The Lady Banks roses are in full bloom here at the Quill, the scent softly wafting on the spring breeze...
Enticing me to come out and play...
Promising a peaceful perfect place to set up an en plein air studio...
They have festooned themselves with pretty pastel ribbons...
Strips of muslin dipped, dyed, and dried...
Barely there blue, soft sea green, light lemon yellow, calm coral, and a tad of tan...
Sun printing on the stepping stones...
Rusty junk...
All wrapped in fabric...
Uh-Oh! Something went a little wrong!
I imagined a creamy fabric with rusty details, instead I got black and gray Birch bark!
Roll number two, what's a girl to do?
I imagined rusty wire tracks across the sepia surface but got a kind of sad tie dye effect...
Bundle number 3 oh dear me!
It came out looking like a bacteria slide under a microscope...
This little experiment went awry due to a chemical reaction in the metal and a compound I added to speed along the rusting process. Impatience rarely pays off, next time I will allow the base process to work its magic without my "help". In all honesty I love the surprise designs, that is part of the fun, not knowing exactly what will be revealed at the end of the process.
Fabric number 4, the sun print is a score!
Back indoors, a gathering of sun dried hand dyed ribbons ready to be stamped or stitched...
This is how I spent my weekend, soaking up the sun, savoring the floral scented breeze, wrapping this, dying that, tinting here, being surprised there, all en plein air!
My hope is that some new play things will get me inspired to create something, I am in a creative slump. Remember the commercial that the guy says he has come to the end of the internet? I feel like I have come to the end of creative ideas. I am pretty sure it is just a case of spring fever, I want to be outside. At least I am being productive making up masses of muslin ribbons and fabric backgrounds until my indoor studio muse calls again. Maybe I will set up an outdoor sewing studio today!
Sandy
P.S. I also planted some bulbs, mixed Caladium, in a nice shady spot near our garden pond. If anyone out there can give a novice non-gardener kind of gal like me a little advice I would really appreciate it. The package said to plant the bulb pointed side up. Well these things looked like lumps of coal, no real point. There were some little sprout things coming out of one end but I could not tell if they were roots or shoots. I am trying to figure out if I planted them down side up or right side down!
This will be yet another interesting experiment here at the Quill!
What wonderful projects you did... And could thus enjoy the lovely, lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteAnd why not set up an outdoor sewing studio? Sounds like a perfect way to enjoy the spring, and get your creative-juices flowing.
Let us know how it worked out...
"A gush of bird-song, a patter of dew,
A cloud, and a rainbow's warning,
Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue--
An April day in the morning.”
~~Harriet Prescott Spofford
I like all the backgrounds even if they didn't come out as you expected. What a lovely sunprint you created...sparking of ideas going on here. You make me chuckle to think of your running out of ideas. Hahahahahaha...'t ain't too likely! Hope that you are enjoying another fabulous day!
ReplyDeleteAdore the sun dried print - it turned out wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOHMYGOODNESS!!!! Sandy, I've been wanting to do this with fabric for forever and just haven't gotten off my bottom and made it happen!!! I think each and every piece is absolutely gorgeous!!!! You've inspired me sweet friend, to finally create a few fabric bundles...any of these would make the most gorgeous backdrop for a nature quilt or assemblage! hugs and love, Dawn
ReplyDeleteDear Sandy,
ReplyDeleteI think you made gorgeous pieces , they looks wonderful, and will be stunning backgrounds--- the coloured ribbons looks so beautiful,in their soft tones of nature.
I never knew one could make sunprints on fabric- it is fantastic- what an exiting rersult.
I want to go play like you, but here it is SO cold, and snowed again, today!
Hugs,Dorthe
These are just so beautiful! The sun dyes and the ribbons especially are winners! :D Though everything is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Love your Lady Banks roses! Mine are white. Used to have the yellow in the back but, hubby chopped them all down because they got out of control.
ReplyDeleteI predict....someday the disastrous experiment will definitely be just what you're looking for in a project. It's meant to be. You'll see. ;-)
ReplyDeleteXO Diane