Silk Dyeing Workshop

Beth and I drove in to Artists Emporium in Winnipeg to take a silk dyeing workshop. There were eight participants and half of us were from our Fibre Arts Divas group!!

Here are the basic steps:

1.  Fold your silk cloth and use plastic clothes pins, elastics, chop sticks, etc to hold the fold and create lines on the cloth as it dyed. 

2.  Soak in soda ash mixed in water. This is a mordant that allows the fibres to accept the dye. 

3.  Apply dye. We used squeeze bottles. The instructor provided dozens of colours!!

4.  Let the cloth soaked in dye sit for 12-24 hours. We put each of our pieces in plastic bags and brought them home. 

5.  Rinse in cold, and then hot water until it runs clear. Wash in hot water with synthrapol or other dye fixing detergent. The piece should now be fixed and ready to wear. 

Sunrise Opening

Sunrise Credit Union built a brand new building in Brandon. The grand opening was very nice, complete with food and beverage kiosks throughout the building to celebrate the opening. 

The building is very well designed two story office building. The decore is nicely chosen. I loved the office desk that is able to raise and lower with the push of a button. This office and desk is great for any staff with back issues or anyone wanting to spend less time sitting. 

Of course there were the usual speeches and a ribbon cutting. Harry spoke as CEO, a lady from Credit Union Central presented a painting and the mayor of Brandon welcomed them to the city.  Don spoke as he is the chair for Sunrise Credit Union. 

Glenn and Annette won the door prize. Very nice event!

Fibre Art Divas Meeting

Seven of us met at Geesje's house to have our monthly fibre art meeting. Val, Susan and Leslie drove out from Winnipeg; Annette came from St Claude and Beth and I drove from Holland/Treherne. 

Geesje has the entire basement of her home as a studio. Gorgeous open space with lots of light, and a wet dyeing area as well! We were all envious. 

Of course sharing our latest works was fun!!  Here are some of them!

Cavalia Odysseo

Wanda, George, Leah, Don and I attended Odesseo, an amazing theatrical experience, an ode to horse and man that marries the equestrian arts, awe inspiring acrobatics and high tech theatrical effects. Odysseo is set under a 125 foot tall White Big Top, using more than 65 horses, an international cast, a real carousel and a lake that magically appears in front of a stunning video backdrop the size of three large cinemas.

Wow!! 

Delta Beach

Visited Janet and Randy at their cottage at the Far West Beach at Delta. It turned out to be a gorgeous day. We walked west to a fort made out of dead trees from the flood. The we walked easy to the public beach and then further to Pat and Brent's for drinks. Back to Janet and Randy's for BBQ supper. Great day!!

Meeting Brielle

Traveled to Metigosh on the long weekend to visit Donna and Norm. The weather was cool and rainy do we did not get out on the lake, but we did sit outside in front of the propane heater. 

Donna and Norm have built a beautiful home on the lake. Three years ago they torn down their cottage and began building a permanent home there. Gorgeous!  I gave them a piece of my fibre art as a house warming gift. 

We were happy that their daughter, Mallory, and her baby, Brielle, were able to visit at the same time. Brielle has adorable red hair and a sweet round face. I got some baby time!  A real treat!!