More Heart Baskets

By far my most popular item are small, reed baskets in the shape of a heart. They aren't real hard to make but when they need to be stained or painted, it ends up being a multi-stage process. Especially if they are closed hearts.

This one took a little longer because I was trying to do a driftwood type affect. This means either multiple white washing or pickling dips (which is what I had done the first time I made one) or one white washing with a light coat of off-white paint (that I found while trying to purchase more pickling stain.) Same to similar affect but a lot easier.

The bright pink is still set off by the off white and unless you have the natural, whitewashed, and white together, it can be hard to tell the difference. Taking the picture on a white background showed the true color better. Now hopefully my customer will like it too!

Macrame' Workshop

It is a busy time of year but we had our last fiber arts workshop of our series last night. This one was on macrame'. I didn't think I had ever done macrame' but after a little research I realized the friendship bracelets we made in middle school and high school were a version of macrame', we just used embroidery floss instead of hemp.

The youth were excited for their last workshop. We had touched on so many topics, I was hoping this time there would actually be some finished projects. I have come to realize the true meaning of a sewing bee. It is definitely an opportunity to get together, socialize, and maybe work on a project. Same was true for this group of girls. New friends were made during the process and new skills were learned.

One of the best comments I heard last night was, "I could sit here and do this all day. This is so much fun!" Is great when that is the sentiment that is floating around (instead of one of frustration and desire for it to be over.)

Hopefully we will be able to schedule more workshops in the future. Right now we are switching gears to some technology games and activities, so will see.

Bracelet made by one of the youth (which ended up being a necklace!)

Hard at work!

Needle Art Workshop

One of our workshops we learned about needle art. We used a cookie cutter to make a pattern on our handkerchief. Works great since you can erase the line and if you wash it the pencil disappears. We used a cookie cutter for the clover and free-handed the H's. With a little patience it turned out great!

New Project - Dyed Reed Heart

Recent Project - Dyeing instead of painting

I had someone who wanted a dark brown or gray heart. They ultimately decided on a dark brown. This was the outcome. I love the darker ribbon with this instead of the sheer I normally use.

I did learn that the reed dyes better when the water is hot or warm. It doesn't hold as well if the dye water bath is cool.

Simple instructions on how to dye reed can be found at: http://www.ehow.com/how_13937_dye-reed.html