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All Laced Up!

I have spent the last 4 months working on a lace shawl for an art event that I will be in next month. For those of you who know me, I am not a huge fan of lace but I decided to step outside what I love doing and pushed myself to something different.

In doing so, I successfully completed this lace shawl with my hand dyed yarn and I love it. Now I am in the process of designing a sweater pattern. I'll keep you all posted on my next project soon.




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Blending Colors

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design
I have been spending the last couple of weeks focusing on dyeing yarn that I have dyed before and for the most part I have been successful. However, there is one color combination that I absolutely adore that did not work well. I blended orange, purple, and green which in the past becomes this bright starburst candy color.
Instead of those colors, I ended up getting very neutral lighter shades if green, browns, cream, and reds after it was all blended together. I was disappointed at first as I had a new knitwear design pattern that I'm creating and wanted to use the original blended colors I had in mind but I later discovered as I was knitting with the yarn that it actually blended well and looked wonderful knitted up.
Long story short, I truly believe in the quote from the movie Forest Gump: "Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what your gonna get."

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Location:Boston

Doing it Big!

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

Yes...doing it BIG is what Lady Dye is doing. I am thrilled to be able to create some amazing hair pins and headbands with my hand-dyed and hand-spun yarns. For a while I have been contemplating how to expand my fiber arts business and as a woman with this amazing Afro :)I found it suiting to expand into hair accessories for women and men from all different backgrounds who are not only proud of their hair but believe in my new hair motto:  the BIGGER. the BOLDER. the BETTER! About six years ago, I made the decision to go natural with my hair and I have not looked back. It was one of the best decision I have made in my life and I feel true and honest with myself and confident in my own identity. I want other women and men to feel the same way. Besides, I sometimes feel our society has been so conservative when it comes to what's acceptable for hair accessories. Lady Dye is here to say yes! It's acceptable to have knitted decorations in your hair! From one big hair to the other!



Color Palette at Work

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design


I am sorting through my inventory for the last couple of days and I was really inspired by the array of colors that I had created the past 6 months. Although most of that inventory has been sold which makes me very happy, I am always producing more yarn each week. After looking at my inventory I have realized how much I enjoy mixing my color palette up with color combinations that make you think outside the box. I really have found my niche for my color and it's because I have taken the time to find inspiration from modern and contemporary artists but also I am trying to spend more time going on excursions locally to find interesting materials and people wearing amazing colors. I don't like to boast about these accomplishments but I have seen a progression in my work that I am extremely humbled with. As crafters and artist, we need to continue to evolve in our own crafts. Sometimes you have to go against what you have always been comfortable producing in order to create new and innovative artwork and crafts.

Check this one out!

Why not another one to show you!

Crafting for the Holidays

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

I have spent the month of November preparing for my holiday craft fairs this month and I have to say it was so exciting to be able to do more craft fairs this month and to see the amazing and talented crafters in Boston. I have been spending the last week or so dyeing and spinning yarn and I wanted to share with all of you some of the completed hand-dyed and hand-spun yarns I have done.

I am getting ready for the vibrant colors of spring and summer

 I call this Batman as I used black and yellow food coloring which blending into amazing colors.



Opportunity of a Lifetime

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

Last month I had an opportunity to meet one of the most famous knitwear designers of our time, Nicky Epstein, at Newbury Yarns. Newbury Yarns has recently moved to a new location and as part of the re-opening, Nicky Epstein was there to meet and greet knitters but also to do a private workshop with individuals. She was a really nice and a witty woman who signed all of my books.

What I really appreciated the most about the experience, was how open Nicky was to questions about not only what I was working on but also willing to discuss more in detail of the books she had written. In particular, as she signed the book Knitting in Tuscany, she talked about the recipes that she decided to put in the book as well as her experience traveling through Italy. I truly valued that experience and look forward to meeting her again one day. Until then, I will keep my signed autographed books and hope the she blogs or writes about me in her next book in regards to the lovely hand-dyed yarns of mine that I had give to her the day we met :) Happy knitting everyone!

Expanding My Creativity

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

I have finally removed all the dust from my beautiful sewing machine a couple of weeks ago in hopes that I would soon find just a little glimpse of time in my very busy schedule to finally learn to sew. I thought I could teach myself but it just did not work for me so I signed up for a class at The Eliot School where I work for a beginner's sewing class. I love it! I have made a pillow and a bag in my first three weeks of class. I am now taking on the challenge to make something by using a pattern. I am truly thrilled about the future prospects of sewing my own clothes the way I want them to be designed. With that being said, I believe, as artists it is very important to not only be skilled in your own crafted but also to take the time to explore others. You never know what will come of it!

My yarn bag that I made is truly a giant tote bag. I am looking forward to filling it with my beautiful hand dyed yarns for the winter!

My pillow I made during my first day of class and now it's on my bed as my reading pillow.

This is what I will be working on next for my friends who will be expecting a bundle of joy!

Eliot School Fashion Show

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

Friday, September 30, 8:00 PM
Doors open at 7:30 PM
First Church UU, 6 Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain MA
Tickets $10 at the door or at http://www.eliotschool.org/

Celebrate Fall Fashion week with a community flair. The Eliot School in Jamaica Plain fetes lead sewing teacher Carol Price with an array of her sophisticated designs and exotic prints. Her students will also show their work. The Fashion Show brings the community together, featuring local models and businesses. Local hat purveyor Salmagundi will contribute hats and accessories.

The Fashion Show builds on the successes of the Sewing and Fiber Arts Department this year at the Eliot School, which offers classes for all ages at its Jamaica Plain schoolhouse. Carol Price grew up in Dorchester and learned to sew at age 8 from her dad, a tailor. Thin and tall, she excelled at altering, then creating her own clothes. She has taught at the Eliot School since 2005.

What sets her apart from this year’s Fashion Week designers? “I like to say that the ability to sew empowers me to express my individuality. Being able to sew frees me from the mainstream.” Ms. Price designs apparel, handbags, drapes, pillows and dolls.

This event is sponsored by The Boston Foundation through its Action Fund.
A reception will follow next door at the Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts, 24 Eliot Street, with live jazz by The Handy Experience. Refreshments will be served.

Good Times in Maine

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

Last month, I took a trip to Maine with my friend Shelley from my knitting group to visit our other knitting friend, Alice, who has a gorgeous lakefront cottage. I had such a great time being able to relax for a couple of days since my summer has been so hectic. Not only is Maine beautiful for it's landscape, but also there most notable yarn shop, Spunky Eclectic.

I have always wanted to go visit Amy's store and boy did I have a blast! Tons of fiber every where, spinning wheels, drop spindles and more fiber galore. Unfortunately I was so excited about what was in the store that I did not really take a picture of the goodies inside but I did make a purchase. This yarn shop is definitely a place for all those who love to spin yarn and weave. Here's a couple of pictures from my trip in Maine.

My purchase

The view from our lake front cottage where we stayed

The cottage

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Planting Seeds

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

Are you enjoying your summer! We are all out there spending time with family, going on vacation, catching up on our reading book club, and of course working. I have had a very busy summer thus far with my work that pays the bill and the work that feeds my passion. In the mist of it all, I have had a couple of minutes this week to take a step back from the four-letter word and focus on something new that I have now successfully done and that is gardening.

Yes ladies and gentleman, the work now that makes me get down and dirty in the ground allows me to plant my seeds and grow. I enjoy watching my basil, cherry tomatoes, and chard blossom each week and look forward to my radishes to come up.

With that being said, I encourage everyone to take a step back from what you are doing this summer and find something new to do. As artist, we are in our studios working on our craft to get ready for the holidays or we are busy each week getting ready for a show. Just be cognizant that there’s always something new out there to learn from. Enjoy your summer!

The little garden

The basil is growing fast!

2011 Boston Bazaar Bizarre Union Made Show

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

Come join Boston Handmade members for the 2011 Boston Bazaar Bizarre Union Made Show at Union Square in Somerville. The fair is open to the public from 12:00-6:00 pm. As the weather gets warm and school gets out next week, come join us for a showcase of crafts, music, demos and more.

Here are the Boston Handmade members who will be participating in the show. We hope to see you all there!

City by the Sea Ceramic

Lilies Hokusai Handpainted Ceramic Tray

Cody's Creation

The black and red Sugar Skulls ribbon

Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

St. Patty's

Merriweather Council

Create

Art in the Street

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

I am spending the next couple of weeks out in California and during my first full day in Long Beach, my good friend Dee and I took a trip out to Los Angeles to see and incredible art exhibit on graffiti art. The exhibit was titled Art in the Streets. Art in the Streets is part of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and is the first major historical exhibit of graffiti and street art to be organized by and American museum and it shows the origins and history of the movement in the United States and traces its influence as it spread around the world.

I am a huge fan of graff art and to be able to see so many graffiti pieces in one location was absolutely amazing! One of the great parts about the exhibit is not only the pieces of art displayed but the replicas they had displayed of graffiti art sub-culture in New York City, Los Angeles, London, and several other cities around the work. In some areas, you felt as if you were walking right along the streets of these majors cities during the rise of graff art in the 1970s and 1980s.

All I have to say is what and ice cream truck. I would totally get ice cream or candy from here. The art work on this represent the current urban Latino sub-culture of East Los Angeles.

This photo was too large to take in a full shot put someone sketched it in first and then painted it. It's truly an amazing piece of art!

Here are some photos from the exhibit:

Passion.Purpose.Pride

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

We all have something that we are passionate about but you have to find it deep within you. It’s easier said than done but what I will say is that you will be much happier doing what you love and will be more willing to take the risk needed in life to make you happier. Recently I decided to do a career change and focus on my fiber arts business while doing non-profit consulting and it has made me happier in my personal and professional life.

Therefore, I challenge all of you to spend time thinking about what motivates you each morning to get up and do what you love. If you are doing it…keep on keeping on. And if you are struggling, find it within you to take bold risk to do what you love. In the end, no matter what career field you are in, you will create and inner-peace that is beautiful.

Passion. Purpose. Pride.

A Blast from the Past!

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

I attend a celebration party this past Friday and Jessica of Reclaim to You so graciously let me look through her stack of vintage knitting books that Beth of Elizabeth Brennick Designs gave her. I have always been fascinated at vintage knitting patterns. Maybe it's because what they knitted back in the day, isn't so vintage at all but their modeling poses are very fun conversation pieces. While enjoying the fabulous atmosphere of the party and looking through the box of books, I stumbled across a rather interesting letter.

Yes! The President of Bernat Yarns replied back to someone directly in regards to a project that she knitted with the Bernat yarn. I think it's so fascinating as a knitter to find something like this. They actually had experts examine the garment and provide feedback? I love how customer service back in the late 70s was just as important as it is now.

I know there's still quality customer service today but I have found through conversations with other fellow knitters that yarn company and knitting magazines are not as responsive to questions or problems. I will definitely hold on to a copy of this letter as a reminder of the joys of knitting.

Grand Opening of JP Knit & Stitch

By Diane Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

JP Knit & Stitch

March 4th

I am so thrilled there is a local yarn store in my neighborhood again! Although my yarn stash is over flowing at my house, I will definitely add a couple more skeins of yarn to my stash.

To over-dye or not to over-dye…that is the question

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

If it doesn’t work out the first time, try again! That is my motto. I can’t begin to tell you the number of times I have dyed yarn that it did not come out the way that I planned. This may happen to you as well when you work on a craft project that does not seem to go the way that you planned. I dyed this yarn and spun it up. After spinning it all up, I realize the color scheme was not what I had envisioned.

I didn't care too much for the color blend and the brightness of the yarn

So I decided to over-dye the yarn with sky blue food coloring. Remember, if it does not go the way that you planned you can always change it in the middle. When over-dyeing yarn please note that you can only go from a lighter color to a darker color. You cannot go from darker to light but the end result will be beautiful when you do over-dye it.

I just love the blue, purple and the hint of pink and green! Just lovely colors!

I had a wonderful individual, Judy, who purchased this yarn and she made the most amazing wristlets.

Absolutely lovely model!

Got Snow?

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

I’ve never consider myself to be a photographer but I love photograph! I have been inspired late by the snow we have had here in Boston and decided to show that even in Boston you can have a majestic winter. On my way to work, I decided to take photos of my neighborhood covered in snow. Enjoy!

Why go to work when this beautiful branch is waiting for you right outside your window.

Got the T?

Let's play connect the dots!

Wanna go biking?

Happy New Year!

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

Happy New Year Everyone!

January 1st is the day that we set out to make our New Year’s resolutions. For those of you who make resolutions every year and keep them, I congratulate you for your commitment. And for those of you like myself who have struggled in the past to keep your resolutions, I want to provide you with a different perspective.

For the past two years, I have made no resolutions because I find them to be daunting and impossible to commit to each year. I have had friends in the past say, “Diane, just break those long term resolutions down to smaller ones?” This sounded so great but that didn’t work either. So here I was two years ago, in a place trying to improve myself inside and out and not meeting my resolutions.

Therefore, I decide to use my creative mind and made a “Scavenger Hunt” consisting of a list of things I have never done before and I had a year to find people, places, and organizations to complete them. Sounds pretty exciting, eh? Well, for me this scavenger hunt has changes my life for the best inside and out.

Consider these Scavenger Hunt questions:

• Find and item of yours that you are holding on to that you do not need and give it to someone who needs it more.


• Teach a skill to a person that someone taught you how to do.


• Search for a place or person to help you save a minimum of $350 for the year.


• Walk, run, bike, or do any other physical activity for 30 minutes or more to a place you have never been and take photos of that location and share it those images with someone.
  

I challenge you to look beyond the goals and resolutions and view this year as a creative search inside you for learning and teaching new things to yourself and others by seeking out opportunities for change in a different way. The very thing you are trying to resolve may require you to think beyond the obvious and search the unknown in order to make the change within you.

New York Sheep and Wool Festival

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design

In October, I made the journey to Rhinebeck, NY with my best friend and knitting buddy to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival. It was my second time going but this year I went on Saturday instead of Sunday. The New York Sheep and Wool Festival is the Mecca for the knitting community. People from all over the country and world make their way to fairgrounds to see all breeds of animals but mainly to get some good deals on yarn and knitting accessories. Not to mention, this festival is by far the best Fiber fashion show you will every see!

Instead of making it a one day trip, we decided that it would be great to spend the night in Rhinebeck. However, all the hotels were booked months in advance for this special weekend. I guess I was the designated bed & breakfast finder because I spent a week looking up bed & breakfast places for us to stay at all through the Catskill Mountains. Well, I found one in the beautiful city of Purling, NY. We stayed at the Bavarian Inn & Restaurant, a family business. We had so much pre-party fun hanging out at the Inn with drinks and knitting by the fireplace and talking with the locals.

Overall the trip was great and there was so much beautiful scenery all around us I had to take pictures. I did have a great time at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival despite the shoulder to shoulder comfort I received from the thousands of fiber enthusiast who showed up. At first, I thought I was going to buy yarn for my etsy shop however, I left with yarn and roving for myself which felt so great! It has been a long time since a purchased fiber for just for me and I have to say it was money well spent :)

Are long drive to the Catskills Mountain in NY. The different color leaves were all around us and the sky turned blue for just this moment...then it rained the rest of the trip that Friday

The Bavarian Inn & Restaurant where we stayed...it was quite the experience

Having a good time at a local restaurant. I decided that a beverage and knitting made the perfect meal :)

This kid was so adorable! Ms. Llama was the main attaction walking around with all the knitters :)

Our drive home from Boston watching the sun set was amazing! Those look like mountains but they are actually clouds. Truly an amazing sight to see!