My Rag Rug Crochet Floor Puff

The Crochet Puff Ball

 

 So I saw this online here. I thought this was one of the coolest things I've seen. I was looking for a large hook project and i managed to work up an idea for a new one. I had one of those huge woven rag rugs that no longer fit anywhere in my home. So the destruction in me took over and I started to tear it appart. As i did this, I made a HUGE ball of yarn just by tying it all together as I went. 

 I'm bad when it comes to patterns for hap hazard projects like this one. But I've crocheted enough hats to understand how working in the round worked. Above to the left is the outside and on the right is the inside. Personally I loved the texture of the inside with all the tail ends from the knots but either way it was starting to take shape in no time! The longest part was making the yarn out of the rug pieces.

While working on it, I'll admit that I made a huge mess. There was scraps of fabric everywhere. But in no time the puff slowly became everyones new favorite spot on the floor at social gatherings.

 On the bottom, I cheated. I used a normal acrylic thick yarn to bring it together. I left an opening at the bottom for the stuffing. Now, since this entire project for me was recycling, I had four old throw pillows laying around. I just took those and stuffed them in. It works out perfectly. Since the shell is so thick, when I have to wash it, it is beneficial it is able to be emptied. Plus, with some spots, the openings in the stitches are large enough that I would have to have a fabric lining to just stuff it with fiber fill.

The final product, like I said before, everyone loves! They all seem to end up sitting on it when everyone is over. The texture and bright colors attracts everyone. Then as usual they say "Kate, did you make this?" which always stirs up a fun conversation about my Midget Digits.

SIlk Painting

One of my favorite things I learned in school was silk painting. My mother has one hanging in her home that I made for her with some embroidery and beading. Everyone tends to gravitate towards it.

So I was commissioned to make a silk painting for my cousin. Honoring her heritage and something that is close to me, i chose the subject matter of "the day of the dead". A little more of why I chose this is for the symbolism it has to honor the ones that have past. I adore the concept and did a lot of research before starting the project.

So i started sketching my heart out. The sketch is on a 40" x 40" conjured piece of drawing paper. (As you can see I masked a few pieces together.) I chose the skulls and different flowers they use to celebrate

 

Once I had finalized my sketch it was time to map it out in permanent marker.

 Here's what the final looked like. The next step was to make the stretcher. Elastic and some staples. Bent t-pins were used to secure and stretch it. Take the stretched silk and lay it over the drawing with permanent marker. I used a water soluble resist to trace the lines. ( In the first try I tinted the lines with black and outlined everything that was drawn.)

 Testing my way through techniques I had learned in school, I slowly reacquainted myself with the techniques. Salt will draw up color where water will disperse the colors. I found with the details on the silk with resist that it prevented me from having exact lines. The resist was watered down some from tinting and in the end I did not like the outcome that had given it aesthetically. 

So this is where the trial ended. While some parts were visually pleasing, I found other parts were missing something. That's why it's always important to sample, sample, sample. So finally here's  what I came up with:

 I used two coats of colors in some areas to make them more vibrant. Once everything has dried (I left mine for a day or two due to work.) Iron it on the proper settings to heat set the color. Wash out the resist thoroughly. It kind of soaps up but no color washed out. Also, the salt will wash out/off at this point in time too. To dry silk, I iron it on a low heat setting to have it flat and smooth. Silk can be tricky to work with.

I left off some of the more intricate line details so I can embroider them on to give it some texture. I'm also going to add some beads for more texture and some detail accents.  Once that's accomplished I'll give some detail photos.

Who What Where are YOU?

I am KATE.

My Mission is to post my adventures, experiments, crafts, art and processes to you.

I'm not a professional of any kind but one day I do hope to be with all the knowledge I have within all the disciplines I've dabbled in.

I went to ECU in Greenville, North Carolina and studied Textiles. I got my BFA in the summer of 09. I would say so far, these were the best and worst years of my life. I wish they were longer. With that, I want to go back to school for more torture of some kind.

I moved home after completing school to be closer to my family. While I was born and raised in Southern Maryland, I now reside in Baltimore County.

I'm 26 and as a friend said today: "You have an amazing desire to... Live. That's the best word I can think of. You have a fire inside that will never die. You will never get comfortable or jaded, always searching for what's better for your life... all good stuff."

Just trying to adjust and continue to evolve. Searching and finding my way...

Textiles? What does that mean?

Well, I'm glad you asked. I don't have a degree in fashion. It is in surface design. The textiles art work that I went to school for includes but is not limited to: screen printing, dying, embroidery, fabric manipulation, weaving, mixed media, some construction, design for industry & pattern design.

Midget Digit

Why?
I have small hands that produce things that make me happy. From baking and cooking to the art work I love (that no one understands but appreciates) to the crafts everyone loves and raves about. These little digits of mine have gotten me this far and haven't failed me yet. They both get me in and out of trouble. Everything I do- I use my hands, so why not share what I'm doing? I have hopes of one day becoming someone like our known bloggers that get support of some kind for the thoughts and processes they provide for production, DIY or even pure entertainment. I want to share with you in hopes you will enjoy the journey, opportunities and successes, as much as I do. It all lies within these Midget Digits. (Oh and I love to do nails- so I will post those too)

Day Two/SITC

Starting a new job is always interesting. Here's my thoughts:

After my previous 7 years at my last job where everyone always came in asking "Kate, What do I do?" in almost any situation to "Hey, I'm Kate, Can you help Me?". Such a different feeling in its entirety. Small obstacles that I overcome and learn to master has me giddy already. I finished all the mandatory learnings. YAY! (As if i didn't stare at a computer screen long enough today.) Shorter day than expected but can not complain about that at all. Its so weird going into a new company that is so different than your previous. It was time to move on!

Sunday in the Country! 9/16/12 Merriweather Post Pavillion

This is me. I got myself ready way too early in the morning for Kate standards. AKA 830. Showered the night before so the hair curling was my effort to be looking put together for the day. Of course forgot make-up. I feel as though as women we go through phases or ALWAYS wear it or NEVER wears it. Sunglasses it was.

 

Always come prepared with the pop-up tailgating tent and beach chairs for the taking. The kids got together the grill, food and anything else we needed... toilet paper.

Kate Fackt: after waiting in line for a bit bursting at the seams we decided to try to make it out into the woods. Seeing as we had waited as long as possible to use the restroom we hiked into the woods after we made it all the way back to the car to find said toilet paper. Next time we had to go-- Sheet over two doors open. TEAMWORK BABY.

To your Right you will find Steph finding her woodlands wounds from her poorly chosen tree.

 This lovely character is Jenn. My lovely drinking out of a mug that was twice the size of her head. But it did the trick! She was my partner in crime for the evening/day. Definitely had some bonding time- and by some I mean most the day. At the end I greatfully said "Thank you for not being that crying girl over there." She politely responds with an "I told you so". Jenn's much improved!

"The Kids" and I
(R to L: Jenn, Me, Stephanie and Chris)

These kids are what keeps me young- or just makes me even older from the stress.  But they got me out to enjoy what was available. The weather was beautiful all day- a little chilly at night. But perfect for the occasion.

This is the group across from us that was quite wild. They invited us to play some flip cup. The gentleman in the plaid (right after this was taken) ran around the table, fell and broke his nose. Well, he at least made it bleed severely by falling and face-planting behind a truck. I can't talk because I did crack the screen of my phone from less than knee height about five minutes after this experience.

A little bit of apple hate:

My computer i bought when I went away to college. This was in 2006/2007. Well my awesome macbook that I bought and have upgraded to the newest technology will not accept the new Mountain Lion OS. Only because of the date I purchased the computer. My iPhone, iPad talk perfectly... my macbook and I are having some issues. I'm pretty bummed. There's gotta be a way to have access to my photo stream without the new OS and iLife 11. Just Grr to that. I was always so proud I had all apple products and everything was so integrated and had no issues with anything. Steve Jobs, you're letting me down-- if only you were alive, you could fix this!!!! I'm going to have to save $1500 for a new mac on top of all my other wants. :/

New Goals

After a long time of debating on what I'd like to do with myself, I have come to a conclusion that I need to let others know everything that I'm up to. A manager of mine once said, "Kates crafty she makes clothes and stuff. She can make anything!" Its nice to be recognized for the things I do and accomplish. Now it is time to share it with everyone else. 

Lately I've been re-doing my home. Just moved and started to paint and finally make it home. I feel I've done a pretty good job so far. I have changed the curtains and got another throw pillow. New photos will come tomorrow. 

Painting walls different colors and dying old blankets made this transition so easy.

The living room is still a bit of a mess but the tv is hung and about to be complete. I need to hide some wires and touch up the walls but that reveal will be when it's all complete. 

It is about that season for knitting and crocheting. Can't decide on my first project of the year. To make for others as requested or to experiment. I guess I could start with things that might make me some extra money so I can start the my project life (as I ran across here). Just need some funds for the materials for the sleeves. I'm rather excited by the idea of this project.

Also I'm trying the 30 day journal project. (the link where i ran across it first. I was very inspired so I had to find the origins.) On to day three and pretty excited for the thoughts that are running through my head. Art journaling has been good for me within the last three days.

I also just started listening to Jazz music. As recommended by a good friend. He let me sign into his pandora and take a listen. Very relaxing. I like to draw to it at night.

Went to Sunday in the Country this weekend. That was an experience. It could have been better but I'm glad the people I went with had fun. ::edit:: I look like my younger cousin Corie in this picture and reminds me a little of home. I do not look this young normally.

Finally, started a new job yesterday. Being on the bottom of totem pole is another whole experience that I've forgotten about. Guess I gotta put in my dues to make it to the top.

::edit:: added link from when I first ran across the 30 day journal challenge and became inspired.