By admin, on March 23rd, 2012%
 The latest in the Angel/Fairy line, this sweet little fairy’s dress is made out of fabric that has been colored and patterned using Disperse Dyes.
We will be playing and learning more about Disperse Dyes at the June Mini-Camp Disperse Dye class (and there’s still room for you!).
This is a dye process that works on synthetic fabrics only and is a somewhat dry process – no messy dye pots, rinsing or washing!
Using paper prepared with Disperse Dye, lay a piece of newsprint down on your iron board, then next layer the synthetic fabric, a paper stencil and the prepared paper face down. Iron the paper from the back to dye the fabric.
 Disperse Dye paper, a stencil and the results on fabric
 Using a circle template (My circle is about 9" in across - I used a plate and cut mine out of a sheet of plastic) and a rotary cutter, cut out a circle to make the dress.  Using needle and thread, make a running stitch (just stitch in and out) about 1/4" from the edge all around the circle - leaving a tail of thread at the beginning and the end.
Pull the tails of thread and draw up the circle to make a pouch. Tie the two ends together tightly and tie several knots so the “dress” is secure.
Make a beaded spool body – hop over to Kelli Nina Perkins’ blog to see how to make the body by reading this post.
Attach the “dress” to the beaded spool body and the head – see how by reading our previous Ornament a Month post.
By admin, on December 2nd, 2011%
 2 Paper Packs, Somerset Gallery, Leather Journal and Kelli Nina Perkins DVD, Stitch Imagery Theresa C!
Theresa, we will e-mail you directly to confirm that you have won the November Art Camp for Women Goodies Giveaway.
A big THANKS to Theresa and to everyone else who got themselves on our Newsletter list in November.
By admin, on August 21st, 2011%
 Art Camp Aprons waiting for Campers We’re letting out a secret about Art Camp for Women here…shh…one of the goodies you get when you come to Art Camp is your very own hand-dyed apron!!
It’s a great way to protect your clothes, it has 4 roomy pockets to hold all your stuff (mine has lip gloss, my mp3 player and the house phone) and most importantly, it’s luscious.
We think the practical things in our life should also be beautiful when possible.
 Mixing Procion MX dyes to change the apron to a luscious color  Hand-dyed aprons batching overnight  After batching overnight, each apron is rinsed by hand before going into the washing machine
These gorgeous aprons start out as plain, boring and white. We mix Procion MX dyes and use little buckets to hold the aprons while they “batch” overnight. Batching is a process where the dye distributes itself through the fabric and chemically bonds to the fibers of the fabric.
After batching overnight, each apron is rinsed by hand to remove most of the dye and then heads off to the washer and dryer. Then onto the ironing board and sewing machine for an Art Camp for Women logo.
My favorite fabric dyeing book is “Color by Accident” by Ann Johnston.
Each apron gets hands-on special treatment, just like our Campers do when they come to Art Camp for Women! You won’t receive a hand-dyed aprons at the “big-box” retreats.
 Rinsed aprons waiting to go into the washer  Piles of aprons fresh out of the dryer 
By admin, on January 19th, 2011%
| Lori Wostl, Art Journalist
Stop for a moment and think of the art you are already drawn to and try to isolate a short list of what it is in each piece that attracts you. Do the same things capture you from one artist to the next?
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| Sky’s the Limit-the Art of Nancy Dunlop Cawdry by Kim Hermanson. Look at the art of others for inspiration |
Someone recently asked me where I came up with my ideas and how did I put my own ‘signature’ on my visual art. This is a really good, good question.
Since I was introduced to Art Journaling in 2006, I have read numerous books, taken classes and sucked up hours worth of You Tube, looking for new methods and techniques.
Right now I’m looking at the art around me and asking what is it about this piece that draws me to it in the first place. Is it the tone and brilliance of the colors? Is it the mood the colors evoke? Is it the combination of the colors? Is it the way the artist uses ordinary shapes to make wild and unusual borders? Is it all of those things? Can you include any of that in some way into the next piece you do? From these questions you will begin to build your short list. Read more
Finding Inspiration without Breaking the Bank!
Try borrowing art books from your library and if there is an artist that your library doesn’t carry, they can usually find something in the inter-library lending program.
Many cities have a monthly free day at the art museum. While it may be a zoo on the lower levels where the elementary kid activities are, generally the upper levels and the contemporary art displays are quiet enough. AND visiting collections often are accompanied with affordable postcards of the artist’s work.
Also if your city or city galleries host a “First Night,” or a “First Thursday..”,or which ever night they choose, go! Not only will you be exposed to contemporary, local art, you will meet other people interested in art.
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| Previewed – Now I will be saving up to buy it! |
The book pictured here, Sky’s the Limit, costs around $70.00 used. My library got it from a library in Cody, Wyoming for me to preview. It is stuffed with visual loot far beyond the Western theme on the front. Now that I know that, I will be saving up my pennies to buy it and can’t wait until it is part of my personal inspiration library.
While I am far from having that recognizable “quirk to my work,” I can see that it is developing and most of it comes from my short list of what in art draws me to it.
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When asked “What were your favorite parts of camp?” Lenora, October 2010 Said “My coaching session with Lori W.”
By admin, on January 18th, 2011%
 A light and delicious dessert - maybe to serve when the art club is over! Ingredients:
1 quart mixed berries (preferable fresh)
8 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 tblsp grated lemon zest
1 cup heavy cream
4 egg whites
Mint for garnish
Method:
If using fresh berries, you may want to put 1/2 into serving bowls before pouring over the mousse, making sure berries are dry, reserving some for garnish. If using frozen berries, thaw and drain them and put them on top of mousse when serving.
1. To make the mousse, in a bowl placed over a saucepan of gently simmering water, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice and zest. Cook this mixture until thickened.
2. Remove from the heat and let cool. Then fold in the cream, which you have beaten until it forms soft peaks. Then beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry and fold this into the lemon mixture.
3. Chill until ready to serve. Garnish with berries and fresh mint.
When asked, “What were your favorite parts?” Sherry, August 2010 responded, “Being totally taken care of – walks, field trips and the food was wonderful and healthy with just the right amount of chocolate thrown in.”
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Blogging with Beth is coming to Mini Camp June 4-7, 2012
Companies we love and use!
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Join us in June 2012 for Bookmaking with Carol Sloan!
Join us in October 2012 for Camp with Kelli Nina Perkins!!
Join us in October 2012 for Carla Sonheim!
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