Goop....x.....three!

 Over the weekend I mucked about with the shaving cream technique and thought I'd take a few in-process pictures to share (for further information be sure to see THIS post)...

This shows the shaving cream spread out on plastic (don't forget that step!!!!)

You can (hopefully) see the paint spread over the cream....

Here, it's been scraped using a plastic 12" ruler, removing the shaving cream/paint goop as much as possible.  Be sure there's a garbage bag and a spare pair of hands nearby!  This piece was done using wet fabric and the colours are quite muted (at least when still wet).  

Below you can see (click to embiggen) the end results.  The piece of fabric on the top was done using dry fabric and the one below was with the fabric moist.  I would recommend using dampened fabric though because when it's dry it 'gobbles' up the shaving cream and it's harder to remove. The colours are more saturated using dry fabric.  Sorry about the wrinkles but it still needs to be washed again before I press it really well.  For now this is pressed to set the colour.

- THIS is a fun idea for a quilt (scroll down to see the full version)

- You might want to check THIS out because she's starting a year that sounds like great fun for us all.  

- THIS looks like something that would be very useful to many of us.

- I looked at THESE and had a moment where I thought how much fun it would be to do one.  And then I remembered I have noplace to put it and that moment left in a hurry.  I would love to make a sewing/knitting shop with living quarters above.  And if our granddaughter lived closer (or shipping costs weren't out of this world), think of the fun I could have.

Today's quote..."Never be afraid to try something new.  Remember amateurs built the Ark...professionals built the Titanic"

UPDATED TO ADD ANOTHER QUOTE OF THE DAY.... "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter"  - Martin Luther King Jr.“

A goopy mess?!

 In case you're curious about how I do my shaving cream fabric dyeing, here's a wee tutorial on the process I use...

- you need some white fabric - some would say it should be the 'Prepared for Dyeing' stuff, but I don't bother.  I just use white fabric.

- shaving cream - the cheap foaming kind from the dollar store

- paint - I use cheap acrylic folk art paint from the dollar store - several colours that are indicative of a moody fall sky (maybe 3 different ones)

- plastic to cover two different tables

- a large paint brush

- a straight edge, preferably plastic (I use a 12" ruler)

- paper towels and a large garbage bag

Cover both your table surfaces with plastic...I like to tape down the edges here and there with some masking tape to keep it from moving too much.  Make sure your fabric is  damp (not sopping wet but really damp...OR if you want more intensity of colour use the fabric dry...UPDATED TO ADD:  Using dry fabric means that it grabs onto more of the shaving cream and it's more difficult to remove.  I would recommend damp over dry).  Cover one plastic surface with shaving cream and spread it around.  You want it to be between 1/4 and 1/2" thick.  Squirt paint here and there, varying the colours you use.  Then, very scientifically, use the large paint brush to move it around so that it looks like it might look like sky.  Don't worry about leaving a few white areas. (see, told you it was a scientific process!!).  Carefully lay your damp fabric on top and press lightly with your hands to make sure it has connected with the paint.  Pick it up by one long edge and move to your other plastic-covered table (be careful here because walking too fast means the fabric will plaster itself to your clothes...and don't drop it either!).  Here's where a second person might be handy to help you lay it flat onto your table.  Use the straight edge to scrape the surface to remove as much of the shaving cream/paint as possible.  Use a paper towel to clean the straight edge into the garbage bag.  Allow the entire thing to dry.  Rinse carefully and allow to dry.  Press with a hot iron to set the paint.  That's all there is to it!  Sometimes I will rinse it once again, dry and press.  When I get time to muck about, I'll share pictures.  

UPDATED TO ADD:  See also THIS post for further information!

- I thought THIS was rather pretty.

- If you have a bunch of leftover yarns, perhaps THIS design might be a great use for them.

- THIS might be a fun project too.

- THIS is wonderful tuturial for a beautiful project for yourself or for use as a gift throughout the year.

Today's quote..."Sometimes the best thing that you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. Just breathe and have faith that everything will work out for the best"