INDIGO inspired quilts

This past winter I have had the opportunity to sew with a great group of children.  We've made pillows, wallets, tote and  drawstring bags, headbands and an assortment of garlands and holiday decorations.  

As I was looking for fabrics for a quilt project, I had the idea that they could create their own fabrics, making their quilts truly unique works of art.  I remembered that Susanna gave me an indigo dye kit (buy yours here) that I had wanted to experiment with. 

I LOVE it when things work out this way and I bought a boat load of crispy cotton muslin. 

We rolled, folded, twisted and tied up big squares of fabric. Everyone had four big pieces of rolled up tied up twisted muslin to dye. 

The process of the dye bath is a little tricky but we fell into the groove and cheered each other on as the results are truly magical. We spent two classes dying fabric for the quilts. The directions included in the kit are very specific and easy to follow. 

The sewing was a breeze.. everyone had 16 squares to work with, 4 squares from each of the 4 pieces of fabric they dyed. They then chose 4 pieces to match and sew together to make new larger squares, piecing and patch working together. 

 

bundling, tying, twisting muslin

                                                        squeezing fabric in dye bath

unwrapping first batch of indigo 

                                                                     hanging to dry

                                                        sewing squares of dyed indigo 

 We  are still working on the quilts, we've got batting and backs to tackle next. 
 I  couldn't wait any longer to share the process so far, I am so proud of these kids. 
 YAY INDIGO!   and thank you Susanna for the kit! 

Sweet Paul Makerie

WHAT does a girl say when her friend asks her to go to the 
Sweet Paul Makerie Workshop?
She says.. yes please and thank you. 

I teach and explore ART with children.  I offer classes, workshops and throw in a birthday party here and there.  I love what I do. I've operated beehive ART, an art studio for children, for 7 years.  I have explored ART with children for 20. I love the surprise, the reflection and exploration with children. My mission is to offer them the time, the space and the materials to get lost in their creativity. And allow them to run with it.

And now, it was MY turn!

I was so excited about the retreat.
to get away after this long winter.
to be inspired, to learn, explore and create.  
to be a kid. to laugh. to have time to reflect. 
to be with my good friend.
to step out of the driver's seat and let go.

I had some idea what I was getting into as Leslie had filled me in about last year's event. But this was something else.  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Alice in Wonderland? Mary Poppins?  It was all of that and a whole lot more. Pleasant surprises and delicious creativity. I was humming and buzzing and purring all weekend.  

Thank you Paul and Paul and Ali and Krissa for creating such a truly amazing experience for each of us.  Thank you for the the opportunity to let ourselves get lost in our own world of  ideas, thoughts and inspiration. Thank you for rejuvenating and restoring the compassion of creativity we all carry with us, but don't often have the time to explore. Thank you for being so good to us, a reminder that we need to be good (better) to ourselves.  Thank you for making us laugh, a lot.

And a big huge thank you to my lovely friend Leslie for making it all possible for me. I loved every moment.  Here's to many more excursions with you and I promise to be a better navigator on the way home. xx

 

The stunning setting for this event was held at Terrain at Styers. 

If you haven't been to Terrain here 

or in Westport CT it is a must. 

 YOU will be swept away. 

and while you're at it..

sweet paul 

the makerie

big dress

This is me this morning,

big dress little head.  

lewis carroll

Visual poetry from the Lewis Carroll picture book - 1899

Marbling with shaving cream

 Adding drops of color 

Gently swirling

                                                   Pressing  paper on to swirled color

                                         Peeling paper off, this is where it gets globby but keep going

                                                    Scraping excess shaving cream off of paper

                                                                               MAGIC!

Printing is big at beehive. 

Marbling is also. 

This is a combination of both. Colorful, magical AND it smells good. 

WE could have printed all day.
We used photograph paper for a smooth glossy surface and finish.
Liquid water colors, shaving cream, droppers, scrapers and paper - you will need a stack!

spreading some color love

sharpie + oil pastel + watercolor 
water colors, oil pastels  and filters from here

voiLA!!