's a pinched nerve in my neck.

I took it easy the next few days but when Sharon came back from Santa Rosa we had to get things ready for her workshops.  On Sat. she gave a nuno felt workshop in Aptos which I went to but only did a few sample pieces so not to aggravate my injury further.  Sunday the gals all came to my studio to do shibori and indigo dyeing.  Again I only worked on a few smaller pieces but was pleased with what I created.

The day Sharon left my shoulder was throbbing so I am scheduled to begin physical therapy on Friday. I really think I did all I could to heal this and it's just not working so it's very frustrating and why? why did this happen?  Arg!  There I've done my whining.

Here are pics from the dye day at my studio with Sharon.

It was such a nice visit with Sharon and our minds were racing with ideas for the future.  We are cooking up plans to host a weekend long retreat next year but we've just begun to formulate these plans for me to say more.  It will be great though!