Synapses

Synapses is built from synthetic fabrics I tied several hundred pie weights and other smallish but durable items into.  I then colored the fabric via a dye sublimation technique which I altered by boiling the fabric rather than steaming it.    I cut the fabrics apart, arranged them on a hand dyed ground and stitched and embroidered the elements into  place.  I wasn't happy with that dark green ground fabric so I cut away most of it leaving just the dimensional form.  What do do???  I pulled out a roll of garden netting and 6 layers later, voila!   Once the sleeve was in place the piece was finished. Kind of looks like the creepy, crawly things you might find on that garden netting if it were outside.

Torn Web

Using one of my ice-dyed fabrics as a substrate, I built the web from partially unwoven,  hand dyed cheese cloth.   I then appliqued "rosettes" of synthetics I'd colored by means of dye sublimation and appliqued the bundled strips.  Its creator - the spider - seems to have left the scene, possibly through those embroidered circles which lead, I think, to hidden passageways!

 

des Iles Flottantes

This cloud-like piece was made by tying well over 100 poker chips into the satin which I had dyed in this fabulous range of silvery grays and "steaming".  And by "steaming" I mean BOILING since I don't have a steamer.   Lots of experimentation beforehand!   Then, using the "wrong" side, I hand stitched pieces of my dyed cottons in the wells.   Wish I could sleep under this fluffy quilt but it's a bit too small  - only about 42" long.  It's called des Iles Flottantes after the dessert (meringue and creme anglaise) which was named for actual floating islands.