Monday, July 16, 2012

Summer of Color: Watermelon Ice

Although this Summer of Color with Kristin from Twinkle, Twinkle has been so much fun, it is now time to submit the final entry. Since I've been on this fabric dyeing kick, I thought I would also make this final color entry, called Watermelon Ice using Staz-on and 91% alcohol, just like I have dyed the last three quiltlets. However, since this is our final visit, I thought I would show you how I made it.


Early one morning last week, I started playing with various surface dye techniques. The water on the left side of the photo is from another project, and that grungy coffee mug just barely showing on the right is to sustain me. They are not part of the supplies I used.

Supplies from back left clockwise:
*Staz-on reinkers
91% Isopropyl alcohol (also called rubbing alcohol, but do not use 70%)
Foam brush (preferred)
Mixing containers
Fabric of your choice (I used an old tablecloth)

*You must use a waterproof ink for this. Do not use color washes, or dye, distress, or pigment ink. I use Staz-on brand. I suspect there are others, but this is the brand I use exclusively. And I have absolutely NO affiliation with the company, nor am I compensated to say this.

I began by mixing 8-10 drops of Pumpkin Staz-on into the container, to which I then added the alcohol.


Next came Cherry Pink,


Blazing Red, and finally


Mustard.


I tried coloring some leftover elastic black, but I never got the look I was going for.


It didn't take long for either piece to quickly dry in the hot summer sun. After all, alcohol dries faster than water. When dry, I realized that elastic I tried to dye black was not going to work.


To digress a bit, more than a few years ago, a swapper friend sent me a Xylene Blending Pen. I've only used it a few times, not even once for every year I've had it. I've always been told you MUST use new toner copies to get a good transfer with this pen. However, I've been getting rid of a few grad school (master's level) files and folders, but remembered I had a few pages I had not yet shredded. You must remember, these pages were copied sometime between 1989 and 1991 while I was getting my Master's Degree (before I moved to Wichita). So much for worrying about old toner. You can see this toner was still active.


First, I positioned the paper face down in the area I wanted to transfer, then saturated the paper with the blending pen. Because I have no grip, I used the blending pen to press onto the wet page to make sure the Xylene soaked image made its way to the fabric. And please don't ask where you can buy one of these pens, because I would have to do an internet search, just like you.


Here is the finished front. I used an old watermelon seed packet that still had watermelon seeds in it. I encased it under laminate, which is more obvious than what showed last week under the scanner. This may be because several of the seeds moved as I was adhering the sticky laminate. As you can see, I even sewed through a couple of watermelon seeds.


For the back, I added a bit of the same colored lace from the front and added my name.


After I got to looking at the scan while I was uploading the images, I was quite disappointed and felt it needed something more. So, I added "Summer" to the quiltlet using a stencil. Now I hope it's finished!

I would like to thank Kristin for this challenge. I am a bit saddened that this is the final week, but I look forward to the next Summer of Color.

______________________

37 thoughtful remarks:

...the yorkshire fox... said...

...this is absolutely stunning Elizabeth...you have captured this final colour theme with style and panashe! loVe your tutorial too, great on the transfere, something i've not tried but won't feel afraid now, great stitchery (as always) this final piece is a luscious attention grabber & I loVe it...Mel :)
Your creativity is amazing Elizabeth...xxxx & Bleubeard of course :)

Marja's Stamp Addiction en Marja's Creativity said...

This is brilliant work Elizabeth. What a great art. Thanks for your tutorial, it is so lovely and marvelous work.
Lovely greet
Marja

BJ said...

You never cease to amaze me Elizabeth - we don't seem to get any sun here so no going outside to get messy for me! Wondering now what degree/masters you did with that brain picture - Biology, Psychology?? Anyway your quiltlet is lovely (expecially the brain bits!! - LOL) And the watermelon packet and seeds excellent! BJ

Diana Taylor said...

Wow, what stunning work - I love the textures and images - you have wonderful eye for detail. Just beautiful.

Valerie-Jael said...

This is really lovely, I admire your patience and sewing techniques, too - great stuff! Valerie

Fars Datter said...

This is so great and heartwarming work! I love it!!! :)

Diane said...

Wonderful Elizabeth!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Thank you for generously sharing your technique of how you made this--I think this one is my favorite! I know I probably say that a lot, but I am always in awe of your work. Just love the watermelon seeds!

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Fantastically creative! :) Love how it came out.

Dianne said...

I like this very much! Love the color! I might have to try one of those pens!

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful ~ so creative and functional as well ~ excellent ~~ thanks, ^_^ (A Creative Harbor) on Blogger

Darla said...

Wonderful Watermelon. I'm sorry to hear the color challenge is over too as I have enjoyed following along as you create a colorful something - and give tutorials.

Darla

bellefrogworks said...

Beautiful bag - I would be proud to carry it anywhere - love the details.

Linda Kunsman said...

This is so beautiful Elizabeth! Thank you for sharing your fabric dying technique-I happen to love the Staz-On inks myself and now I will try them on fabric like this :)

Rebeca Trevino said...

Elizabeth - this color is yummy! and the finished piece is beautiful.

Dianne said...

This quiltlet is gorgeous! love the color produced by the technique you explained...and the seed packet just makes it pop. a 'cool' piece for a hot summer...

Anonymous said...

wow, so much detail and time spent creating this wonderful piece!! thanks for taking us through how you made it - it looks beautiful!

Shahrul Niza said...

What a great tutorial!. LOVE how the quiltlet turned out, gorgeous red and the watermelon package & the seeds are the best part of it :). TFS!. Hugs.

Terrie said...

I love this quiltlet...it might be my favorite of your group. The colors are SO pretty and blended so nicely and the watermelon packet is genius. A great way to end this challenge!

Terrie said...

BTW, thanks for the kind comments about my son - I tried to respond to everyone personally, but since your email isn't working, I'll just do a quick thank you here. THANKS!!

Virginia said...

Oh that's fantastic, loving how the colours turned out - simply perfect!

Kristin said...

xo!

scarlett said...

Thanks for the process photos, this project turned out great!

Jo Murray said...

Now that's creative!!! Thanks for all the info... an awesome project.

Joanna said...

SO beautiful, thank you for sharing the process too :o)

SandeeNC said...

Awesome Elizabeth, you finished the Summer of Color Challenge in style! I think this one is my favorite too! Hope your having a wonderful day! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

~*~Patty S said...

Back from a long weekend visiting our son before he moves to Denver this week...trying to play catch up :)

It is always fun to see your creative process E and you describe it so well...you got great results with this piece...Love all of the details and of course your background is super!

The ice cream challenge has been fun to follow...now I am hungry for watermelon and I LOVE ice cream!

you had asked about my monoprinting and how I got the fan shape on lots of my prints...a piece of dollar store gold plastic placemat is in the first supply photo here

http://wp.me/p7P3R-caX

...I must go back and buy another, do you need one? I would be happy to pick up another...just let me know

It is my favorite printing tool at the moment.

I just washed up after doing another slew of fabric and paper monoprints...I've started and can't stop :)

My second plates are thicker than my first which should make them hold up better
I cannot thank you enough for the tip about reheating the plate...just brilliant!!!

Many Thanks Elizabeth!
oxo

Lynn Cohen said...

Wonderful work of art on hand dyed fabric...very watermelony too. Cute when done. Now how much exactly does Blue Beard do on these creations?

Netty said...

Thank you for showing the process, loved that and the wonderful results. Annette x

denthe said...

Oh wow, this is awesome! Thanks for showing how you did it! Is this washable?

Tracey FK said...

wow... you have put in soooo much work into this and thanks for showing us how you created it... so gorgeous... I am sort of speechless with how wonderful that fabric is... and the finished product is just as amazing...xx

Carolyn Dube said...

WON-DER-FUL! This is amazing! You are so creative!!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tutorial. I love playing with ink on fabric and seeing where it leads. Your outcome is fantastic and we all need some watermelon ice in the heat. xox

sugar Creek said...

I love this!!! I'm going to have to try that!

Rita said...

Beautiful!! You are so creative! :)

Annie Claxton said...

Mouthwateringly gorgeous colours! Love all the textures

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your process,I found it really interesting. I love what the final product looks like!