Oh Boy!

I got a new camera!

Its a Cannon EOS Rebel XS SLR Digital Camera (whew!)

I have just started taking it out of the box and I'm just a little intimidated by it.

(don't worry I'll get over it)

This is definately the nicest camera I've ever gotten.

I've been mightly frustrated with my old camera, it was great when I was just getting started with digital photography but I've been pining for the complete control that I used to have with my old 35mm Nikon, and unwilling to give up the instant gratification that I get with digital.

Plus my old camera ate AA batteries at such a rate I wasafraid the EPA was going to track me down. There were some other problems with it as well: auto flash (I don't like flash), and a skewed viewfinder that made me crazy.

I chose to go for a camera that will let me take the reins when I want to...

Now I just have to figure out how to use it!

Karamatsu Shibori Part 2

I was unsure of what results I would get yesterday. There is a moment, as dye is applied to these delicately resisted pieces of fabric, when you think "oh, I don't believe that the resist can possibly be strong enough" Its not unreasonable to doubt it. After all those pleats are only 1/8 of an inch tall and fiber reactive dyes are really quite strong.

I applied the dye to the fabric by brushing and dabbing it on with a foam brush. It was unthickened and to the eye it seemed to make it into every nook and corner in the bound design. Those pleats might be tiny but they held firm. I'm really pleased with the results. They are much better than I expected in that moment of doubt. Maybe I will try another using thickened dye to see if I can get more uniform results along the length of the design...

I used a rusty orange color that I think will compliment the orange of the old pillow.

Anyone else notice that I seem to have alot of projects in orange/rust colors? It's kind of weird. I can't really say that those are colors that I am especially drawn to but they seem to come up alot for me.

Karamatsu Shibori

This is called Karamatsu Shibori or larch pattern
I'm really fond of it but I haven't had especially good success with it

I thought I would try it again today.
The end result should be a row of circular radiating motifs...

Lets see what happens.

Worth Saving

A few of the projects that are in the project bin are old things that need repair or ressecetation.

This is an old pillow of mine that sustained some dog inflicted damage. Our puppy isn't much for chewing up things now but the first 6 months or so after her adoption she did have a couple of destructive moments. This little pillow that my mom embroidered was one of the casualities.

I think I will bring it back with an addition that I will make...

Books

2 large totes of books dropped off at the library today and I found out they take donations of magazines! that will make it a great deal easier to let them go...
I am making progress here!

Night Off

No sorting tonight, I just played with these

Tonight after sorting through ALL of the bedding in 85 degree heat and nasty, soupy humidity I honestly qualify as a hot mess. There is a tepid shower with my name on it waiting for me.
I found this Old German Proverb today that I will be keeping in mind as I start the sorting of the studio closet in the next two days:
"Who begins too much accomplishes little"