Expanding Surface Design Skills with Carol R. Eaton

There is nothing better than spending time with a good friend and if you can play with fabric at the same time it is a huge bonus.  

Yesterday was one of those days.  I spent the morning playing with fabric paint, stencils and leaves in the studio of Carol R. Eaton. Here are few before and after photos.

BEFORE - Castoff linen waiting to be UPCYCLED!

AFTER
I used a stencils for the map directions  and spots. The water-based fabric paint that dries to permanant color. The grids were created using wire ribbon and carpet padding.

BEFORE: Tie-dyed cotton from my stash that needed some umpf!

AFTER: You wouldn't guess it was the same fabric! The giant grape vine leaves (more than 8 inches) were used as stamps applying acrylic fabric paint to the reverse, more deeply veined side of the leaf, placed on the fabric and then pressed using a brayer. Additional colors were added using carpet padding and sponges as stamps.

Experimenting with Cardboard and Paint

Every notice how you can have something lying around for years (yes) and never try it, but then one day you feel you have permission and you can give it a whirl?

What is my inspiration? Why Julie Booth's new book, Fabric Printing at Home (Quarry Books, 2015). 

So it is with me and fabric paint. I have a jar that is so old it is dried up...almost...I added water and mixed it up. I used it to ink a roll made from corrugated cardboard and then I rolled the cardboard over some fabric. 

Cardboard roll and paint 

The result of the first rolls in one direction on previously hand-dyed cotton

Result of second multi-directional rolls