Sharpie Marker Tie-Dye Tutorial

Ok folks, as promised, here's a quick tutorial on how to tie-dye using sharpie markers. We did this at Craft Social Workshop last week and it was a blast! Tons of colors and great ideas... it's always fun to see what crafty people come up with when you show them a new technique and then shut up. Usually the results are way cooler than if you tell them what they should create. So here's the technique:

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
• Sharpie markers
• 100% white cotton tshirts, socks, undies, etc
• rubber bands
• a jar
• eyedropper
• 91% Isopropyl alcohol (at the drug store)

WHAT TO DO:
This is so easy that it actually makes a great kids craft and is much quicker than regular tie-dye. Just be sure to keep the windows open. Place the jar inside the shirt and position the top where you'd like the dye to go. Secure it with a rubber band around the edge. Now comes the fun part, but don't picnic once you've started the process (aka - don't take your time, be a bit speedy). Using the sharpies, draw dots, lines, etc on the fabric. Fill your eyedropper with alcohol and begin dropping in the middle of the circle. I usually start with approx 10 - 15 drops and then see if it needs more. As the marker reacts to the alcohol, it begins to bleed or "dye". The colors will blend together and will dye up to the rubber band edge. You can do one big design or go crazy and dye the whole item. There's no right or wrong! The really cool part is that the "dye" dries very quickly so no 24 hour wait. And, because sharpie is permanent, there's no need to worry about dye bleeding in the washer, yay! Enjoy!

-HAPPY COLORFUL TIE-DYE-

Color Wonder!

It's late and my hands are covered in Sharpie marker. And not just regular old black Sharpie, but a rainbow of color goodness! I've been practicing for tomorrow's Craft Social Workshop and having way too good of a time. Here's a sneak peak at what I'm teaching - "Sharpie tie-dyed undies". If you're in Chattanooga, here's more info. Tutorial to follow shortly... yay!

-HAPPY UNDIES, HAPPY LIFE-

Oh My Whiteness!

I am a huge fan of white! Seriously, it has to be one of the best colors out there for it's sheer power to illuminate other colors. Plus it has the honor of being the combination of all colors at once. Considering that and many other things (like the fact that it's the hue of vanilla ice-cream) it's a pretty understated champion of the spectrum. I'm always trying to convince clients that it's well worth including more "white space".

With all that said, white seems to be especially sentimental the past few days. For instance, my favorite coffee mug that welcomes each day with me had a fight with the dishwasher and got chipped - good thing I have one of these from Anthropologie as a newly beloved. Then, I finally tackled a few things in the dining room. Newly rescued from the attic and bleached curtains went up, an old sideboard that's been 4 different colors was painted charcoal and white knobs added, and I hung a pair of photos that my dad took in art school. All good and exciting.

Then came the crib. Ugh. Little McB climbs everything and so it's time for a big boy bed upgrade. Well, I was excited until I realized that the crib is going for good. We have a great home for it, but after 2 babies sleeping in it, it's hard not to be sentimental. Anyway, the sight of McB proudly cuddled in his very own bunkbed makes it all worth it. And now I have big plans for a surprise "extreme makeover" of the kids room one day soon. I can't wait!! Happy planning!

-HAPPPYWHITEWONDERFULS-

The Quest for Green

Every year around this time I get the itch to start gardening again... and it's always a painfully long wait til Spring! This year is extra tough because I'm looking out my kitchen window at a brand new garden that's begging to be dug in. So, while I wait and plan, I'm on a quest for a little green along the way. For some reason each little bit makes me happy!

In case you're wondering, the photo of brown stickie-things is actually a box of iris rhizomes that my mom rescued for me from her garden Connecticut. They were split from ones in my old garden and I can't wait to plant them!!

- HAPPY DAYS OF GREEN TO COME -

Voice of Color

Ok, it's midnight and I should be sleeping but had to share a little something fun before I snooze... while I was trying to find the link to my new favorite app (which I'm now saving to share later), I stumbled upon this color sense game. It's part of Pittsburgh Paints "Voice of Color" campaign. I've presented many branding tests to clients over the years and I'm a sucker for a well thought out design quiz. They really tackled the emotional side of color very well. Go take the test - it'll make you think. I'm a "Pop Art". Means I like vibrant, modern, innovative color combinations. Little do they know!! Oh and I need a "creative office with dynamic color". Umm, yes please!

-HAPPY VIBRANT TEST-

Crafty Kids - Glitter Suncatcher!

There are few words that strike more fear in a mom's heart than "glitter glue". It looks so innocent and sparkly, but it has a way of sticking to every surface other than paper! Well, this year Santa generously brought MG a mega 16 pack of glittery glueiness. I figured there must be a fun project where she could squeeze out all the glue she likes with less chance of an "accident". So here it is - the upcycled glitter suncatcher!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
• A clear lid (we used one from Pringles)
• Glitter glue
• A piece of ribbon or yarn
• Tape or a glue gun
• A suction cup (nice but not necessary)

WHAT TO DO:
I covered the table with paper towel and let MG squeeze all the glue she liked into the lid. She, of course, wanted it to be "mermaid colors". You could encourage your little one to make "stained glass", a picture of themselves or they could make a bunch of solid color lids to create a rainbow. Then let the glue dry overnight. Once dry, glue or tape a ribbon loop to the back of the lid. It's now ready to hang in the window using the suction cup. If you don't have one, just tape it up. And there you have it, glitter glue success! Very simple, lots of sparkle and they look really pretty when they're hung up. Plus MG was beyond happy. Yay!!

-HAPPY GLITTER EXTRAVAGANZA-

Number 22 Wristlets Pattern!

As promised, here's a little bit of what happened on snow day two... Aside from watching the crazy kayakers go down our road at mach speed, I also had a moment to whip up a quick knitting pattern. It's VERY easy and super fast for those of you who are looking for a quick fix or a way to use up one skein of yarn that you've been saving. Plus it's the ultimate alternative to the dreaded scarf as a beginner project. So, introducing the Number 22 Wristlets - ta da!! They're inspired by this slouch hat that I found on Ravelry.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
• Size 11 needles
• Super Bulky yarn (1 skein)

Cast on 22 stitches. Knit 22 rows garter stitch. Cast off. Stitch together the cast on and cast off rows, leaving a hole for your thumb. Done!

For those of you in the Chattanooga area, please come hang at Craft Social Workshop on Jan 25th at 7:30pm. I'm starting a knitting series featuring the hat and wristlets. All welcome, more details here.

-HAPPY WARM WRISTS-