I only had a few hours to spend in the studio this past weekend, (too many interruptions), but I did start on dyeing the fabrics for my Sun/Moon quilt. I began by layering my wool with Osage orange bark and annatto.

My little helper came out and crushed up cochineal

and added it to the mix.  I poured boiling water over and sealed it.

Now I'll let it sit awhile and let the dyes perform their magic. In the past when I've done this I'd leave it out in the hot sun to solar dye and watch it carefully for mold, but now after reading India's prophet-of-bloom.blogspot.com new book "stuff, steep @ store"  I sealed the lids so hopefully the fabric doesn't mold as fast. When I open one of the jars I'll add a spoonful  of washing soda. The annatto in it will turn the fabric a bright orange. Hopefully with the cochineal, and Osage orange bark the fabric will be a nice mix of colors.

I also attend a local fashion show this weekend, entitled "Words To Wear". It started with 6 artists creating wearable fashion using only newspapers, scissors, tape, glue sticks and string. They all had the same amount and if you ran out of anything too bad! 

They had 6 hours to create.

A dress from last year,

And another one. So the glue sticks and tape held.

At the end of the day there was a fashion show with the model and designer walking. 

This design was inspired by the 40's.

This design included a corseted belt, mask, paper feathers

and a flirty ruffle in back.

A strap dress with bows.

and a kick pleat at the bottom.

Cute young girl with a "Flapper" dress.

And a hippie from the 70's or just dreaming of Spring and flowers.

This was a cute dress, with pleats,

a bow on the back and a purse.  

At the same time the fashion show was going on it was the end of another show called "Bling Thing Sale". It was a fund raiser for our library. People donated their old jewelry to the sale. There was a lot of vintage jewelry.  The prices were great and on the last day they were half price. I bought this old necklace with Czechoslovakian crystals intending to cut it up and use in the sky on the Sun quilt but after trying it on it is too beautiful to part out (not that I have any place to wear it).
I think I paid $10.00 for this piece. (half price day)

This set of vintage earrings and pin was $7.00.

Vintage earrings $2.50.

I bought other necklaces to cut up to sew onto the Sun quilt but I was interrupted and didn't get back to photographing them.

This weekend I'll try again in the studio working with indigo.