Jami's Blog

Sewing a tote!

It has been ages since I really sewed something. Well, I did sew a few silk ribbons awhile back but my serger was acting up so I quit doing that for awhile. This was a quick little pattern for a one handled shopping bag. It is not real big, big enough to hold lettuce and all the fixens for a salad. I used some of the hand dyed fabric from class and whipped it right up. I am happy with how it turned out! Excuse the corny garden background shot..... actually it's not corny, it's lettucey! :)

Terranova 2

A bead made with Double Helix Terranova 2 glass.

Testing photos

Testing out photos. Me and my camera just don't see eye to eye sometimes.
Photographing silver is so difficult!

Undyeing!

Oh, today was so fun at class! I love the little synapses going.
I love repetitive design. I cannot help it!
Our samples today make my heart go pitter patter!
These were made by Denise, Cheryl, Jean and I.
Hubby is driving home from CA and I should perhaps vacuum or wash the sheets, you know, wifey kind of things....The other side of me is so desperate to go buy bleach and make a huge mess in the kitchen (and it doesn't involve cooking)! I might have to compromise and buy bleach and do housework another day!
Sounds like a good compromise to me!

Three different discharge dyeing techniques. They are triangles (sankaku), tortoiseshell (kikko) and lattice (goshi) patterns.

Arashi Shibori

Today was the second of a four session class on dyeing shibori fabrics.
Holly Stewart http://thehollystewart.com is the teacher and boy am I loving it. Such stimulation!! Ohhh... and ahhhhhs....
I can't believe it has taken me like five years to take a class at the KC Art Institute. I should have done this a long time ago! Trying to learn things on your own really takes much more time and you miss out on the interaction, immediate question answering and meeting new people.
I am already wanting to sign up for more!

Five scarves from four of us gals in class.

Happy Father's Day

This is a wonderful picture taken by daughter Laura in Scottsville, Virginia
I am so incredibly proud of the her for taking, developing and hand coloring this photo.
The photo is of her grandfather and to me is very powerful in many ways.

The Rabbit Is Here

The rabbit has found the lettuce.
He was seen sitting right in the middle and having a nice dinner.
For some reason he doesn't like spinach!

I have been very busy in the studio and am enjoying some new designs.
I love to design, it's the fabricating and perfectionism I suffer that always keeps me trying new things.

Growing season

Veggies take how long to grow??

Our garden looks small when photographed from the deck.
Each bed is 8 feet x 4 feet. I am following somewhat the square foot gardening plan.
I cheated by planting plants from local nurseries, including 18 corn plants!
I think I might have to put up a rabbit fence because last night one chewed the twine
on one row and one bean vine.

Music to get

I've been super duper busy here gardening and being outdoors. Hubby is home from California and we have put in a raised bed garden which I am planting square foot gardening style. I'll take photos soon and share!
Meantime, here is an awesome Nine Inch Nails free CD, The Slip
It's great studio music!!!
And also another music recommendation, Flobots! Get it!