Away Too Long

Despite declaring just last week that I'm putting aside

all studio projects in order to meet an important 

mid-August deadline, this shirt -

this much loved, well-worn, (stained) white shirt - 

kept begging for a new lease on life.

Unable to ignore it any longer, 

out came a dye pot and a bag of yellow onion skins.

 I pre-mordanted the white shirt in tannin, 

and followed that with an alum soak.

The next day, the onion skins were simmered for an hour 

and then steeped for an hour.

Aiming for a mottled effect, I laid bands of onion skins 

directly onto the shirt hoping they would deposit 

concentrated doses of color where ever they made contact

with the shirt.

 Then, I carefully rolled it all up.

 Loosely tied with organic jersey strings, this is the bundle 

as it first entered the dye pot.

Mid-way through the 24 hour soak, I removed the strings  

and opened out the shirt allowing for full contact 

with the dye bath. 

Cross your fingers that the skins on the interior of the shirt 

had enough time to deposit concentrated color. 

 Rinsed and hung to dry, the shirt looks great.

A soft, mottled effect is visible, 

the overall color is rich, 

and I couldn't be happier!

This is the first natural dyeing I've done 

since last summer, and clearly I've been away too long.

After the mid-August deadline is met, I have a feeling that

the dye pots will once again be put to use.

Perhaps Indigo?

Now that's an exciting thought. :)

Hello, Planetarium

 I am smitten by Planetarium! 

Over the weekend at the Finger Lakes Lavender Festival  

my friend Marjorie and I met Esther Yaloz, 

textile designer and owner of Planetarium.

Esther is as lovely as her work, and I just couldn't 

leave the festival without an item to covet from her booth. 

If you're in the area, she also sets up shop at 

the Ithaca Farmer's Market about every other Sunday, 

although it's best to follow her on Facebook for 

updates on where she's selling. 

Esther also sells online, here.

Many of you are so kind to ask about my adorable 

and spunky 3 year old neice, Fabrizia,

a.k.a. Breezy.

Jeff and I were fortunate to spend four days with her 

over the Fourth of July holiday. Every day brought 

fishing, reading, swimming and roasting marshmallows!

With a little help from her Uncle Jeff, she caught at least 
a half dozen fish in Keuka Lake. She even pulled out the worms 
from the worm bucket. Impressive!

For the past few weeks I have set aside all work in the studio
so that I can focus on a mid-August deadline for 
Quilts=Art=Quilts 2014.
The work is thrilling to me, albeit slow and steady.
It will be a few more weeks before the studio gets back to 
normal, if there even is a normal? 

In the mean time,
I'd love to hear what you're working on this summer!

Everything Old Is New Again

Recently soaking up every ounce of the Folklore issue of

Selvedge Magazine, I was pleasantly surprised to find 

a few articles devoted to the recent come back of 

wood block printing, on both wallpaper and textiles. 

Wood block prints occupy a warm place in my heart.

Since cutting my first linoleum block in grade school,

I've occasionally returned to the process over the years, 

as it's a natural outlet for my design sensibilities. 

I've only recently come to know that about myself, 

and now that I do, block printing is 

alive and well in my studio. 

Because I don't have work of my own yet to show,

I thought I'd treat you to a sampling of today's incredibly  

talented wood block printers, starting with the 

renown UK artist Hugh Dunford Wood:

Tudor

 Tree

Rousseau

 Peaceable Kingdom 

Cushions

I'm a huge fan of his work, and you can read more about 

Mr. Wood's own fascinating story, amazing accomplishments and 

see more of his studio's lively designs on his website.

Let's also cheer on the home team of the Philadelphia-based 

company Galbraith and Paul, 

producing beautiful block printed wallpapers and textiles.

 Lotus

Tile

 

Spring Garden

While Galbraith and Paul have recently switched to

some digitized design work, overall, it's heartening to

 see such a time-honored hand craft coming back for 

another round of due popularity world-wide.

Here are a few other block printers' websites 

noted in issue 59 of Selvedge Magazine:

http://www.katherinemorris.com/

http://cargocollective.com/indiarosebird

http://hamiltonweston.com/

Finally, because no discussion about wood block prints 

would be complete without mention of the master himself, 

William Morris:

http://www.wmgallery.org.uk/

The Difference Between Work and Toil

Summer has officially arrived!  

The studio is busy with work: surface designs, 

sewing patterns and art quilts and more.

Shoulder to the grindstone, 

 I'm loving the work that is revealing itself. 

Thanks to all of you who have shown me support 

with your notes, hugs and interest in the work I'm doing. 

Your kindness goes a long way, 

especially when the hours grow long and the days grow short!

I truly appreciate your efforts and care.

Now, as I head back to the studio, here are a few treats:

Each year, as Independence Day approaches 

I seek out stories about our country's history; 

the people, their struggles, their victories and so on.

My favorite story teller is U. Utah Phillips.

 Above is a brief recording he made sharing his 

insights about anarchism. 

Enlightening.

The second half especially struck a chord in me, 

and I wanted to share it with all of you.

Let me know if anything strikes a chord with you. 

  I'd love to hear.

 If your summer knitting is begging for a new bag,  

you're just in time...

new bags have landed in the shop

and today through Sunday, July 6th

everything in the shop is 15% off!

Just enter the code INDEPENDENCE14 at checkout.

All orders will be filled Monday the 7th.

Happy Independence Day! 

Wishing everyone a star-spangled 4th of July!