Artistic Artifacts

We had the first of many dye days at the Annex this past weekend.  The idea of the workshop is- the student’s get to bring what they want to dye. Their own dolies, laces and trims. I recommend including fat quarter size wovens, or PFD fabric to coordinate with the small pieces. When the students arrive all the dye and chemicals are mixed ready for them to use, NO science, just play time. All the dyeing took place in canning jars so the rinse part of the dye process could be completed at home.

I received the following photos of their dyed fabrics from Elizabeth and Kathy.

We are charting out workspace on these great specially made for

dyeing and painting tables in our warehouse.

I saw this photo and had to laugh. This rat’s nest is exactly what happens when washing out trims in those netted bags. Try as hard as I do to keep the tangles to a minium – it is impossible.!!!  Does anyone have a better way that doesn’t involve hand washing?

Elizabeth got some great color!

A great photo!

For more of Elizabeth’s adventures visit her blog: http://elizabethcreates.blogspot.com/

 Kathy even has her fabrics and trims ironed and ready to work into her next art quilt!!

Who is ready for our next dye day at Artistic Artifacts Annex??!!

I have finished my hanging using materials created during the Laura Cater-Woods workshop at the Annex in Alexandria, VA.

 First we created our own sheer fabrics with the aid of Paper Solvy. Using this tool is still a working process for me-My favorite stablizer is batting and fast2fuse, not quite the same is it?

These fabrics are not finished yet. The white Paper Solvy is on part and clear/sheer the other side.  I have left the Paper Solvy in so I can practice free motion stitching with difficult threads. Then I will wash it away.  Laura tells you that there are 5 important things to remember for “perfect” (I use that term loosely) free motion stitching metallic/difficult threads….. take her workshop to find out!! Of course I highly recommend it.

 As mentioned in my previous post about Laura’s workshop, I jumped on a vintage silk scarf and flower pin to use as the starting point of my newly created fabrics.

Now to remember what I did?? I created each section/fabric individually, first step is sheer scarf, sheer fabrics, some gel printed, painted drain cloth, transfer photos and magic glue. The fabrics where then attached to thin fast2fuse red flowers pinned in place, backing added then free motion stitched.  I could have left the fast2 fuse and backing off to create a translucent fabric.  Beads, Foil and Stewart Gill Alchemy Paints were used to embellish the fabric further. I left all the edges raw, poked holes to join with silamide thread.

This is a photo is of the piece hanging in a window. It does seem to have some light to it. That was a nice surprise, thank you Tama!

All in all, I have several new techniques to add to my tool box, enjoyed my weekend with Laura and a workshop full of fiber artists, Thank you all for a great weekend.

As you finish your projects please email photos so I can add to my blog.  Jen and Dianne- I want to see what you do with all those gel printed fabrics!!???

We had a wonderful time with Laura Cater-Woods at the Annex this past weekend. The workshop was 3 full days- we began on Friday with color exercises and ended up the day making bits for our work. Over the 3 days many continued to make “bits” and a few of us did get some sewing into the mix.   Dianne and Jen loved the gel printing, And I mean LOVED the gel printing!! They both created wonderful fabrics. the challenge was to make transparent fabrics….

 Here are some photos:

These are color chips and Laura would toss out a challenge and in teams we had to create the answer.

I switched my digital camera to black and white and took the 2 photo’s …. really I was cheating…..

Fabric Samples created by Meghan.

Many Demos occured over the 3 days, here is Laura using foil. I do believe that everything looks better with a sprinkle of foil.

Here I am sewing. Jen had brought a bag to share, and a vintage scarf and flower hair barette was all I needed to get jump started. I created sheer collage fabrics, mounted on regular fast2fuse in 4 panels and will hang them in the window using knitting needles.

It was so wonderful to be sewing!!

Sunday we continued to work. We had to force ourselves to stop at the end of the day to share.

The first to share was Jen.  Jen never moved from the gel printing station. I can’t wait to see what she creates with her new fabrics!

Dianne was the other one who did not want to give up the gel printing station-she also created wonderful printed fabrics.

Elizabeth went for the transparent fabrics, a wonderful combination of techniques. Check Elizabeth’s blog to follow her creation.

Susan was expanding a work in process, this gel print has some paper solvy on it and created wonderful crevices.

Tama came to us from NC and a great addition to the group. This was a piece of fabric that had been painted on trays and picked up the impression. Tama had several panels, with windows and hand sewing – I missed that photo.

Jan had some fun with transparent fabrics and learned some more about her sewing machine!! very happy girl!

Meghan completed several panels with gel printed and transparent fabrics.

And Laura went home with purple shoes.. so even the instructors have some fun!!

I have said this before, but it is important enough to repeat. Taking a workshop with Laura Cater-Woods will expand you as and artist- it is well worth the time and money- check out her website for future workshop dates and locations and treat yourself!!

Of course please check out Artistic Artifacts for future workshops and products to use in your mixed media art.