Prayer Flags for Outdoor Yoga Festival

Some of the fabric I am using, next to the traditional prayer flags.

Happy to be back in the studio after a few months away. A dear friend and yoga teacher asked me if I wanted to create Prayer Flags. Yes, yes, yes . . .

My current project is hand dyeing 200 prayer flags for Pose 4 a Purpose, an outdoor Yoga Festival benefiting Cancer CAREpoint. Cancer CAREpoint offers counseling, assistance, resources and education for individuals and families in Silicon Valley whose lives are touched by cancer.

So happy to be dying fabric again. My goal was not to purchase any of the fabric and donate my time and expertise. Fabric was donated by SCRAP in San Francisco, FabMo in Mountain View, and other friends and family.

This outdoor Yoga festival is happening on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Vasona Park in Los Gatos, California.

For more information check out the website for tickets, or to make a donation.
http://www.pose4apurpose.com

Starting out with the traditional primary colors, each flag is hand dipped in Indigo. There is room for a message or sentiment.

Flags will surround the main tent. Can't wait to see how they will look. With each flag I am reminded how we all need love and support when going through difficult times.

Thanks Lorien for giving me this opportunity. And for sharing your many talents, one of which is writing, here is a link to her blog:
http://yogabylorien.blogspot.com

Enjoy, and thanks for visiting my blog.

First batch of flags

Indigo vat is so foamy, plenty of blue dye.

Using clamping technique to add pattern.

He is looking at me . . . . happy to be apart of the process.

My favorite gloves, thanks to Tory and Sara.

Another batch, I decided to add red since its know as a healing color.

Hanging to dry in my studio, School of Visual Philosophy.

Dyed these tiny wood clothes pins for hanging each flag.

Cleaning up at the end of the day.

I see the light at the end of this project, hoping it is a success.

Silicon Valley Open Studio May 16 - 17 2015

Silicon Valley Open Studios will be coming up the first three weekends in May, and I am participating on the third weekend. All the artists will have their studio doors open to the public. It is a chance to see what everyone is up to at the School of Visual Philosophy, and other locations too.
Below is a link for more information.
Hope you can make it either Saturday or Sunday. I will be there Saturday 11:00 - 1:00 and Sunday 11:00 - 5:00.
Come visit.

May 16 - 17
Site #201
425 Auzerais Ave, 1st floor
San Jose, California 95126

http://www.svos.org

Sewing Retreat Venture Valley

This year's sew group retreat was at Venture Valley Conference Center near Corralitos, California in the redwoods. Three nights spending time with friends, sharing ideas, techniques, fitting, laughing, and sharing meals together was a welcome break. Here are a few images I captured from the weekend. This group of friends has been getting together for over twenty years. I have learned so much from these talented woman. Smocking and handwork was my focus. 

Lattice smocking

Ironed and interfaced test piece

Sitting by the pool doing handwork is so relaxing

Wonderful natural light

Sharing at the end of the weekend

Eco Printed Silk Wool Panel

I used pecan leaf from my sister's house in Katy, Texas and eucalyptus leaf from San Jose, California to create this panel. The fiber content is a silk wool blend. I have a similar piece for sale on my Etsy shop.

Wool Gauze Scarfs Dyed in Indigo

Lightweight wool gauze is comfortable and popular, I have noticed it worn in the streets of San Francisco. Check out my indigo dyed wool gauze scarfs at my Etsy shop, kimmeulibrown. I found some nice quality wool blank scarfs at Dharma Trading here in California and ordered some from Beautiful Silks in Australia. One has fringe, with a weave more open, the other is dense and softer. Below is a three step showing of one of the designs. Enjoy and please come visit again.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

Finished Scarf

Six finished pieces ready for my shop.

Constellation of Mold

Opened a dye pot that I had left in the studio. And wow . . . look at the gorgeous burst of colors and the amber beads that appear radiating like jewels in a circle above another. I find this very intriguing, and would enjoy recreating this in some way. Most definitely art that is one of a kind. Don't think I could make this happen again. This mold alive and growing, came after the crazy rain storms we had. The studio was very wet and cold. This is what I love about the process of creating, the surprises that come of their own fruition. Mold can be beautiful. Why not ?

Art Ark Gallery

It was a pleasure to be selected as one of fifty local artist to show work at the Art Ark Gallery this holiday season. It was the fifth annual salon style exhibition and sale. The Art Ark Gallery is located in San Jose, they have a mission to encourage artists and engage the community. Thanks to dear friends and family that came out to enjoy the music, food, art, and meet new friends. It was inspiring.

Wet felted pods with lights.

It was fun to design the installation using a
branch from our Persimmon tree.