Saturday, February 26, 2011

A Craft-Licious Day

Yesterday started out fantastic! I found yardage of one of my favorite wools that I didn't even remember hoarding!!! It was like that feeling you get finding money in your winter coat pocket. So what do you think I did with it?
 I hacked it up of course!



Friday, February 25, 2011

Saundra of Woodland Junction Shares

Saundra of Woodland Junction is one of those people you immediatly "connect" with. 
She always has the most beautiful hooked rugs on her frame to show and this week she shared how to "bleed" wool or basically dye wool without any dyes.


My personal faves of rugs hooked by Saundra: 
A Magdalelna hooked by Saundra 

 Saundra is relatively new to blogging and I am sure she and Shadow would love to hear from you. You can visit her blog at this link

Monday, February 21, 2011

Dye wool With Kool-Aid - Kids can do it!

Heavens to Betsy

~DYEING WOOL WITH KOOL-AID~

Are the children home for Febuary break and

All Cooped Up With Nothing To Do?
When you go to the Grocery store be sure to pick up some
UN-SWEETENED Kool-Aid!
Kool-Aid can be used (safely) to dye wool.

Although you can use it to dye other fabrics such as cotton, Wool takes dyes easier.

This process is safe, eco friendly, requires no special equiptment and because Kool-Aid is a food dye, It will not contaminate any of your kitchen spoons or pots.

You can safely expect Cherry will give red, Grape will give Purple, Orange will produce Orange, Lemonade to produce a yellow, Blue Rasberry for a Blue and so on. For A more subtle look try overdying other colors than just white or Natural. If you place a blue over a yellow, The result should be green. A Blue over a red should produce a Purple. A Red dye over a yellow will give an Orange.

~ALL dyes are subject to different results due to a variety of reasons ( My water is different from someones in say Texas, The Climate, The fabric and so on)

So if your planning a project and it all needs to be the same color, My suggestion would be to do it all at one time.
~Heavens to Betsy Natural for overdying~

INSTRUCTIONS:
If you want quick results and are comfortable with using the oven or stove top skip down to Stove/Oven method


For a mottled or tie dye effect, Ignore this first step
Soak your wool for a good 20 minutes in cool water - This will help the fibers take the dye quicker and more evenly.
While you are doing this, Now may be a good time to lay newspaper or old sheets around your work area/Counter just in case and have the wee ones change into some play clothes.
Gathering your Dyes:

I am going to take you through a few different options, With heat and without.

The amount of Kool-Aid needed is subject to how much fabric you are intending to use, The process you choose and the fabric. Generally speaking~ I would say one package for a quarter yard. You can also use food coloring to add more pop! If you would like.
~Adding white vinegar to your mixture of water and Kool-Aid will help the fabric take the dye.~
Shameless plug for our Natural, Overdyeing wool:

Without Heat (Sunshine method)

In a large plastic ziploc baggie add water and Kool-Aid - Enough to cover your fabric ( you can also add a small amount of white vinegar to help the fabric take the dye). Add fabric then zip it closed. Play squish the fabric until you are afraid the bag is going to rip :-) Place in the sunshine for several hours (depends on how much sunshine you are getting that day and how hot it is).

Allow the bag and wool to cool, Then Rinse in cool water and remove excess water. Air dry or place in the dryer ( If you are fearless, Although the dye should be completly set, I wouldn't put it in with your favorite shirt ).


Easter egg / Tie dye method:

Place water, Kool-Aid and a good splash of white vinegar in a few dishes, Containers, Pots whatever you have available. Dip dishes make an excellent choice as you can have small amount of different dyes in each section and rotate the fabric.

Arrange the fabric so that the some of the wool is in one container and the rest in a different container. Rotate the wool to get all fabric saturated during the course of the day.

When you are happy with the results, Rinse the wool with cool water and dry or to further "set" your dye you can place the wool into the stove for 10 - 15 minutes on 150-200 degrees.

Stove/Oven method
two different methods:

Place your Kool-Aid, Water and some vinegar into a saucepan if using the stovetop or a pan if using the oven.

~Again, There is no exact formula it is based on how much fabric, What type of fabric and how much mottling you desire. The fabric is going to be more mottled if the water doesn't cover it all.~

Turn on the heat! and be amazed at how you can see your wool becoming more gorgeous! Your water will become clearer as the wool soaks it up.

Fiddle with your fabric using a long wooden spoon, So that it takes on the desired color and effect. Then Carefully rinse your wool with cool water and dry.



OVEN METHOD:

Artists beware, May be addictive!
Pre-Heat oven to 200-250 degrees. Grab a pan that is oven safe and has seen better days.

Fill a few different measuring glasses, dishes or glasses with your different color Kool-Aid dyes ( Kool-Aid, Water, small amount of Vinegar).

Place your wool into your oven pan. You can line the pan with foil if you must.

Pour your dyes onto your wool making patterns and mottling of your choice ( be creative).

"Cook" wool for 15-20 minutes,Then rinse and dry!

Heavens to Betsy Natural

Note:

Our Ancestors ( and my grandma ) used to use Beets, Carrots, Walnuts, Avacodos and berries to dye fabrics. Grandma ( Anne ) filled Mayonaise jars with dyes she made from natural foods and would save them to use at a later date.



Friday, February 18, 2011

No Way! A braided skull rug!




For Anyone who may remember I (erica) have a bit of a love for all thing skulls as well as textiles including of course wool, So imagine my reaction as I came across the coolest Braided Rug ever:
Rug by Timothy Lile

And because I can't just leave you with one picture here are a few I found on etsy:
 




Thursday, February 17, 2011

Books and sewing patterns to devour

All books are linked to Amazon






And some of the most adorable patterns around:

Huck fin cap by Sew Liberated


Parsley and Beet by Jodie from Ric Rac


School Days Jacket by Oliver and S ( They also have the most gorgeous! cape in their new book that would look beautiful done in wool but I couldn't grab the pic )
Cloch Hat by McHats on etsy



 
Slipper by Shoeology ( I have this pattern, I just have not gotten around to using it although~ I have looked at it and the pattern is well thought out and detailed )


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wool Giveaway! on True Up

Link Love

Kim at True Up is offering two half yards of Heavens to Betsy wool! Visit True Up at this link here for your chance to win!

True Up is a great blog for any crafter to stay up to date on all things textile! With inspiration for anyone with modern or vintage tastes to draw creative inspiration from.



I also simply have to encourage you to sneak a peak at one of my all time favorite crafting blogs
Hosted by the amazing Jodie Carleton in Australia.
Her Plushies, Style and Personality shine through to inspire us to take joy and fun and always incorporate them into our everyday lives.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Monday, February 14, 2011

Contest! ~ Vintage on the Ridge Antiques!

Just Received this from Sally and had to share it with everyone. Vintage on the Ridge is Giving Away $40. in Antique goodness at her etsy shop.
From Sally:
Love Affair with Vintage


I had to tell you about the contest we are running over at Vintage on the Ridge. If you like antiques and vintage, you just might want to pop over and check it out - A Love Affair with Vintage. The winner gets a $40 gift certificate to our vintage shop at Etsy! We are trying to build some link love and blog following with this one, as well. Hope you'll help us out & maybe YOU will win!
Now I gotta get back to my hooking! What are you working on?

~ Leave a comment on her blog~ and tell her what's on your frame right now!
More later . . . Happy Valentine's Day All!

Friday, February 11, 2011

FREE SHIPPING ~ Happy Valentines Day! ~

FREE SHIPPING
at
Now until Midnight Feb. 14th
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
enter:   funnyvalentine   
in the discount coupon code at checkout
(U.S, Retail orders only)

Monday, February 7, 2011

~Heavens to Betsy~ Interview with Sue Spargo

Follow the link Below for an interview and information on Sue Spargo
and
more details on kits, Patterns and workshops







                                                             
 


Sunday, February 6, 2011