Rocks, Rubber Bands, and Things

I taught Fantastic Tie Dye at John C. Campbell Folk School at the beginning of April. I had a WONDERFUL class. All 8 of my students were excited to learn to tie dye and they all inspired me to do more.  We started out as strangers and ended up as friends. I like that!

While getting read for my class at JCC, I read about artists who use rocks, marbles, and other found objects to put designs into fabric. I decided to try it out (and so did several of my students.)

First, I gathered my rocks.

Then I got my presoaked scarf ready.

I used rubber bands to secure the rocks in a randomish pattern on the scarf.

Next I dyed the scarf in shades of purple and blue on a green background.

The hardest part was waiting for 24 hours to open it up.  WOW, I love it!!!

My next scarf project involved marbles and a fringed scarf. Keep scrolling to see that finished project.

I liked working with the marbles more than working with the rocks.

Here is a close up of the pattern. My Mom choose a light shade of green and purple.

So, get out the marbles and rubber bands and get going!

Tina

Fun with Tie Dye

I have the best job in the world!  I am not just saying that because I am a mom. I say that because I get paid to make people smile!

 I make clothes that make people smile. Usually they make me smile too.

This custom dyed suit was for a customer in Australia.

I hope your job makes you smile!

Exploring Color and Science with Tie Dye

I love to teach people to tie dye. I wish I could teach everyone I meet. But, alas, I cannot. So I figured the next best thing was to write a book to teach about the color and science behind tie dye.

I spend about 5 weeks researching and writing (I needed to make sure what I have been teaching for years was correct) before I got to the point where I needed a cover. That was the hard part (or so I thought.) Once I found the perfect image I had to design the cover.

The hard part for me was getting the text the way I envisioned it in my mind onto my cover. It actually took me about 12 hours and I never got it right. I was sooooo frustrated!

My daughter Melissa got home on Friday and today I asked her to help me. In less than one minute (YES 1 minute) she had it done. I knew she could do it and do it well. Now I know how to do it too!

YEAH Melissa and YEAH me!!!

So, tell your friends about my book. They can have fun and keep mentally active this summer.

I love my girls. . .

 . . .  and my boys!

I am a fortunate woman.  According to the Economist Magazine life begins at 46, so life is good for me since I will be 47 soon.  If I had read that life begins at 46 on Facebook, I don't think I would have believed it, but because it was in a major publication read all around the world it must be true!  ; )

We celebrated Katie's 21st birthday at the Brasstown Valley Resort.

I am also fortunate to be the mother of 4 wonderful children.  My daughters are pictured above.  Sadly, even with my high heels I am still the shortest of the Rice Girls.  My children are kind, smart, artistic, healthy, successful, happy, and helpful.  What more could a mother ask for? (you can see a photo of Daniel in my previous post).

In addition to life beginning at 46 and having wonderful children, I have a wonderful business.  I get to make the world a more colorful place with my tie dye.

Life is good!  Now if only I could get my blog button to work AND be grabbable.

John C. Campbell Folk School

I live in a wonderful part of the country!  I am surrounded by mountains, trees (too many and too green but that is for another day), wonderful friends, and a huge artistic community.  The John C. Campbell Folk School is not far from where I live and I consider it one of the modern wonders of the art world!  I am SO very fortunate to be able to teach there this October (28-30).  I feel quite honored to be an instructor - it is basically a dream come true.

Tonight I came home from taking Abbie to a class and had just sat down when the phone rang.  It was the coordinator of the Folk School's scheduling asking if I would like to teach in 2012.  Being invited once to teach was exciting - being asked a second time is VERY VERY VERY exciting!!!  Check out the Folk School by clicking HERE.  You can see my class description by clicking HERE.

AHH, I think I need a cup of tea.