Calamity Kim

New Life for Dead Doilies

I just finished the newest book by Alice Hoffman titled The Red Garden and it has left me feeling a might bit melancholy. Sad that the book is done and I can't continue to live inside it and sad about some of the stories presented therein. I love her books and they generally fill me with notions of magic and the possibilities of mending a broken heart and in this book there are tiny bits of both fluttering through chapter to next and it is a delightfully easy read. It sucks you right in and it's difficult to disconnect when it's over. It travels in time from 1750 up to 1986 and tells the stories of the settlers of a small town in Massachusetts.

She also wrote Practical Magic and that is one of my favorite movies when I am sitting on the couch sewing.

Anyway, we went to see The Adjustment Bureau yesterday and it was very entertaining with a well written script and good chemistry between the main characters. This afternoon we saw Rango and it was great fun! Even with a theater full of bored babies we both enjoyed it and couldn't help but laugh. Johnny Depp lends his voice to Rango and the CGI by Industrial Light and Magic is fabulous! Possibly better than any I have ever seen! It's beautiful and amazing and easy to get caught up in the story.

Once we got home I started dyeing a few things for using in some clothing next week- crochet pieces and tablecloths and cotton gauze for a comfy outfit of top and bloomers.

I wonder if I will have to go to bed at 9 in order not to be too messed up with the time change-? I love it being light longer but it does wreck havoc with my body clock and I need to be up and at work so that I can get some orders for coats and vests started. It has been so beautiful here and I really just want to go lay on the beach.

Maybe I can go for sunset and fill my lungs with salt air... the pollen has been killer this Spring but it's better than usual, probably because I started walking last fall and had more exposure than normal. Anyway, just rambling to myself here.

I plan to use this dyed cotton gauze (now cream and gunmetal) in a Lagenlook top and bloomers. Lagenlook is German for layered clothing and has been a long time trend in Europe. I love dressing in light layers as it is cooler here in the heat of Florida. I will share some pictures when I get some.

Hope you all have a very happy and creative week ahead.

XOX,

Calamity Kim

Garden of Calamity Fabric Flowers

This week I have spent some time making flowers. It seems like such a zen process once I get my mind in the right place.

It's difficult to sit still for long periods and not be at the sewing machine or spinning wheel. I have so much to do and it seems like these flowers take so much time. I cut each circle from tulle, chiffon or organza and as the candle's flame melts each edge I do become tranquil and mellow.

The rhythm of the movement and repetitive motion is comfortable and sometime I stick myself with the needle or burn my finger and that wakes me right up! But as I construct each flower, layer by layer, petal by petal I have time to think about other things I want to make and my mind drifts and daydreams.

Next week I will be showing a fairy gown I am working on for my Surface Design Guild's Fashion Show and I think I will make a crown with flowers as well as a pair of wings. I made a few smaller roses to turn into a neck piece to wear with the gown and I have findings to make matching earrings.

I think I need some darker green chiffon for leaves and maybe a butterfly on there would be nice.

So that's what I've been up to- along with taking walks and bouncing on my new mini trampoline. Yes, really! It's fun and a great way to get your heart rate going! The weather outside is so nice and the sunshine is warm and lovely. I feel like going to the beach but I have to "grow some flowers". I don't run a sweat shop- I run a hot house!!! Yes- I'm hysterical I know!

I will be down in North Port this weekend on Saturday and Sunday at the Spring Fest Art Show with my Surface Design Guild's booth if you'd like to come on down and see me and my flowers.

Have a Happy Weekend and Happy Springtime!

xo, Calamity Kim

Soft Scrub Bleach Discharge on Velvet Tutorial

Last year my friend Diane from our Surface Design Group shared a technique using puffy paints and stencils that she designs to create a cool raised effect on fabric (or paper) and then when I shared how I had sprayed bleach on to some velvet using a plastic doily as a resist she suggested that I try Soft Scrub with the stencils the next time I did it.
So I did.
Last night I had 30 minutes to kill before Sarah Conner Chronicles and Fringe and The Mentalist and I pulled out a  Spiderweb Mask that I had recently found at a scrap book store here in Sarasota. They are from Tim Holtz line of products and have a bit of tackiness so they stick and can be re-used. I looked at eBay and found lots more by Heidi Swapp and another set with barbed wire from Tim. I will be getting some more to play with because this saves so much time in cutting my own stencils and the designs are great.
The results on black cotton velvet were outstanding and I love the glow of the brown bleached areas so much that I thought I would share it.
You probably know all about bleach resist and have done it a million bazillion times, but using the soft scrub is less messy and doesn't smell so bad and no need to worry about overspray or doing it outside and fighting any breezes.
First I cut some black cotton velvet into 12" squares.

Get everything ready~ the fabric, the soft scrub, the masks or stencils and maybe something flat with an edge to spread it with. I used a small ruler but you could use an old credit card or spackle knife.
Place Tim Holtz Spiderweb Mask on velvet where you want design to be. I added a small seam allowance but got close to the edges.
Squirt some Soft Scrub on to center of masks and start spreading.
You can use your fingers- go ahead, it's a little cold but won't hurt- it's better than cleaning the bathtub with it!
I put it on sorta thick.
After a few minutes it will start to change color.
The mask acts as a resist and the black velvet will stay the same underneath as long as the plastic stays down firmly on it.
product placement.
 This tutorial was not paid for or suggested by the kind
 people at Soft Scrub (teehee)
That's the piece I did last night since you are probably all squirmy and anxious to skip ahead and see what the results look like.
Hold your horses, cowgirls and give it another few minutes.
In the time while you are waiting you could always do another.
This is with one of Diane Bunker's stencils and I wanted to test using it with adhesive on the back of the stencil.
slap some on there and go check the first piece of fabric.
This is after about 5 minutes
This is about 8 minutes and I can't stand it anymore so I put the 12" square acrylic ruler under it and carry it into the kitchen.
Don't panic when you start rinsing it off and don't see anything at first- remember the velvet has a nap and the black is just showing until you dry it.
Once you rinse it and dry it the black has bleached to brown and looks so cool!
Now, after I pulled the stencil off from the other piece of fabric I saw the calamity! The smaller stencil had not been sprayed with temporary adhesive like the larger design had and it leaked under and messed up the sharpness of the design.
 Small price to pay to learn a lesson.
I had used the larger stencil for another project and was testing the temporary spray adhesive for quilt basting. It worked but I advise spraying the back of the stencil lightly and allow to dry before using on fabric.
ahh, what would my day be without some sort of Calamity?
Rinse with warm water and then quickly wash with some dish soap.
Wring out and hang on a hanger and dry in the sun
Some day I'll have a clothesline, but until then the hibiscus works fine
So, give this technique a try and have fun- don't be afraid!
 What ya gonna do, alter something?
Make it unique?
Have a Fabric Adventure- today!
Love & Stitches,
 Calamity Kim

Front of crown

Front of crown, originally uploaded by Vintage Flair.

This is made by Vintage Flair....I really dig it! I just found several rolls of chicken wire at Goodwill for next to nothing...I am going to file this in my Great idea file and we shall see....

Promises of Pumpkins

Yesterday when I went to Michael's Art's & Crafts for some more acrylic gel medium and gesso, I was pleased to see that the Halloween Martha section was up and ready to thrill! There are lots of things that have been featured in her mags and books. I also think some of the kits were once on her website. The chopped finger party invitation. You know, it is made from plaster and tied with a black bow and comes in a tiny finger size box with the party info. I love that! I never took the time to make it though. Now I can get the kit for 19.99 and it can happen! There are banners and stamps, paper leaves and glitter for skulls. I wonder in the future, when these craft things are found in attics and basements, like 50-100 years from now, what will they think? Will they be as hot as vintage ephemera is now?

Probably. They will collect it and admire it and somethings will be cut up and used by the artists of the future to create more art. I get tired of some images- you see them over and over again. I am starting to tire of wings, birds, sepia, one word things like- dream, inspire, create...you know what I mean?
When you go to Walmart and they have knock-offs  do you think the trend is over or that might be the pinnacle of success.
So good that you get ripped off.
I wander off subject frequently, forgive me.
The image with the moving eye here is only fresh because they animated it. I had a little sign with this postcard image reproduced on it. It hung with a wire hanger. I sold it at a garage sale last year because I was tired of it. I would rather make my own Holiday decorations now. However, when Martha does it (like the banners) and they are just as good as anything I might make, then I have a conundrum.

I want to decorate even if it's just for  Fred and me. Once the kids are grown and gone, it seems liberating at first and then you realize there is no reason to go to all that trouble.
Remember in Fried Green Tomatoes when you finally get to see Mz Threadgoode's room and she has collaged the walls with flowers?  That's the way my room at the  Springfield Old Folks Home will be.  A doily and  a pincushion.
A sewing basket with yoyo's that I am too blind to finish. 
So between now and then do I continue to make things to  decorate for a party that no one attends?
Knowing me, probably. I love the  reproductions of vintage holiday ephemera. The attention to detail- crisp graphics. Whimsical touches. Glitter and glow-in-the-dark paint. I really dig it! Martha knows that too. She digs it. I am surprised she doesn't have German glass glitter in her craft line. It must be too expensive to manufacture. Maybe she was told that the average crafter wouldn't pay the price they'd have to charge for it. Only Martha knows. It sparkles, shines and has weight. I think it is the only way to glitter. Old tinsel glitter is pretty cool though too. I have two small containers of it. Gold and silver tinsel. I have some micah also.    

Expect to see some Halloween stuff here and in the shop. Last year I started my blog in October and had a post or two about it, but nothing really available to sell. Now, I have the Etsy shop and eBay as venues. The Atomic Holiday Bazaar Show will be about gifts and I will try to have aprons, purses and dolls.
I am planning a trip to visit my Mom & Dad and then my stepdaughter Lexi  is due at the end of this month. I am going up to Clarksville for a visit with her and the grand babies while she is in the hospital and that first exhausting week after delivery. I am listing stuff to get some traveling money together and will put a link to our Ebay site if you want to check it out.

So whether you are a good witch or a bad witch, sexy or frightening, your season is coming and will be here before you know it.
Maybe a few art doll party hats with witches will get me started. Definitely some aprons and mutant pumpkins. I bought some lovely white pumpkins and some black oak leave garland. I have to curb my enthusiasm until after I get back in September to decorate.  Until I leave I will be finishing up those long piled up wips. I have stopped and started so many times and all my good intentions have been dismissed as the boy crying wolf. I will finish them and mail them if it's the last thing I ever do! Promises to the ether. Promises of future projects. Promises of pumpkins. 

Alice in a shadow box

It started off as a plain, unpainted , cheap wooden box. Then after two coats of primer and three coats of red and a few white dots it was ready. To be a home to......? a gnome? a fairy? oh, an Alice.... when you find the perfect image and it all clicks together...that's the joy....

ahhh. hello Alice!

I used my beautiful Hp Photosmart 8250 to print some copies from Diary of an Edwardian Lady. They were perfect for the background and the mushrooms in the foreground.

The Alice is illustrated by Mabel Lucie Attwell and is from a childrens bookcover published in 1910. I don't have the actual book, I got the image from a book of Children's Bookcovers.  I love the style very much and something about it reminds me of Bessie Pease Gutmann and Jessie Willcox Smith. That whole Howard Pyle era was wonderful. Anyway, the Alice stands up and the mushrooms in front are also free standing. I had to put a little glitter around for some sparkle... I am still not finished- it needs a tiny butterfly or bee on a wire flying around....I am putting it in the Etsy shop  when it's I am finally done. I started this weeks ago.

I have been painting several things red and will be getting them done soon.

I found a cork board at Goodwill for 1.99 and have painted it with primer and 3 coats of red also. I am going to make it into a message board- for the sewing room/sweatshop/sanctuary.

I always am happy in there.

Everytime I walk in I sigh.

I am content.

Please don't make me leave..what? laundry? dishes? dog?...aw, man, I was havin' such a good time!

***

We had salad and sauteed chicken tonight. Then we walked! Go Freddie! Go Freddie!! Hahaha! Just around the neighborhood this time, but  anywhere is fine!

The beach was so cold and windy when we went back to walk on Sunday- it was like Dune and we were walking into the wind, watching for sandworms!  aw, sorry, I used to read Frank Herbert ....anyway, I have to finish a few more of the giveaways...so gotta run...I just wanted to share the Alice with ya. ( hey, didya see the Crown & Tiara book over at Ulla's place? I cannot wait!!!)

modified chaos

This is how my sewing room looks now. I don't even want to show you the before pictures.   If you really must see it you can go to Flickr and revel in the mayhem. I lived it. I can't go back. I must move forward. Once again, I promise myself that I will try to keep it clean as I go. I know 4 months from now I will be posting about the messy sewing room and the utter chaos it has become. I am just messy! I start pulling out fabrics and it just happens. Anyway, the sewing room is clean and neat and tidy and today I finished another rose. This one is the rose from asteroid B-612, where the Little Prince lives. It is for the charming buyer of my Little Prince Pincushion and I will be blogging about her in a day or so. I need a little bit more info about her. She is a writer and is writing a book about the author of the Little Prince who wrote the book,while renting a mansion in her town. I will be mailing it off tomorrow, but I thought I'd show a few pictures before it gets tucked away in tissue.

I watercolored the coffee filters with crimson and hung them outside to dry. Then I used different red fabrics, tulle, ladies hankies with roses and pages reprinted from the Little Prince book for petals. It came out really nice and I love how the glass glitter gives it a nice shine. These roses are very time consuming but I am enjoying creating them. They take a while, and I am considering calling them the 6 hour rose....next I am making Charlottes web and then an Alice, of course...there may be a little red too...we shall see. Can't you see the wolf with a rose in his teeth?

We rented The Good Shepard and it was very interesting. I think I need to watch it again to really understand it, but it was very good and entertaining. Bobby DeNiro did a great job. I am saving Charlottes Web for tomorrow, after Fred goes to work and I can enjoy it while I do a bit of embroidery. I started one from a picture that I printed on fabric and I will show all once I get a bit more completed. I have gotten some awesome mail in the last few days!

The Amazing Miz Amanda sent me a box o'love and Carol (WIP) sent me some gorgeous trims (thank You!) and Phyllis from Shabby in the City sent me some pretty & shabby roses and linen scrap for answering some questions over at her blog, and then I got a beautiful egg from Bitter Betty!! Norm the Gnome made by Jennifer Stanfield of Nimbleknot awesomeness can't be forgotten and then some doll house furniture I found over at Etsy. Wonderful stuff!

I do want to say that I am blessed- with  a loving family, friends and  grandchildren. and sadie, she's a good dog.

I  am so proud that Louis did as well as he did in the Softie Awards and  I am not sad about not winning. I am so happy just to have Louis make the cut. If you stripped him (bare) (teehee) he would be just like any other bear...don't tell him that, of course, or he'll just go on forever about how he is the king of France, blah, blah, blah...
I think that artist  bears are so unique that each one is truly meant to belong to one special person.

That's all I really have to say. It was alot of fun but the contest was excruciatingly long, and that was difficult- the waiting!  I never have been very competitive and it did feel good to just participate. Thank you so much, those of you who voted for him....sweet treats for everyone!!!
Speaking of sweet treats- Phyllis is having a get together at her blog on Friday- a sort of a blog  covered dish supper..or maybe picnic...maybe we can have some fun with this one... she is requesting recipes that are local or  regional I guess to wherever you are from.

After the huge response that Artsy Mama got for her tea party I think this should be as big- if we all tell a friend and pass it on down the blog line. Go to her site for more info and start planning what you might make or recipe you want to share...here in Florida its all about the seafood, and key lime pies....get yer aprons on!!! 

10 Step Rose Program

I thought I would show the rose first. Then you would have your curiosity engaged and stick around for the rest of the PAPER FLOWER TUTORIAL. I was inspired by Ulla's post with a link to Miz Smoochie Lips blog about how she created a flower with a silk flower and some bits of fabric and lace and I was further egged on by my Stepdaughter Lexi telling me about Cassie Chappell, www.mommymakesroses.com who was going to be on Martha Stewarts show with her paper roses- made from Coffee Filters!!!! Ok, Now I was blown away by how real they looked! I wanted to make my own with the Calamity Kim Spin! SO I bought the coffee filters- the triangle shaped kind- I do have some round ones I am saving to make yoyo's with (seen on Carol Duvalls show) and gathered my materials.

Mis en Place is a term used by Chefs to arrange all the ingredients and prepare everything a head of time so that then they can combine them  without having to stop and chop...etc. So ...

Step 1. Gather all materials:

Petal and leave patterns from PDF Pattern TEmplates from Martha Stewart

triangle shaped  " cone" coffee filters
glue stick
floral tape in green
stamen
old papers, books, sheet music, paper doilies
fabric
lace- at least 3 " wide
floral 16-gage wire
watercolor paints
acrylic paints
walnut ink stain
coffee
scissors
bamboo skewer
brushes and containers for water
paper towels
paper plates
pen
patience
glitter
glue
green paper for leaves

***Go to www.marthastewart.com or follow this link to her website. I recommend watching the video and printing out her directions and the pattern for the leaves. It is listed under Paper Rose Craft***

Step 2. cut out the petals from coffee filters. All 8 sizes.
Cut out each size and keep separate  on paper plates with the number written on them.
Like plate one would be labeled  first petal.  plate 2 would say second petal...etc however you can have them organized and ready. Once  you start you won't want to have to go back and cut petals.

Step 3.  Cut out special addition petals  from paper ephemera. Like pages from old books or magazines or newspaper or wrapping paper. Sometimes I pick a theme and then use that through out the project. Alice in Wonderland seems especially appropriate for this one. Painting the roses red and all that!

Step 4.  After painting the completed rose like the directions call for,  I really think that it would be easier and faster to watercolor the coffee filters first. You can enlist the children in this and I would cover the table with plastic or even do this outside.

Wet the coffee filters with a spray bottle filled with water and the use some water colors to get the look you want. If you really want to control the color then cut out your petals first and do a lighter shade in the center and darker around the rim. Study pictures or go buy some roses to use as an example.
Flickr has a wealth of roses and choosing a color is tough. The petals will dry quickly in a warm oven or use your heat gun or blow dryer. Once the rose is complete you can always touch up the color.

Step 5. Begin by placing a set of stamen in center. I used some that were already wrapped in a bunch from Michaels( from the bridal section). If you are using loose ones then just put the end of the wire in a loop over the center and hold stamen up and wrap tightly with floral tap. You must pull floral tape as you go to open it up and get the waxy stuff going. Be sure to wrap tightly and compress the base of the petals where it is wrapped to the wire at all times.

Step 5. Take the first petals and place on wire, over the stamen  and wrap. The directions from Martha were good except I would use a glue stick and put a dab of glue as I added each petal for better stability. Add petals and keep them on top of each other and don't slide down stem. WRAP TIGHT.
Step 6. Add some petals and then every other time add some lace petals or fabric or ephemera papers. Continue dotting the base of petal with glue stick and wrapping tight after each addition. You don't want the petals to fall out or be pulled out when Aunt Pansy comes over for a visit and is knocked out of her socks by your luscious vase of roses.

****I suggest you don't leave anyone in the room alone with your spectacular roses because they will either be stealing them or picking at them to "see how you did it."If you must leave the room take them with you and cover your behavior by saying that you were just moving them to the next room, where they look so lovely in the light streaming in the window.

Unless, you have spent days and days crafting and not cleaning the windows and they are so thick with dust and rain marks that you keep the blinds pulled and the lamps on. If this is the case then you will have to be quick on your feet and make up a different lie as you deftly remove the roses,  so they don't get hurt or put into purses or coat pockets while you aren't looking.

I am just warning you. You can't come crying to me, OH THE CALAMITY!!!!!!

They stole MY ROSES!!!!!

You have BEEN WARNED!

Step 7. Keep adding layers of filter petals and stuff until you think you might have to quit and take a nap.

Step 8. Make a nice refreshment if you start to feel faint or exhausted. Remember, sugary drinks like sweet tea and coke are just going to make you more tired and the afternoon gin and tonic-a isn't gonna let you finish-a, so better skip it till after you're done and celebrating a vase full!

Step 9. I ended with the last two rows of petals as the filter paper . Then I mixed some walnut ink crystals in a tiny bit of water and brushed the edges of the roses. You can try a marker or watercolor.
Be bold.

Be adventurous!

Use your imagination!

The important thing is trying.

And having fun.

I had to keep telling myself to be patient.

Flowers take days to be this open and lovely.

****The key is this:  Your eye sees shapes and your brain wants to  recognize that shape. The key to roses are the turned down petals.

So Be sure to use your bamboo skewer to roll each side of the petal down with a point in the center.

Like a real rose.

Just roll it with your thumb and forefinger and you will be really good at it after the 3oth petal....be patient.

Stand back and admire your rose often and talk to it!

Tell it how beautiful it is becoming!

Remember the children and dog shouldn't hear you mumbling curse words  !@#$%^&* as you are crafting- it will make them run and hide and then who will be there to help clean up all the scraps of paper you have most assuredly gotten all over the floor and table? Whew!

Step 10.  I didn't add my leaves yet but I am pretty sure I will be cutting them out of some green Japanese paper- like in the art dept of Michaels- go look,  they have some.  Or you could use the coffee filter paper and watercolor it green....then use the same method with the glue stick and floral tape to wrap them onto the stem. I would go over it once more with floral tape pulled tight around the length of the stem, to give it a nice even presentation. 

After you have shaped all the petals and attached leaves add a bit of glue to some edges and sprinkle glitter on...if you like Gypsy roses.. I used brown german glass glitter..Or if you want a more realistic rose only use the coffee filter petals and omit all the extras.

If You really want to jazz them up you could add some feathers inside and ragged edged fabrics; you could bead on the petals or use cut up vintage linens with embroidery...look around...what do you see? Poems, love letters, eviction notices? All usable!

You could employ those colored pictures the kids have layered 3 feet deep on the fridge, or the latest Anthroplogie catalog.... Doritoes or Lays bag? I see roses. Liner from giant dog food bag- roses! Maps? Junk Mail? ROSES!!!!

Dog ate a library book? After you pay $112.00 for it, what are ya gonna do with it? Don't throw it away- Recycle it into a rose!!!
Ok. I hope you enjoyed this. If you do make a rose then let me know. I will start a Flickr group for us. The next time one of those holidays comes and you are expecting roses but don't get them- Make Your Own!!

If you do get some and are one of those people without allergies who dry them out- consider making them into paper  and Then making roses from that!!

Now, the paper making Tutorial will have to wait for another day....I am worn out!

I am going to hit the couch with my current embroidery and new Peter Pan DVD....