Inspiration weekend

We took a lovely minihike on Sunday to Talapus lake.  Washington is filled with gemlike lakes and many, many lake hikes.  You really can't go wrong.  This one was pretty easy as far as hikes go: walk up the mountain on some nicely groomed switchback trails, and then bam, there's the beautiful lake. Washington state is truly my greatest inspiration. I ...

How to ice dye

Ice dyeing is one of those crafts that is easy, colorful, and creates an impressive and interesting effect. Here's what you need to DIY: A bag of ice White fabric--jersey or loose woven cotten, linen, or hemp work well A window screen or sieve Procion Mx Dye in preferred colors Soda ash Dawn dishwashing soap A few buckets, one to mix ...

Leaf tessellation coasters!

After a hot and smoky summer it's finally fall, and the leaves are beginning to turn colors. The shapes and colors are inspiring. https://www.instagram.com/p/BZSh8kZgtwu/ When I found this one walking home from work, I knew I finally had a great idea for laser cut tessellations! This was in my "I want to DIY, but don't know how" todo list for a long ...

Matisse cutout inspired pillows

I love love love the cutouts of Henri Matisse. The paper shapes and compositions he made during the last decade of his life were at once colorful, abstract, organic and playful, and novel.  He called it "drawing with scissors. "  (This MoMA site describes his process--I love the picture of him in his studio surrounded by all the colorful paper detritus.) Last year ...

Dishtowel

I've had some gorgeous (and expensive) woven ikat fabric in my stash for several months.  The pattern is woven in, so that it's the same on both sides.    My original plan was to use it as trim and sleeves on a denim dress, but I realized that there wasn't enough material.   However, the material is soft and absorbent, ...