Tuesday, February 9, 2010

It SNOWED!

Here in Piedmont NC we rarely get snow. Ice, sometimes, but even that comes around only once in a while (thankfully, because it usually knocks out the power). Oh, but THIS year, we got SNOW! Not just once, but so far, twice! And not just the two-flakes-are-falling-quick-run-buy-bread-and-milk kind of snow, but honest-to-goodness-cover-the-ground-and-then-some kind of snow. Look at my driveway...Beautiful!!
(OK, I know my northern friends are experiencing SNOOOW, so this will not look like much. My heart goes out to you...some is good, but 2'+ is too much!! I used to live in the DC area and I can't imagine!)

Anyway, we had a blast sledding and watching the dogs romp about. We took a walk under the full moon which lit up the night, casting shadows of the trees. The boys even enjoyed an outdoor breakfast of hot cinnamon rolls and cocoa. And then...


I dyed.

I'll admit, when I first saw that technique in Quilting Arts I didn't give it much thought. Looked fun, but at the time it was published snow was not a consideration here. However, being inspired by those on the QA list who had tried it, I thought I might as well take advantage of this rare appearance here. And it was FUN!

I pre-soaked my scoured fabric in soda ash solution, then bunched it up in dishpan tubs, about a yard per tub. While the fabric was soaking I prepared my dyes (Procion). I like to use squirt bottles which I get at my local beauty supply store. Then I scooped up snow from the driveway, covering the fabric almost to the rim of the tubs and squirted the dye across the snow.


(I'm sure my neighbors were wondering...though they should be used to my driveway productions by now - rust dyeing, painting giant Hokie birds...)

I let it sit in the garage for a while, then moved it inside the studio so it could start melting...

Here it is all melted...pretty! I let it sit overnight to batch then did the rinse, repeat, and hot water / Synthrapol wash and....


TaaDaaa!

I'm thinking it might be OK if it snows again...just a little! :)

19 comments:

Linda Zimmerman said...

so pretty! in ct it is suppose to snow tomorrow night and i am getting ready to snow dye!! i cannot wait!

Katherine McNeese said...

First and last ones are my favs. Good job!
Katherine
kmcneese@suddenlnik.net

Sherryl said...

Very nice Karen. Looks like you had fun.. I still don't miss the snow though! Ha.

Norma Schlager said...

Great results! We're expecting-10 - 12 inches here in CT tomorrow. Perhaps I should try it.

Unknown said...

Karen, these are fabulous!! It's snowing cats and dogs here in northern Illinois right now, up to 13" expected and I have gotten two calls from friends this morning blaming me for all the snow! Yes, I do like to snow dye, but I can make do with a couple inches! Oh well, I'm headed off to start some trays - I may just stick them outside and let the heavens fill them up for me. Hope you get some more snow - it's addicting!!

Beth
QuiltersStitchTogether

Tina said...

Karen, Beautiful! I would like to know where you found the instructions for this. would you share?
Tina
tinaesyr@verizon.net

Nancy said...

Very nice results! I may have to give this technique a try!

Anonymous said...

Stunning results. Love the fractured look...luminescent.

Roberta Ranney said...

These turned out beautifully. You've got to keep your neighbors guessing!

Robin in WNC said...

Karen,
I too read the article in Quilting Arts and said I would not get to try it since we have so little snow. But it did snow, 8" the last go round and I dyed a lovely piece. If we get more snow this weekend I am going to do it again.
Robin

Judy Zoelzer Levine said...

Love the results. What color(s) did you use on the last one? I love how the fushia and brown separate.

Jenny Williams said...

Karen - love this. Wish I had been able to do it with you. It's all fabulous, though I totally covet the orange! The raspberry looking is great, too. Wow. I'm impressed!
Jenny

Unknown said...

These are beautiful! How nice that you were able to do this. We're getting socked right now--30 hours of snowfall But, I have my fabric soaking and will be snow dyeing once again. Such fun!!

Karen Newman Fridy said...

Thanks everyone! It was a lot of fun...hopefully we'll get another snow this year so I can do it again.

Judy - the color on that one is #16 Maroon from Dharma

Vivian said...

Really fantastic results!

LauraQuilts said...

Oh, Wow, Karen!! Those are fabulous. I might suggest a snow making machine - they have 'em at ski resorts! Hahahahahahahhahahahaha.

Karen Newman Fridy said...

LOL Laura!! I'm thinking about asking Mrs. Goodneedle and Nane to ship me some from the ski resort... ;)

Louise in SW Saskatchewan said...

Wow! Amazing results!! You are making me very anxious to get on with my own snow dyeing. I am making myself wait until I have finished an exhibit piece due this month tho. Fortunately for me we will likely have, and be getting more, snow for the next month or two. (I live in Saskatchewan Canada).

Your colour combinations are just lovely!!

Justiann said...

And I had been complaining about the snow! There's an up side!