tea dying, fire, & more give away!
As I sat my tea-dyed pillows outside to dry in the hot sun, I noticed some ugly black clouds rolling in. I figured I had some time before my pillows had to come inside before it started to rain or the wind would start blowing...as it would happen, the pillows didn't get to stay outside hardly at all when the lightning started...and then....
this happened. Almost just that quick. We saw the lightning touch down and then in no time at all this fire. This morning it is still burning, and it's pretty smokey outside. And there is a chance of more lightning today. So my day will be mostly dedicated to watering down our hillside as much as possible, and also I will be packing up and sending all the pillows, and some artwork.
Now back to tea dying:
Here is my tutorial for a tea bath:
4 qts. water in large pot
8 tea bags
1 cup of french press coffee
Boil water drop in tea bags, remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. Add the french press coffee ( or any kind of strong coffee). Stir. Add you items to dye and let sit in bath until you achieve the color you are desiring.
Carefully remove piece, let cool to touch, then ring out tea water. I don't run through cold water, although I know some instructions do. I leave mine as is and then dry.
Three ways to dry:
1. Lay out flat in the sun - this achieves some really pretty coloring.
2. Place in preheated 150 degree oven and let dry. This method you can really get a lot of aging streaks, and to add more aging, before drying, sprinkle on a little instant coffee crystals on your piece, then dry.
3. Dry in dryer until dry.
Hope you give it a try, and let me know your results! :)
Now for yesterdays winner for my art print a day giveway: ALLIE!
Please keep playing for the print giveaway! :) There are 3 more days left. And for those of you who are new; I am giving away a print from my Etsy shop; one a day until Friday. Thanks everyone so far, it's been so much fun! :)
Also, my daughter has opened a sweet little Etsy shop, selling some really cute prints. Check it out here! I love the Russian Dolls, they are adorable. Also at her other fine art Etsy shop; she is offering custom portraits!
Teresa
I came over from Daisy Cottage. Love the art you did for Kim. I pray that you and your community stay safe from the fires. I love your blog.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | July 02, 2008 at 07:03 AM
Wow - the fire's speed is alarming. I am praying for it to be contained quickly and for your safety. Thank you for the tea tutorial - my attempts have always been trial and error (mostly error). So I am happy to try this. Such cute pillowcases.
Posted by: Vicki K | July 02, 2008 at 07:22 AM
That is scary! I hope your home and land is okay. Be safe.
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | July 02, 2008 at 07:35 AM
gorgeous work! i added your shops to my etsy faves list.
stay safe!
Posted by: lulusparkles | July 02, 2008 at 07:50 AM
That's so much fun that I know your winner for today!! How lucky is she!!!
Lightning can be so dangerous and especially in dry areas...hope you manage to stay safe and keep your ground as wet as needs be.
Love your artwork!
Posted by: sherry | July 02, 2008 at 08:05 AM
What a frightening photo! Stay safe. You and your neighbors are in our prayers. On a lighter note, THANK YOU for selecting me as your winner today.....if kitchen walls could talk, there would be quite a ruckus! *smile*
~Allie
Posted by: Allie | July 02, 2008 at 08:12 AM
I love your blog. Oh my those fires are wicked. Stay safe, ginny
Posted by: Ginny | July 02, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Boy Oh Boy do I love looking at your blog! Thanks for the tutorial on the tea staining! I can't wait to try it! Have you tried it on printed fabrics? Or would that be bad?
Posted by: Kevan | July 02, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Oh Teresa, I do hope that the firemen can contain the fire, please stay safe!! I love these teastained fabric pieces. They have a beautiful look to them ~ thank you so much for sharing your recipe and instructions! xxoo, Dawn
Posted by: Dawn | July 02, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Hi Teresa,
Stay safe and take care of yourself.
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa Powers | July 02, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Wow, that is scary, to say the least. I pray that the Lord's protection will be around you, your family and your home. God bless!
Posted by: Rusty Cottage | July 02, 2008 at 09:56 AM
I also came over from Daisy Cottage. You do beautiful work!
Posted by: Stephanie | July 02, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Our prayers are for your safety.
/we have had fires in the Dismal Swamp here in Virginia for the last month also started by lightening and have lived with the smoke that catches your breath
thick as fog on some days. Stay safe
Beverly
Posted by: Beverly Cox | July 02, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Wow, that was some picture, unbelieveable, I hope it gets contained soon. We've had the same problems here in Northern Ca. I love your new single dress form.. can't wait for my order to come.. please enter me again. Im just gonna keep trying.. Have a wonderful evening.. Kathy H.
Posted by: Kathy Hansen | July 02, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Hope the fire gets put out quickly!
Hugs,
Penny
Posted by: Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio | July 03, 2008 at 01:52 AM
Hope those fires go out SOON! That's scary! I've never seen anything like that before around where I live.
I am so glad I found you again! (I was over at Daisy Cottage.) I LOVE your notecards (I bought one from you about a year ago on etsy that had a bicycle with a basket of flowers on it. ) I'm off to check your etsy right now!
Happy Fourth!
Posted by: Beachy | July 03, 2008 at 05:39 AM
What a fun idea! I would love to win one of your lovely prints! Glad I found you (- thru Feathered Nest)
juno
xx
Posted by: juno | July 03, 2008 at 07:16 AM