Up and Running

I am so happy to announce that Rust-Tex.com is up and running, (finally.) You can see a sample of the instructional CD there as well as a gallery of artwork made using rust dyed fabric.

So go visit the website and see why I haven't been posting here because of work I did there.

This is not the piece I dyed with iron from the Big River Forge. This piece is a celebration of getting the web site done.

I hope to get some rust dyeing done tomorrow as the weather here is record breaking HOT. It is a good time to stay in the basement studio but also a good time to do rust dyeing.

I think I created a monster.

I'm Back

The CD is finished and ready for purchase at Rust-Tex.com. I went to a sewing retreat in DeSoto, WI this week-end. A quilt shop hop took us into Lansing, IA, where just down the street from the quilt shop I found this ironworks. I went and asked if they had any industrial waste they could give me. A very nice man dug out some dregs from the bottom of their plasma cutter. He put it in a water tight plastic bottle for me. Back at the retreat site I did a bit of rust dyeing with it and...well it is too late to take any pictures tonight but here is a picture I took this afternoon of the Big River Forge and Ironworks, where that nice man works.

And the winner is...

The voting went to the top CD label for the Rust-Tex Instructional CD, which is now finished and ready for you to purchase. The cost is $20. It includes complete instructions for 4 Rust-Tex techniques, an art gallery and a fabric gallery. I will be selling copies at the Art Cloth Symposium on Saturday night from 7-9pm at the Textile Center in Minneapolis at an event that is open to the public. The rest of you will have to wait till I get back to Madison. Next week, Rust-Tex.Com will be up and running by Wednesday. There you will be able to see one complete technique from the book, so you can, browse before you buy. I gotta go get some rest for the long drive to MN tomorrow. So good-night and sweet dreams, Dear Reader of Rust-Tex.blogspot.com.

CD Coming Soon

Maybe some of you Rust-Tex.Blogspot.Com readers noticed I have not posted since Thursday. That is because I am working hard to get my rust dyeing instructional CD finished. The target date is a week from Saturday. It is premiering at the Art Cloth Symposium at the Textile Center in MN Trunk Show on Saturday night. This event is open to the public.

The CD will have four complete techniques on it, in text and fabulous photos so the information can be accessed by both verbal and visual learners. There will be a gallery of art work using rust dyed fabric and a fabric gallery. It will run like a website in your computer, with pages hot linked. It will not be a PDF book on CD.

Also in the works is Rust-Tex.Com which will have a sample chapter, gallery, and order form. So you will have to forgive me if I do not post much this week.

If you need a rust-tex fix, please read the archives. My personal favorite is Saturday, April 22, 2006, "The Scarf, The Steel Wool Pad and The Copper Wire".

That is all for now I gotta go whip those gallery pages into shape.

Black Scarves

I have not been having much success with getting a good black dye this summer. I had put some bundles into the iron dye pot last night. This afternoon I opened up the bundles and found these beautiful scarves.

The new sumac juice and the hot weather are finally working in my favor. I got all inspired, made up a fresh dye bath and put two yards into it. I am hoping they come out just as dark.

A Reason to Work Outdoors

While trimming some bushes, my dear husband, told me he thought there was a nest near by because a bird kept chirping at him. It was not a nest that the bird was trying to protect but this fledging.

Although the parent did a lot of chirping it was not dive bombing me, so I kept taking pictures. I finally got this GREAT one! I am very appreciative of my digital camera with its review feature.

Happy 4th of July!!!

Today is Independence Day here in the United States of America.

Long may the stars and stripes wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave, no matter what color they are.

(Be sure to notice "the dawn's early light" on this flag)

The Rust-Tex Report for Today

I set out 4 fat quarters and 6 scarves before dinner. After the dishes were done so were some of the scarves. The new sumac juice is giving me FAST action and a variety of colors from daub to black including some deep blue!!!

These pictures are some fish I stenciled on a fat eight of Rust-Tex last winter.

Detail

Please Vote

Upper Label Vote for me

Today was a perfect day for rust dyeing. I have lots of fabric prepared, lots of rusty items, and lots of ideas. The thing I did not have today was lots of time. Our youngest daughter leaves tomorrow for three weeks in a counselor in training program. I spent most of the day doing things to for her. She reciprocated by designing the label for the Rust-Tex instructional CD. She likes one. I like the other. Please vote for your favorite by leaving a comment. Thanks!

No vote for me!!!

Lower label