Printing Results

Here is the report from the silk screen workshop I took a few weeks ago.

The house heat eventually came on and I was able to dry the packets to set the pigment.

I lay the packets on the radiator.

Rinsing.

bubbles in the sink

I was so pleased most of the print was still visible.

I did not lose any of the designs.

I love the textures I've created.

Not sure yet what I will do with these pieces.

Printing Workshop

I took a workshop at ColourVie with Gunnel Hag; Deconstructed Screen Printing.

It was a silkscreen printing workshop using textured items to make designs. Loved it! It is exactly what I focus on when doing my art- repurposing items like plastic and using things that are destined for landfill.

One part of the technique that is important is keeping the fabric wet and moist after it has been printed. Heat is needed to set the dyes...which of course proved difficult for me as today is Day 9 of NO HEAT in the house...a reminder for people: I live in Canada and winters are cold! (anyway they are installing a new boiler today so I will be ok this evening)

I wrapped the printed fabrics in plastic and tried to keep them warm tucked into a pile of quilts.

I will have to give you a report later on after I heat the fabrics and rinse them. It could be that I lose all the colour and nothing sets!

I really hope I won't lose all my work.

The packets are wrapped in plastic, then in a cloth bag
then tucked into the middle of a pile of quilts while I wait for the radiators to get hot.

Silent Auction

I have been invited to submit an art piece for a neighbourhood event at Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre. This is the piece I am submitting for the silent auction.

Anemone
4.5"x4.5"
polyester thread work, hand-dyed silk, machine stitched

Things in a frame sell better at these types of events. I framed it in a shadow box.

1900 Davenport Road, Toronto,
 for those who want to attend

I hope it can help raise some money for their centre.

Here and There

My son and I dropped in at Propeller, a gallery on Queen Street in downtown Toronto, to see textile works by graduating students from Sheridan College at the exhibit "Here and There".

I liked the idea from artist, Mary Desrosiers.

An excerpt from her artist's statement:

"This piece examines preconceived notions about size and how ones identity can gradually change over time. Whether that change is from the internal or external factors...... I feel knitting is one of the best visual ways to show the passing of time."

Transformation 2012
hand knitting, acrylic yarn, rayon and cotton threads

My favorite piece was by Francie V.

His Twinkling Perch, 2012, detail
cotton, cutwork, natural dyes, embroidery

His Twinkling Perch and other works from students, furniture and textile.

It is great to see such open-minded interest from a 19 year old!

Travel Blanket

My on-line course continues.

The first step was dying some fabric.

Three dyed fabrics to consider. I wanted to use the middle one
but the one on the left turned out to be better.
Sometimes you have to listen to what your fabric is telling you!

The next step was looking for fabric that would help me tell the story of my travels.

I am ready to layer the back, the flannel and the top together and baste it using the tailor's basting stitch.

Then comes the stitching. I am looking forward to that part. I bought some nice threads.

4 small hand-dyed silk spools, made in Romania (Valdani)
 and a gift from my friend Gabriella
of hand-dyed silk thread from Umbria

On-Line Class

Usually Wednesday is my messy day but this week I made my mess on Monday.

I dyed cotton fabric for my on-line course with Dijanne Cevaal.

rinsing with white vinegar and cold water

I have been cleaning up my basement and found a tie-dye kit from one of the kids. There was a little dye left so I used it on another piece of cotton.

I think I will try dying some silk. I am getting the hang of this...it's not as scary as I thought.