Batik on Paper, Dyeing for Fun

These are just a few of the images from Thursday's Play Date. Hot wax, dye, cookie cutters, brushes, Tjanting tools, messes, what more could anyone want? The only question remaining is What Do We Do With It All? I think greeting cards may be on the menu, but more testing is in the works for book covers. Oh, the paper is Arches Text Wove. And ironing out all the excess wax.

Doodlers Unite !

Finally, A New Creation

I had the great honor and privilege of taking a bookbinding workshop from Teacher Extraordinaire, Judy Sommerfeldt.  She is the quintessential educator as well as a quality craftswoman.   We made three books in two and a half days, and I mean long ones.  If you know me, you'll understand how hard it is for this hyperactive person to sit still long enough to accomplish so much so fast, but hey, we're all still growing and learning, aren't we?

We started by making the paper covers for two of the books.  We used Arches Text Wove paper, walnut ink, Yarka watercolors, salt, alcohol, powdered metallics, and plastic wrap.
This was one paper I didn't use yet, but you get the idea.  Then we used a frame to pick out the "sweet spots" for the front and back covers.
We folded Mohawk Superfine paper, 70 lb. for the text block, and made a Secret Belgian Binding book, rediscovered by Hedi Kyle.

 You can see from this close-up, the secret is in weaving the binding thread around a free-floating spine, linking through the text block stitching.
    For the next book, after applying gesso, we used molding paste or modeling paste to cover the book board, and then textured it with stamps or tools.  When dry, we painted it with acrylic paint.  It is a case binding, because the covers are made separately from the book, and then the text block is glued in.   The second photo shows the text block with "crash" or mull attached for gluing.

For the last book, we made a coptic link stitch, which I've always wanted to learn.    This one was a single needle binding.
When I recover, I plan on another attempt at each book, just to see if I can do it without the expertise of the instructor.   The good news is, Judy is so fabulous that each detail was printed out in clear language with drawn examples, so I can take it a step at a time.
A great time was had by all, thanks to Judy.

What If....?

It is said, the two most creative words in the English language are "What if....?".
While cleaning up the current projects, I decided to play that game on my flower practice sheets instead of throwing them away.   I combined that with calligraphy homework assignments, and came up with the following:

There's nothing so liberating as playing "what if" on all the stuff you're gonna throw away.   Guess I might keep them after all. 

The Desert and it's hidden slot canyons

This post is slow in coming.   I kept hoping my (really good) photographer-family would put their (really good) photos on their blogs first so I could pirate them.   I guess I need to ask Josh's forgiveness for stealing from his.  I'm trusting he won't sue his in-laws for copyright infringements.   (Look HERE for more.  Then you'll know which pictures are his.)  Thanks, Josh.  Maybe when Al posts hers, I can steal some from her?)
We went to the Grand Staircase National Monument over Memorial Day, camping in the desert.  As you may know, the weather here has not cooperated this year.   It jumped from frigid winter to hot summer, bypassing Spring, bringing on flooding this weekend.  They're still skiing at Snowbird until the Fourth of July.   But I digress.   Back to the desert, which was blooming.
We hiked into Peek-A-Boo, Spooky, and Zebra, which are slot canyons.  Then we visited Devil's Garden, and experienced the ferocious winds that carved these formations.  Full force gale winds that day.   On the way home we detoured to Willis Creek, near Kodachrome Basin.    It would be difficult for me to decide which area was the most spectacular.   The only thing that could have made it better is having the Tennessee family there to share in the adventures.  They would have loved it, too.  (And those GIGANTIC marshmallows make really good s'mores!   We'll roast 'em when you get here next month.)

Flowers Again ?

Daily practice, aka new addiction.
Today's lesson was on tulips.  Then I attempted another flower, but didn't like it, so I turned it into tree blossoms.   I'm not sure I'm improving, but I'm having a blast.   Order your Christmas Cards early, LOL.

Learning a Lot, more flowers

Here is what I'm learning:
   It's still always about process, not product.
   There is a big difference between cold-pressed watercolor papers.
   Every brush acts differently, even if they're the same size and kind.
   I use too much pigment and paint, and not enough water.
And the number 1 thing I'm learning?  Painting flowers is addictive.