It's always intimidating when I decide to try something new but I wanted to share with you some of the process.  I thought I would try to discharge designs into some dyes, more specifically... a band logo for an upcoming concert.  As a side note, these shirts are for personal use. Unless at some point in time I become ambitious enough to get permission from their management to use the logo, I will not sell these... sorry.
I just wanted to prove nothing goes as planned the first time around... poor, poor raggedy, practice "I've had everything done to me shirt".  Using a stencil I first applied some discharge paste.  Problem #1... it bleeds under the stencil.  Needless to say I got a less than perfect result.  I even had to outline it in sharpie. Problem # 2... it doesn't capture the detail in the design.  It now makes a great apron for Sydney. So instead of bleeding stencils I'm trying my hand at silkscreening the discharge paste through the design. I'm really excited to see what comes out of it.  First order to see if I can still actually draw. So here's my first palm tree since decorating paper shopping bag book covers with band names, hearts and palm trees in high school. 

Using the drawing fluid method I found online and several online videos from the amazing Catspitproductions, and the silk screening kit I bought from Dharma Trading Company I thought I'd give it a try.  So far I'm working on the screen painting the designs I'm going to try first with the drawing fluid. Not a bad palm tree if I do say so myself.  I'm kind of an impatient person so the drying time for these is killing me.  After the drawing fluid is dry, the screen is covered with a filler fluid to block the holes in the screen.  After some more drying *taps foot impatiently* I'll wash it off and we should have a pretty palm negative! Maybe, hopefully, pretty please *fingers crossed*  When I decide whether this is something I want to continue with I may try the photo emulsion method for screen transfers but trial and error with this seems a lot less frustrating! I guess I'll wash it off and see what happens!

Really... again? Yes... again...

One of the problems I find with my creative muse is that it fizzles, and when it fizzles we're talkin lights out.  Well, amid all the kids activities and working and well... life... I've found a little incentive to start dabbling in a little color.  He's gonna kill me for this one but I'll have to credit some of my creativity to my minstrel, dearest friend, guitar GOD *giggles*, and music guru Darrell Barkley.  You see, music is my muse.  I can't create without groovin tunes and thanks to my favorite tie dye customer, I now have my musical inspiration.  I'm making lots of new stuff, listing some old stuff and gettin my groove on with the blazing funk of 311.  Thank you D for your inspiration and leading me to some of the best music around *MWAH*  Keep him in happy colors and the smile is sure to follow.

So this fall I'm working on some long sleeve adult and kids t's. Also keep your eyes open for some unusual rag quilts and baby blankets for that special rocker baby!

Bows will be back as soon as I get another spare moment, but that's a whole different story!
In the mean time, if you don't know them you should... I'm talkin 311.  A total fusion of funk, reggae, rock, and the happiest vibe you can feel through music.  Please check them out and groove a little with me

~Peace,

http://www.311.com/

Where you been chicken little?

So you ask, where ya been? What 'cha been up to? Well the answer is... not a lot! Summer came to a close. We visited Galveston before the hurricane, started school, madly made many Halloween costumes, plunged into the holiday season and well, here we are. I've not made much new, but have caught up on my reading. Thank you Charlaine Harris for a lovely distraction! Ms. Harris is the inspiration behind HBO's True Blood and I've devoured the Southern Vampire series and await may for it's next installment. Of course it's also awakened my love of all things dark and dare I say, Vampire. So I've also sunk my teeth (ugh, that's bad) into books I've loved and not read in many, many years. I'd forgotten the love I had for the Vampire Chronicles but have rediscovered my favorites in Marius and Armand, and of course the brat prince himself Lestat. Of course I had to explain to my daughter that Edward Cullen is not the 'original' Vampire... albeit quite a charming one. So, in that... I present to you her Halloween costume. Charmed I'm sure! Well what better for a Goth, Punk, Princess, Vampire than custom tie dye and tutus? I thing nothing, but what's a mom to say! And not to be out done, the Oh So Sweet... Candy Corn Princess in her glory. These were the last creations until quite recently. I've been making some baby quilts and Valentines is coming upon us quickly. Before you know it we will be declaring that once again the year has flown by us too fast. I look forward to a productive year, filled with family and friends. Hope yours is as well.

Raggedy Top Boutique Embellished Flip Flops!

When the snow melts and the ice thaws... the flip flops come out. I wear them everywhere, anytime... except in the snow. So what, I'm a wimp. I am flip flop CRAZY! I have wedge ones, I have super flat, ultra thin ones. I have some that are plain, I have some that are funky. I ordered some little girls elastic flip flops that are so cool. Walking with children, who are wearing flip flops is a pain! Who knew it took so much to keep shoes on your feet. These have the elastic strap so they won't fall off. Originally, I was going to embellish them with ribbon. I had a ton of extra rayon laying around from making scrunchies and had a light bulb moment. The Raggedy Top Flop was born. These are great fun to dye and to make. Just like my dyes, each flip flop takes on a life of its own. They are so unique, no 2 flip flops are alike. So, I've listed these on Etsy for your flip flopping pleasure. Summer is in full swing, and you can never have enough flippity flops... especially tie dyed Raggedy Top Flops!

For those who are crafty, and have time on their hands I'm also offering dyed, pre-cut, fabric strips to embellish your own flip flops. Choose from :
jade/brown
pink/brown
rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
lime/hot pink
Shades of Blue (blues and purples)
Shades of Red (reds, yellows and oranges)
Shades of Pink
I will also provide detailed instructions on making your own Raggedy Top Flops. They are so easy, anyone who can tie a knot can do them. If there's a color combo you want, but don't see it, convo me through Etsy and I can make it happen for you!

Celebrating the 4th of July!

Laurie contacted me through eBay after bidding on one of my July 4th boys t's. Ella needed a sundress to match her brother! Laurie say's it was a "picture perfect, Norman Rockwell kind of day" and she sent me the pictures to prove it. I just love small town America and those GREAT main street parades. You can't get stuff like this in a big city. The parks are filled with people you know, the ones you see everyday at the grocery store and the post office.
Ella is the same age as my youngest. It was a day full of excitement and anticipation here too. We have pretty liberal fireworks regulations so there was plenty of noise all day long. As dusk approached, the lightning bugs came out... just before the real fireworks started!

Laurie said Ella and Garrett played at their city park, listening to music and playing games. They also had a duck entered in the Duck Derby. Unfortunately after a stellar start, the 'jeweled' duck finished 2nd to last... Better luck next year guys! The day ended with a scavenger hunt in the woods. Can you say FUN! Man, I miss lazy summer days. You know the ones, before responsibility and adulthood shackles you with a full time job and mortgage. Laurie and her family are on vacation this week, having a wonderful time I'm sure! Thank you Laurie for sharing your pictures with me. I LOVE to see my dyes having so much fun on such cute kids!
Aside from the brisket that got a little crispy on the outside while I was busy taking a shower, and the mosquitoes that decided to have their own July 4th picnic on the backs of my legs, we had a blast too. I hope you and yours are healthy and happy this Independance day weekend!

I'm gonna figure this out if it kills me!

Ok, so I don't really want it to kill me but... Well, I need to just dive in and make a few mistakes and things will eventually work out if they are meant to right. That's the idealist in me talking! That being said I wanted to show off a couple of my latest creations. I love a challenge! I was contacted by a mom who wanted some fantastic bows to complement her daughters tie dye. This is a special occasion... your 2nd birthday only comes once you know. I custom dyed some rayon to match the colors in the dress and constructed the ribbon for these Stacked Layer Boutique Bows. The Korkers were made to match and are actually separate bows. The tights will be fabulous with those tie dyed Converse mom showed me too! I'm honored to create something for such a special 2 year old! I can't wait to see pictures!

So I thought it time for a little self promotion.  In addition to chasing the kids around, enjoying the sun and yes.... uhhum... the public pool (it's not as bad as you would think once the camp kids leave), I've actually had a little time to do some dying.  You can me out on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/people/KashmirMoonCreations