Something About Nothing

At our May meeting, the president of the Utah Surface Design Group taught us how to make these awesome Pine Needle Baskets. They are so adorable, and surprisingly easy too.

*I am attempting to catch up on my blog this month by posting everyday.  I will be back dating the posts, but they will be done at least once a day through the month of December.  Heber, Utah The Utah Surface Design Group brought Ana Lisa Hedstrom in to teach Shibori dyeing.  I was so excited for this class as I found out about the class just shortly after I purchased all of Ana Lisa's DVDs ! Ana Lisa wrapping a pole  I learned a lot from the DVDs but there is nothing like taking a class in person.  So many more tips and hints in person! Pole Painting Debbi Sigg , always having fun!  We learned Arashi (aka - pole wrapping), as well as Itajime (fabric folding with wrapping and sewing). After the first couple of days I started to feel off; Extra tired, and weak. I stuck it out for another day or two, I can't recall now, but then decided it was the extra altitude that was getting to me. Sadly, I ended up missin...

The Utah Surface Design Group is a diverse group of artists.   I am always inspired by the work presented during our show and tell nights.  This purse was so heavy but absolutely gorgeous.  This is a piece that had been woven about 80 years ago.  I wish I could remember the collection it came from.  Lovely designs added to these jeans.  Fun dyed fabrics!  Toni is explaining how she folded the fabric.  This globe was created using washers and a ball.  Kathryn always makes the cutest critters. Mimi has spend a lot of time stitching on this beautiful art quilt. She wasn't sure if it was done yet.  We were meeting in Sally's beautiful yard. I love this poppy she created! Sadly, this was one of those nights where I forgot to pull out my camera at the beginning and missed some lovely work!  

My friend Lynn Dell Swapp is a wonderful fiber artist. Back in the day, she sold tie dyed t-shirts and tapestries out of the back of her van along Highway 101 in Oregon. This past weekend Lynn Dell (center), Diane (left), Bev and I went up to our friend, Timmy's studio to learn a few of Lynn Dell's tricks. With Lynn Dell's help, Diane folded two large 100% cotton sheets. Here is the critter she ended up making with the first one. We thought it looked like a mutant turtle - it just wasn't very ninja. ;) Diane used a dish drainer turned upside down in a tray as a base while she added the dyes to her fabric. I took an awkward selfie to prove that I was really there. I only folded some smaller pieces of fabric. Deformed camel? Dog with an excessively large tail as well as a small tail? What do you see? This the folded chevron snake - the backside is about to get more dye. The next day we put all the creatures onto the ground and spr...

I feel like my brain is going to explode! It is loaded and quickly working to process  all the new information I learned this week in  Carol Soderlund 's Dyeing to Discharge class. Carol gives so much information in her classes  and run's a well organized and efficient class.  I am truly amazed at what we were able to pack in to just one week. It is no wonder I am exhausted! At the end of today's class we walked outside to see this beautiful sight. Of course the photo does not do the rainbow justice. A rainbow across the whole sky! What does it mean?!? I think it was a sign that we had had a fantastic, color filled week! Thank you, Carol! And a special thanks to everyone at USDG   who put this workshop together! Great job everyone! Photos of the yumminess created in class will be posted next week. I am too tired to do them justice tonight. While I am recovering, please tell me about when you have had the o...