Jericho

Ok note to self and everyone else, don't watch three episodes of Jericho, back to back, right before you go to bed! We checked out the first three episodes last night and WOW I can see why viewers demanded that it be put back on tv! Needless to say my dreams were quite colorful last night.

It's pouring down snow right now, otherwise I'd go to the video store to pick up the next three episodes of the show!

Natural Surfaces Challenge

The Natural Surfaces Challenge:

You don't have to be a member of the group in order to participate but it might be easier if you want to be kept in the loop.

Each week I will post a new challenge topic:

Requirements are:

At least one natural technique must be used in your process: 18" x 24" to 1 Yard pieces of fabric please OR paper.

Yes you can combine paper and fabrics together.


You can join the group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Natural_Surfaces

Natural Processes (And I may add to this list later):

Natural Dyeing
Rust Dyeing
Compost Dyeing
Iron Oxides
Clay Dyeing
Pigment Painting

Results will be posted over on the Natural Surfaces Blog!

First Piece



Of the new year! I've been wanting to make something bright and cheerful - it's been dreadfully dull here this winter - so I made this little post card. It's inspired by my Soul Hole Challenge piece I made way back when, it's pictured at the bottom. I took the pic with my cell phone as my digital camera bit the dust, so the image isn't so great

new studio and more

Well it's official Prairie Fibers will be moving. The space is twice as big, and the rent half what I'm paying now. The biggest perk is I will have a bathroom! The downside is commuting everyday, but it's only 10 miles.

I'm am eagerly anticipating having a studio that is all mine, finally it'll all be in one location and the biggest perk no stairs to climb!!! It's difficult to create, effectively or efficently, when everything is strewn about here and there.

Printing onto webbing


Or Bondaweb as it is called in some places. This is a medium weight webbing, the heavier stuff prints well also - note I'm using my cheap Epson CS86 to do this with, not an expensive inkjet printer. You can also print directly onto regular, non fusible, interfacing as well.

the bottom images are on papers, the top prints are on various types of interfacings and webbings. These are from several years ago, according the file info, it's been awhile since I've done any transfers. I did take notes, so will have to consult them now, but I don't remember having any backing on the fusible webbing as went through the printer.

Sold!!!

I sold one piece of art, and one of my compost dyed silk scarves yesterday! Sondra "Hot Poppies" are on their way to you! Tis all very exciting and very uplifting.

I have a piece I've been meaning to work on the past few days I need to iron the fabric so I can get it put together, but have had a serious case of the lazies. Well when I get home from working a 16 hour day, at the shop, I'm too pooped to care - ever been there? So having sales on my Etsy.com store is just the squirt of energy I need to get more done in the studio. Happy creating and crafting everyone.

Keyhole Series


Here's a piece I made the other night. My stress levels are very high and with that goes the ability to design. So I started looking through my stash of art quilts I've made over the past few years and decided I liked this design - it's from my 2005 Journal Quilt Series I never sent off to Houston. I'll post those as well.


I've decided to work this design in different mediums, pushing it until I arrive at something I'm happy with, again.

New dyed fibers

Here's a hat Regina Rooks (you can see her blog here http://rgrdesigns.blogspot.com/) made for me, from hand-dyed wool yarn I purchased seveeral years ago. It'd be perfect for a small childs head.

A close up of the batts, click on an image to get an even bigger view.





I've been dyeing fibers and making batts for the shop. Most of these are blends of silk bombyx sliver, Austrailian wool, and mohair. Some of the batts have angelina in them. Some are really pretty, I don't have a picture of them will do that tomorrow, pinks and greens, yellows and greens. Using the drum carder makes my back ache.

What I Did Today

I cleaned the carpet in my studio - unfortunately my sheltie thinks carpet is synonomus with grass. Sooooo John bought me a carpet cleaning machine for Christmas! Merry Christmas sweetie! Tomorrow I'm doing the library (in a modern home this is known as the family room but we don't have kids so...) We only have two rooms with carpet, so to speak. I'm quite pleased with the results, I'm not sure but I think I need to rinse it again I'm worried there might be soap residue left in the pile, I'll know more tomorrow. But the carpet doesn't look so evil now.