Category: Blog

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Planner Post!

planner cover

Check out  my 2022 planner!

 

I realized, as I was filming, that it isn’t super interesting to look at.. yet. It takes a year of time together for it to really gain character. Right now, it’s more of an empty slate. I will add more quotes and stickers before 2022 starts and throughout 2022 as well.

Some of the quotes I’ve added so far are:

“How would an artist with any self esteem act? Act that way.” Julia Cameron,

“Passion will get you through times of no technique better than technique will get you through times of no passion.” Bill Brent

“Please make it obvious so I don’t miss it” that one is just me, talking to the universe because I lack the hint taking gene.

“Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects with everything else.” da Vinci. That one is written on a paint swatch and has been used in at least three of my recent planners. 

Obviously, I need more quotes. I’m a sucker for a good quote.

I used to add more page headers and structure (like mind map templates and numbers for lists) but I found myself rebelling against my own systems so I’ve chilled on that.

I used washi tape (all over the place but also) on the edges of the calendar pages to make them easy to find. My collage pieces are from my own painted papers and some bits from the book “The Human Figure In Motion” by Eadweard Muybridge. It was published in 1901 and is an amazing work of, really, just the human figure in motion but it was new tech in it’s time. It’s very early camera work. I lucked out and found a copy for about $ .50 at a thrift shop but then I fell in love with it and bought the cd rom copy – which is already old tech.  Sheesh.

Because my new planner is such an empty slate, I’ve added a very quick flip through of my 2021 planner, which has been around the block a few times. It is also my favorite planner so far:

 

If you’re looking for planner making inspiration, check your tube. I’m not a bullet journal, organizational systems person but plenty of folks are.

I highly recommend making yourself a planner. It’s incredibly satisfying.

 

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Dyeing with Devil’s Beggarticks

hand dyed yarns and fabric
Last week, I met a stranger on the side of the road to score some weed. Devil’s Beggarticks is the weed, by the way. The stranger was a friend of a friend who was offering up some of this aggressive plant to anyone who wanted to dye with it. I’m so glad I tried it out. 

 

 

Two batches: the first was flowers and leaves and the second batch was leaves and stems. I don’t think there’s much of a difference: the wool from the stem batch is a little lighter. 

I soaked one piece of cotton and one hank of embroidery floss in milk and water for each batch to see if it made a difference. All of the fiber is mordanted but milk supposedly acts as a binder and I wanted to run a little, unscientific test. I think it made a difference. The darker pieces are the milk soaked ones. Really specifically, it was a little milk and mostly water. 

The wool is overdyed, I used the batch I had solar dyed with Curly Dock seeds. It’s so vibrant!!

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Fresh indigo leaves, ice and silk!

Indigo dyed silk hanging on the line

I had a great day visiting my indigo plants out on the farm.  That’s right.  I have some indigo plants out at a farm in Brodhead. I am the luckiest person in the world! 

It’s a long story that involves a possible Burning Man Global Arts Grant that was interrupted by the pandemic. N’uff said. I don’t like to dwell on the story because when I tell it, I sound like I’m complaining (because I am) and I don’t like to sound that way. 

ANYHOOO! Today I harvested a bucketful and decided to try out the blender and ice method of dyeing.  

Blender with indigo bits in it

I cheated in a huuuge way in that I measured nothing. I eyeballed it and it seems to have worked out fine so far. 

I took a small bucketful of plants and removed the leaves. Then I filled a blender with ice water and the leaves and blended it all up.  It reminded me of the green drinks I used to try to choke down during a very short and ill advised health food jag. I do love the smell of indigo plants, though.  

Indigo leaf slurry after being blended

Then I strained the liquid into a bucket. I froze the mush that didn’t go through the strainer to play with later.

I put some silk that I had scoured into water and then threw it into the juice.  I don’t know what types of silk I used.  A few months ago I bought a grab bag of silks from Dharma Trading Company to play with. It’s a variety pack of off cuts.  Awesome for experimenting with.

Fresh Indigo dyed silk, dyed using fresh leaves and ice in a blender

Anyhoo, I didn’t stir it around. I wanted a cool looking chaotic pattern and that’s what I got. If I had moved the fabric around more the color would have been more solid. I let the fabric sit in the juice for about 30 minutes.

After I pulled it out I gave it a quick rinse.

 

Fresh Indigo dyed silk, dyed using fresh leaves and ice in a blender

The color is so vibrant, I’m very happy with it. 

Fresh Indigo dyed silk, dyed using fresh leaves and ice in a blender

I really like this one, it’s soft and the pattern looks ethereal to me.

Fresh Indigo dyed silk, dyed using fresh leaves and ice in a blender

You don’t really need to be perfect to dye with indigo plants, you can play and have fun sometimes. 

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On A Tear

indigo dyed bagI made a little sandwich bag and then, by mistake, I made three more. It’s just such a sweet and simple pattern and the bag is so gorgeous in indigo. I played a little with the sizes and shapes.

indigo bag

The pattern is from the book “Linen, Wool, Cotton” by Akiko Mano. It’s an older book full of really cute patterns that are easy enough for a beginner. That said, I totally cut the pattern wrong but they are adorable anyway.

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Shibori and Indigo Dyed Class Samples

arashi shibori samples

Today was a cool fall day but I still got out and made some Shibori and Indigo dyed samples for my upcoming indigo dye classes at The Electric Needle.

Fall is coming again. Dang it. I thought summer would go on and on. For some reason (hope related) I always think summer will never end, not this year.  But I was wrong again.

arashi shibori samples
Tight on the left and loose on the right. Really it’s the opposite of how things should be: righty tighty, left loosey.  Oops

I’ve either sold or quilted many of my arashi samples so I knocked out a few more. I just love arashi shibori.  All of these were made by sewing the fabric into a tube that was then put around a PVC pipe and then NOT wrapped with string (ummm…if you’ve never done it before, trust me, that makes more sense when you see the process).  I love how organic and watery they look.  The wider guys are half yards.  One was a tight tube and one was loose, which makes such a dramatic difference!

Arashi shibori samples small

These skinny dudes are actually called “skinny quarters”. They are 9 inches wide. Each one was sewn into a bias tube and put on a tube. Only one was a tight tube and I’m embarrassed to admit that I can’t remember which is which. They are hanging on the line right now. I’m pretty durn sure that it’s the one with more white.

Itajime Star

I also needed some Itajime samples. I met some amazing dye artists last weekend at a Circle of Life Studio event in Eagle River.  They were all so inspiring. I followed the lead of Yukako Kadono of Slow Stitch Studio. I moved my blocks around and got these great color changes. I love this picture especially because you can see the green from the color change that indigo goes through on the left side of the star.

Katano Shibori

I did play a little but with some Katano Shibori.  It’s done with a sewing machine and can really look dramatic.  I haven’t done this one very much but I really enjoy it and plan to do more.

Itajime wrapping cloth

And finally this big one is a blank from Dharma Trading Company that I wanted to test out.  I think this size cloth (about 42 X42) would make awesome wrapping cloths for presents.

I dyed till I ran out of light last night.  If you scroll through all the pictures, you can kinda see the progression of the sun going down.

As much as I’m bummed that summer is ending (NOOOOoooooooOOOO!!!), I’m glad to get back into the Electric Needle Studio to teach. We’ve scheduled classes on the first Saturday of every month from October to May (not including January) and it feels like I’m going home again.  You can check my events page or just head over to the Electric Needle’s class page to learn more and sign up.

I’ll post more about last weekend in another post.  I’m still kinda processing how awesome it was.

 

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So Excited!

I just got these in the mail: a dozen GIANT handwoven cotton scarves from Maiwa.  Guess what I’m going to do with them 🙂

Khadi Cotton Fine Handwoven Shawls

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Wearing a scarf ALL OF THE TIME!

The air is crisp, and twinkle lights are out all around the city lighting up the dark nights. True winter means you’re wearing a scarf ALL THE TIME! So, why not rock an indigo-dyed infinity scarf! Perfect for keeping the chill off.

All I Want For Christmas Is…..Deep Into Indigo!

Are you wishing that Santa helps you get your Christmas wish of a hot summer weekend of indigo dyeing in 2018, but want to know a little more first?
Here are some FAQs about the retreat:

 

Q: Can I bring my own fabric to dye?
YES!  While the retreat price includes all your materials, including fabric, tools, and access to prepared dye vats, you can bring whatever you want (as long as it’s natural fiber) to prep and dye during the retreat.

Q: Will I learn how to prepare different types of indigo vats?
YES! Jen will demonstrate how to do both natural and synthetic vats.

Q: What is included in the cost of the retreat?
Deep Into Indigo is an all-inclusive retreat. That means you get your lodging, meals (including wine and cocktails), instruction and all indigo dyeing supplies & tools. You can bring your own fabric, but only if you want to.

 

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Aldo Leopold Sale

Yesterday was so fun!  I love the Aldo Leopold Sale.  The vendors are really talented, the location is gorgeous, the people are nice and I get to support the nature center.  What could be better?

Matt took a quick shot of me with my tunics and other awesome blue things for sale.  Now I can relax for a little while, which is awesome.

The tunics will soon be available at Blue Bar Quilts in Middleton so be sure to stop by.

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Dyeing Like Crazy

I’ve been dyeing like crazy to get ready for my December 3rd Sale at the Aldo Leopold Center in Madison.  To be honest, I fear that I made too much.  I’m going to bring a bunch of stuff, display one or two of each type of dyed thing and keep some under the tables.  But you’re in the know, so ask me to bring out more patterns when you stop by my table.

I had a lot of fun dyeing at One One Thousand but only shared pictures through Instagram so here are some collaged screen shots

I’ve been lucky enough to dye in all of the publicly available dye studios in town: Blue Bar Quilts, The Electric Needle and – though it not officially a dye studio – One One Thousand.  They are all my favorite places to dye.  All of them.

So if you are a local dyer, I recommend that you call one up and reserve some time.  They are all equally awesome.  I was treated to a beautiful sunset when leaving One One Thousand so I’m sharing my blurry picture of it with you. I hope I see you tomorrow!!!