STUDIO INSPIRATIONS
TNT textile needle thread
Sunday demonstrations
May 9th - From brown paper to fabric
May 16th - Shibori
May 23rd - Fabric manipulation
May 30th - Various cording techniques
June 6th - Using the embellisher and felting
June 13th - Screen printing & fabric painting
June 20th - Sampler of processes
I am preparing for the Shibori and the Cording demos and am having too much fun. It is a dangerous to allow myself to start exploring new areas when I am doing further research. However, I let myself get distracted and a little off course (but I was able to wander back on course).
While doing research on getting a real marudai for myself (a Mother's Day present from my wonderful husband), I came across a new thing that I had heard about before, but avidly avoided in the knowledge that it is best not to follow my Internet searches wherever they lead me. This time I did follow. And now am hooked on card weaving.
I have ordered a kit and a booklet and while waiting I went a wee bit crazy. Not being a patient person, waiting the week and a bit that it would take to get my kit was just too much to bear. So I got out my collection of used gift cards and dead credit cards and started to cut them up and punch them out. Voilà, weaving tablets or cards. The photo with the Christmas tree card tablet shows a finished card. These cards are about 2 1/8" square. I even made a smaller set of cards out of the off cuts (these are about 1 1/4" square and are shown on the tray loom photo). Then, I fashioned a loom out of a tray (that idea needs more work -- the sides of the tray hamper the weaving a bit) and because of my need to always reinvent the wheel, I made some innovations to the ideas on the Internet (involving Easy Bobs and Sharpie markers). I have woven two bands now and I really enjoy the process. 
I can envision creating bands for purse and bag handles and other trims, as I do with my kumihimo equipment. This is another way to create unique trims for fibre art creations.
