More resist

As I began creating this post, I was reminded of something Terri Kahrs at Pringle Hill Studio wrote citing another blogger's thoughts. Terri reminded me that these blog posts take lots of time, from creating the art (in this case a fabric tutorial), to (at least in my case) taking photos every step of the way, to documenting the photos, then copying them to this blog, and finally writing a synopsis of the project photos. That may be one of the reasons I have been offline so much lately. I just can't get it all done quickly enough and still maintain a life outside this computer.

Luckily this week, I had a small consulting job, but that took me away from my true love, which is art. Now don't get me wrong. I love consulting, but I love art more, something I never expected when I got my final degree. I know this isn't a regular lead-in to a blog post, but I just had to share, which may be TMI for some of you (grin) and it's the only lead-in I have. I guess it's probably time to start this latest tutorial, which is once again a fabric resist technique. Although not finished, I still wanted to share it with my dear readers and followers.


Supplies from back left clockwise:

Bucket of water
Empty bucket for mixing filled with:
Squeegee
Measuring cup
Spoon for stirring
Flour for crafts
Cream of Wheat
Various sheets torn to a manageable size
Low tack masking tape
Plastic to cover table

(Please note the mug in the background is filled with French Roast coffee and only for the artist, not part of the supplies)


I began by taping a piece of bed sheet to the plastic covering. I wanted to try a resist using Cream of Wheat, something I was unable to do the last time I created resists. Also be aware, although these are kitchen items, do NOT (I REPEAT, do not) use them for food preparation in the future. That includes the utensils as well as the food product.


I began with one cup of Cream of Wheat to which


I added one cup of water. I thought the formula was too watery, so


I added more Cream of Wheat: two more cups, even!


The Cream of Wheat was unlike anything else, and way, way, way too thick.


When I tried to lift the fabric, much of the Cream of Wheat fell into the middle of the fabric. I finally managed to pick it up, losing huge blobs of Cream of Wheat along the way to the clothes line, some of which fell all over my shoes.


You can see not a whole lot of the Cream of Wheat stayed on the fabric once I got it on the line.


Next, I tried thinning the Cream of Wheat down with more water, which didn't help much because


the second fabric was not much better covered once I got it to the clothes line and pinned.


Thankfully by this time, I was out of Cream of Wheat, much of which was now dotting the grass near or under the fabric on my clothes line. That's when I decided to revert to my old favorite: flour. I made a large batch of it, probably too large for the heat of the day this was turning into.


I began with a little stamping with the aid of my 1 cup measuring cup.


I dribbled the flour/water mix on the rest of the pieces using my wooden spoon. I left these on the table because I didn't want to disturb or dribble them. It was a very windy day, and I had already pinned one piece on the clothes line. The wind promptly caught it, and whipped flour/water mix in my face. Not a pretty sight, and not one you would have wanted to see, either!


I didn't take photos of coloring these, since you saw how I colored them when I made my Resist Part 2 before. This time I had to color the pieces in the house, because it was raining, and continued to rain for another two days.


I used every color of Staz-on Reinker I own, including black. Now I must wait until it's safe to water my veggie garden again, then I will turn the garden hose on these to remove the flour and Cream of Wheat. I promise, I will NOT be making any more resists using Cream of Wheat. It is very messy, leaves little bits and pieces everywhere it touches, and creates lots of problems. I'll be glad when it's washed out.


Of course, Bleubeard had to be curious after I laid these fabric swatches on the floor. Although his curiosity was strong, his desire to be next to me was stronger. I have no idea why, but lately he's been clinging to me. And that's probably not the way to END a blog post, either, but that's all I have for today!

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