Hand Painted Faux Written Script Scarves

I just listed the silk scarves I've been working on the last few days in my Etsy shop.

I showed some images of these scarves in my previous post and will add the ones I finished today at the end of this post.

I start with a 100% habotai china silk scarf and color wash the background then add faux written script with fabric paint. When scripting I am actually writing song lyrics or poems so sometimes a legible word will pop out and be readable but mostly the writing is suggestive only. This made me ponder - if you write down words of a poem or a passage or lyrics do the word images imbue the essence of what is written even if it's unreadable or does the essence and significance only apply when the words are read? Does the design of the fabric absorb the feeling of the words? Perhaps this is a bit esoteric to contemplate but it made me wonder. Whatever, I feel the end result is whimsical and unique and they make me happy to create.

Hand Painted Silk Scarves with Faux Writing

I've been in my studio and it's past dinner time. I won't be fixing the chicken but something a little easier and faster. When I walked out of my studio this was the site I had to stop and absorb. I've lived on this mountain for almost 16 years and the beauty of it still takes my breath away. The twilight reigns over the valleys and hilltops as the lights of Santa Cruz begin to twinkle below. I once asked my father-in-law, who lived on this land for many years, if he ever took this view for granted and he said "on no because everyday is different". He was right.



I finished some of the faux writing scarves and plan to put them for sale in my Etsy shop but I think it will be in the morning before I do this. I'm ready to call it day and relax with a glass of wine and fix a nice cob salad. But I'll leave you with the photos I took. I'm really happy with these scarves.

mañana

Alameda Flea Market Things I Did Buy

I've been busy in my studio creating some painted silk scarves with the faux writing on them. I plan to finish a couple of them this morning and post them in my Etsy shop. I'll be back here to announce them and have some images too.

In the meantime here are some photos of the things I did buy at the flea market. I'm real excited about using these items in reconstructing garments.

I did buy the delicious sausage on a bun complete with mustard and sauerkraut.


I did buy the mini donuts in a paper cone. Actually Char treated me to the food since I did the driving but I did consume.





And here are the textile items I bought from various vendors. These are going to become something fabulous if I can recreate the ideas I have in my head!









I plan to go back next month and visit this flea market again.

Alameda Flea Market Excursion

My friend Cindy had told me about the Alameda Flea Market that happens the first Sunday of each month but I hadn't gotten a chance to visit it until yesterday. I met Char and we took off to meet up with Cindy and Stephanie. I actually tried to back out as I had paperwork to prepare for the accountant (this means taxes, ugh!) but I am delighted I didn't give in to that drudgery and went to the flea market instead. It ended up being a beautiful day and I was successful in my finds.

But first let me share this with you: A while back my sister had sent me a link to someone's blog (I can't remember who it was or I would give them credit for this idea) who described herself as a flea market junkie and proceeded to post "the things I didn't buy". I thought this was hilarious so yesterday I decided to take some pics of the things I didn't buy. And here they are!

I did not buy the hat with the funny balls and plastic leaves on it nor the fake fruit ornamented with frosted sparkling sand.



I did not buy the iron boy fishing statue to adorn my yard.



I did not buy the sing-along dance machine even though I thought it was pretty cool!



I did not buy the fake furry jacket for fear that someone might think I was Yeti.



I did not buy the wood and metal flying duck plaque ensemble.



I did not buy any of these bird related items.






I did not buy this pink fuzzy poodle pad thingy.



I did not buy these giants concrete yard (?) ornaments.



I did not buy this gold flying woman statuette.



I did not buy this fake velvet lounge act jacket.



I did not buy these pajama pants made from old chenille bedspreads, but really now I wish I had as I bet they would be really comfy (much to my husband's dismay I'm sure).



I did not buy this chenille bedspread robe to go with the pajama pants.



And I did not buy this bunny on a stick decoration even though Easter is coming.



My next post I'll write about the things I did buy.

Dyed Silk Ribbons, Faux Writing & Etsy

I learned how to do "faux writing" on fabric in Lesley Riley's class in the 3 day retreat I attended recently. I was able to do this technique on a silk scarf that I was enamored with. I decided to try writing on some silk ribbons until I find time to do some more scarves. I was pleased with the effort so I'll share some photos with you.

I have a cork top table where I tacked the ribbon down to write on but found it was still better to adhere it to freezer paper first. I am actually writing words but I go so fast that it becomes illegible. It reminds me of old time writing with pen and ink, complete with splatters and bloops. I dialogue in my head as I go along so that when some words are actually legible they are real words. I think of sayings or song lyrics so the writing seems poetic.

I spent all day packaging, photoing, and listing some more dyed ribbons, just a few of them with the writing. I can't believe how long it takes to do all this! Please visit my Etsy shop and also leave a comment on what you think of these ribbons. I do appreciate knowing your thoughts.











This is a practice piece of habotai silk I dye painted and is a sample of what the scarves might look like.