A Warm Dark Wandering

Contrary to the title this is not a dyeing formula inspired by a nighttime search for the water closet.

It is for this amazing wool:
Over 1/2 yd natural wool using my Majic Carpet Dyes and my wandering dye method.

Toasty Warm Dark Wandering
1/4 tsp. Yellow
1/8th tsp. Orange
1/8th tsp. Blue
1/8th tsp. Blue Violet
3/8th tsp. Black

Join the free Majic Carpet Dye Club for more a cool dark wandering formula - go here and look on the comment wall.
Happy Dyeing

The Manistee Ten - Making Rugs of Distinction

Here is a list I made in 2008 of important key things to think about when you want to hook rugs of distinction.

Know yourself and what you want and like, then do it.

Use a full range of values, that means white and black and every value step between.

Create glow

Create iridescent events

Let the rug tell a story, something happened, something is happening, something is about to happen

Let your rug be meaningful for you

Go beyond expected outcomes

Have new experiences

Don't look to rug hookers to see how or what to hook - this is key!

Try anything you may think of, if you can think it, you can do it.

You CAN do anything you wish, just make a start, you have to put something in to know what to take out.

Time to blossom

I'm not sure you know what you are capable of.

I think you extend yourself only so long as it feels comfortable.

Sometimes you even put on the appearance of others to sop in their "significance"

Where are you? Are you in there?

It's time to come out and play.

Who cares if you fail or incur some criticism?

Isn't that just part of being authentic?

Even the most boring and goofed up display or version of yourself is leagues greater than a copy of someone else.

Be your own magician,hero or idol.

Don't look up to others, look up to yourself.

You are right there waiting to blossom.

Dyeing in a Wanderful Way

Today on The Welcome Mat we are trying something brand spanking new in Dyeing Matters.
Look at my results:


We are doing it two ways.... two videos full of great, fun instructions and lots of photos and I answer all your questions.
I can't wait to hook this up!
(You know Vim is a great product, just saying....)

Wanna get you some of that?
Join us here.

Rug Show TODAY In Owen Sound, Ontario

some of my gorgeous co-ordin8s

I'm sitting here writing to you when I should be getting my presentable on. I'm vending at the Lee Manor Rug Show. You should see the amazing beauties I'm bringing and that is just my wonderful assistant (what a stupid word to describe her) saviour.
We've got wool, wool, lovely piles of wool and more and even more!

Tons of Majic Carpet dyes, Wandawear, nylons, handspun, hand dyed yarn, my rugs to see and even some great deals.

Yes I'm bringing my famous Flesh Pot

Ok here the blurb, the who, what whenfor and where, no one needs to ask why do they? It's all for the love of hooking!!!!

You are invited to attend The Lee Manor Rug Show March 29th, 2015.

It will be held from 12:00 until 4 pm at the Lee Manor Nursing Home Auditorium, look for the signs.

There is a tea room, rugs to see and vendors Cozy Nook, WandaWorks, Freda McDonnell, and Holly McLay to date. There will be cutter and scissor sharpening available.

Admisson $3

875 6th St. E Owen Sound Ontario.

See you there!

Wanda

PS am I the only person you know who takes a dressmaker's dummy with her everywhere she goes?

Dyeing For Simple Formulas?

Today is dyeing day on The Welcome Mat.

We are focusing on simple ways to increase our number of dye formulas, a safe way to depart from dye books!

These beauties are the contents of my article, products of the three main dye companies hookers use.  

I'd like to share a Majic Carpet formula with you.

I think this colour would make an interesting background.

Soft Gill Algae

note: it is a little lighter in real life

1/8th yd of natural wool in a microwave dye bath method ( you can use any dye bath method)

Soft Gill Algae

1/128th tsp. Chocolate Brown

1/128th tsp. Moss Green

Happy dyeing!

March! Already

March is a month unlike any other as it has a directive for action built right in!
March requires movement.

Yesterday I compiled my plans for the month, will I be able to do it all?
Who cares? So what if I don't?
At least I have written down what needs to be done, all in one place and can stop juggling them in my mind. When I drop a ball in that dark chasm, it is often lost for several woolly days.


Every other week on The Welcome Mat I produce formulas just like I do for Rug Hooking Magazine, using all three main dye companies.
On opposing weeks I post my past articles which are now free from contractual agreement.

There are new fresh things and great stand bys too. The best thing?
 I'm right there to answer your questions when you ask them.


Last week I published some terrific formulas there that just happened to be among the first I wrote.
I was dyeing for this rug, My English Garden.

Here are a couple for you to try. You will see at the bottom the original swatch samples, If you'd like to make a swatch of this formula use 1 cup of water total.
If you would like to make a swatch that will actually shade something well use twice as much dye in each jar. This is what will make a perfect value gradation according to the gray scale. Why settle for something less?
I learned this the hard way. Double every jar!  It doesn't matter which measure you start at 1/32 to 1/4 or even 1/2 tsp ( you will need more dye) the next one should be double- 1/6th , 1/2 or 1 if we are considering our examples.

Method

All samples are dyed over 1/8th yd of natural or white wool.

I dye all my samples in the microwave, I start with boiling water from the stove kettle. I pour 6 cups of water into an 8 cup receptacle.

I add the dye, the wet wool, stir well by pushing the wool back and forth through the water.

Cook for two one minute intervals on full power then half power, stir well and do it again.

Stir again add a small amount of acid. If fine grained use about 1/32 tsp. If coarse grained use about 1/4 tsp. Stir wool some more .

Process for one more  interval.

The water should be clear, if not leave dye receptacle standing with a news paper lid for 10 minutes or so.

Rinse well, dry the way you like!

Thorn Shine - Majic Carpet  I love this colour

1/32 tsp. Reddish Brown

1/32 tsp. Blue

Here it is in light to dark samples

Rosdelion Majic Carpet 

1/32 tsp Chocolate Brown

1/32 tsp. Yellow

1/2 inch damp round toothpick of Orange 

1/2 tsp. damp round toothpick of Moss Green

Samples:

I've already used Rosedelion up in my Journal rug!

That is on it's way to being done hooray!

For another beautiful formula from this collection go to The Majic Carpet Club

A Wiarton Valentine

Gather love, give it.

Be happy

Hey You!

How are you doing?
I've been quite busy here, our online class about Snow and Ice Dyeing is going well, we are at the "what more can be done stage" That's always such an expansive part of online classes!
You can join this class or any one, anytime over at WandaWay Studio, we stress low cost interactive online teaching of terrific quality.

I'm on Day 25 or my January Journal.

Our wonderful new grandson arrived last week too.

I bet you are looking for some new recipes for Majic Carpet Dyes. Here are a few lovelies, for the rest of the article, join The Welcome Mat, there are dozens of unseen made for The Mat only recipes for our dyes and more built every week. What are you waiting for?

Here are some lovely formulas inspired by Home Decor:

Method:

All samples have been dyed over 1/8 yd. wool, Dorr natural in the dye bath method. Directions below.

I used Majic Carpet dyes. 

Wet wool with wetting agent.

Dissolve dye in boiling water.

Place both in a dye bath in pot on stove.

Heat 

Wait until almost all the dye is absorbed, add 1/32 tsp. Citric Acid

Wait 5 minutes 

Do not stir

Wait until all colour is gone from dye bath, rinse, dry.

Hook happily

Dirty Unsexed Baby Yellow

 1, 1/2 inch of damp toothpick Yellow

1/2 inch of  damp toothpick Seal Brown.

 Melted Creamsicle

1/32 tsp Orange

1/256th tsp.Chocolate Brown 

1/256th tsp Seal Brown

 

Brown Back

3/32 tsp. Chocolate Brown

1/32 tsp. Seal Brown

1/64 tsp. Blue Violet

Online Dye Class Starts Soon!

My online classes include interaction from me from start to finish and speaking of starting we are commencing to proceed in two days but you can start any time during your two months access.

Dyeing With Ice Cubes and Snow

It's time to make use of this:

And this:

 in a beautiful way to create this. 

I used Cushing Dyes to create this sample.

Bring my Jan / Feb 2015 article in Rug Hooking Magazine to life by participating in our online class.

It's fun, fascinating and you'll have fantastic, unique wool to hook!

Join now right here.

Only $25

Golden Goose and Dyeing with Ice and Snow Online Class

Yellow really can be like a ray of sunshine to lift our spirits. Do you use or wear yellow much? Does it appear in your spinning or hooking?

I love to have a big stack about 2 ft tall or more of 1/2 yds of different yellows to choose from.
We like to look through and audition them for just the right one to play the required role and not steal the show!

Perhaps you don't dye? Then you can still benefit from a splendid array of yellows, take a  look at my collection - The Lemon Grove... good enough to eat!

Over 1 yard of assorted yellows!

Go straight here to buy it!

Here's a golden goose from The Welcome Mat's Dyeing Matters column for you to try.
I've just posted over 12 recipes for other beautiful yellow there today, Wednesday is our dyeing day!

Our sample below is dyed over 1/8th yd of natural wool. I wet the wool. I dissolved the Majic Carpet dyes together in boiling water, poured them into the barely heated dye bath, added the wool raised the heat, pushed the wool through the water vigorously and waited until the water almost cleared to add 1/32 tsp citric acid or 1 tbsp vinegar. Wait until water clears or as long as you see fit.

Rinse well.

Please use my Yellow dye in a no acid dye bath for the best result, adding too much acid or any until the water is almost clear can retard the dye take up. Not all acid dyes require the same level of acidity.

Golden Goose

1/32 tsp Yellow

1/128th tsp. Seal Brown

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Online class starting in 8 days!!!!

From The Land of Ice and Snow!

Did you read my article in RHM lately?

You too could make this beautiful wool.

Are you interested in trying something new and fun in an online class, join The WandaWay Studio , it's free and sign up for a great lesson on Dyeing with Ice and Snow, there is plenty to discover! Wool turns out beautiful and unique each time. Class costs only $25 for 2 months access.

Loving The Purple

I can't wear it but I still love it. With the right colours it can be an amazing neutral!!!!

I used it in my September Vogue Rug as binding.

Deep Dark Lavender

½ tsp Blue Violet

1/16^th tsp. Blue

Method:

Wet wool with an additive such as shampoo, Jet Dry or Synthrapol to prepare it to dye.  Heat a receptacle of water to dye in, for the smooth dyeing of ¼ yd use approx. 1 gallon of water.  Add dye formula into the dye bath, making sure it is dissolved.

 Add wool. Heat at simmer for several minutes stirring for smooth application of dye. Add in 1/32 to 1/4tsp citric acid depending how dark the colour, about 10 minutes into the process or until most of the dye is taken up. The latter is what I do. Continue heating until the water is perfectly clear or per your own directives.  Rinse well, use dryer or hang to dry.

Make your own divine purple velvetness with Majic Carpet Dyes.
Join us in The Majic Carpet Club for more on Purple.
Join The Welcome Mat to read this week's Dyeing Matters column published on Wednesday's and all the previous columns published - a treasure trove!

Hookers Can Journal Too

Recently I've noticed we want to read less and less, I hope you will take a minute to read some suggestions on successful hook journalling.

For over 15 years I've hooked a journal rug once a year, sometimes twice a year!

They have come in all shapes and forms inspired by very diverse things.

The Welcome Mat members accept the challenge and hook along with me.

I see wonderful growth in myself and in those of us crazy enough to do this.

So much learning about colour has come from these projects for me.

I love the daily "date" of it , the "reason " to sit down and hook and with abandon!

I love exploring thoughts and symbols and what happens when I don't have a clue what will come about.

Circle of Life: 2013 by Wanda Kerr

In A Word 2014 by Wanda Kerr

Trying to do a project like this can shiver your timbers and not from minus bleventy bleven January gale force winds.

It strike a frisson of fear to be completely in charge of what you create.

You are alone are responsible for your creation - freeing and terrifying, invigorating and all at once!

There is no safer way to explore this new path and your ideas than with an equally brave companion of hooking journalers. 

Join us here on the Mat for our journalling project this year centered around 

House and Home. 

You won't regret the small fee, you've paid much more for 1/2 tank of gas.

And this tank will carry you to your heart's desire! 

Here are a few tips to help you journal hook.

There are ways to help you do partake in a daily practice like hooking journals.

Make a date and keep it each day.

Try sitting down at the same time everyday. It helps.

Overcome your avoidance by:

making it pleasant, a cuppa, an audible book, anything that helps

having made preparations and plans the night before you journal, having too look for things can stop you in your tracks

Fixing the runaway train by:

doing it every day, like interest the days pile up pretty quickly and it can seem very expensive to meet 5 payments instead of keeping up with one a day.

Any work towards this project is valuable, draw in if you can't hook it in

Scale your work to the amount of time you will have. Remember, a tiny cut and project doesn't mean it will take less time, it takes the same time to pull a fat loop as a thin one. 

Don't give up hope, ask for help and support from those around you and here.

Let them out!

Does the artist in you rarely come out to play?

What's stopping you from experiencing the joy of self expression?

We are looking at that very topic today in Our Daily Bread on The Welcome Mat.

Do you dream of artistic freedom?

Everyone abides in a prison of their own making.

Why not try exercising your jail busting muscles?

Sign up for our January Journal project centered on the idea of house and home.

Build a beautiful abode for your heart's desire by painting with wool.

Expand what you can do with your mind, heart and hook.

See you there!

January Journal - A Wonderful Way to Spend the Month

There is light shining at the end of the tunnel of winter I promise!

It's almost January Journal time on The Welcome Mat.

This is a wonderful, yearly tradition, we work around a theme and hooking an "entry " each day.

This year our theme's is House and Home. 

How you explore this idea is up to you.

Artists love exploring the idea of house, home and village.

Uptown By Patricia Keeler

You can be highly organized or incredibly chaotic in this work.

It can be simple or complex.

It is for you and up to you alone how it transpires.

You can dream up your fantasy of a house full of wool or one made of it!

You can create a bunting or swag with 31 different little things you wish your home had.

You can build the cottage of your dreams or a new simple house each day.

You can join us right here, it worth joining up to the Mat for.

I help if asked and encourage as much as I can. Great works have been created in our Journal challenge by wool diarists.

"A page of my journal is like a cake of portable soup. A little may be diffused into a considerable portion."

James Boswell

I love this quote because my own journal rugs act very much like this, letting me get in touch with all sorts of amazing untapped creativity that feed me all year long, a rich and thriving wanderland. I wonder what it will do for you?

"Sleeping beautys dream" by Catrin Welz-Stein

So many ways we can to go to traverse this month with our heart filled subject, I can't wait to see what you create.

 Join us Journaling today!

Dyeing Idea Mash Up

We've all made a spot dye....

Or have  pile of them with nothing to do...

Have you ever thought of making a swatch of them?

I have thanks to clever Sue Hamer.

Beautiful fulsome, something else!

You gotta try it!

Beautiful Greens for The Season

It looks like it might be a green Christmas here!

My friends that's better than a blue one!

Here's are some true greens using Majic Carpet Dyes.

Notice the top one looks a little more yellow and the bottom one looks a little bluer.

This is because we are comparing them to each other. 

They are the same value and will blend nicely.

These are great for landscapes.

Method:

Formulas have been mixed together with boiling water, poured in a dye bath over a wet 1/8th yd natural wool. Heat was added, then citric acid or vinegar after about 10 minutes or so. Wait until water clears. Rinse well, dry in dryer or hang to dry. 

To increase to a larger amount of wool go here for my handy chart.

Lawanna 

2/32 tsp. Moss Green 

1/32 tsp Turquoise 

Barb 

1/32 tsp. Bottle Green  

1/32 tsp. Brilliant

1/32 tsp. Moss Green 

1/64 tsp. Seal Brown -it was rather heaping.

Choosing Dyes To Mix and a Beautiful Red

Not all sets of colours make good mixers.
Recently to my surprise I've noticed people employing the red blue green system for subtractive colour use. Don't worry about the use of the word subtractive. That just means using pigments like paint or dye, inks.  It is describing how when we put pigment on something it subtracts some colour from our perception while other colour is left.

The red blue green system is about additive colour. This is the system that operates our computer screens and TV and in stage lighting. These three colours create every colour on a screen. Add them all in and they create white.

We all know when we put all our pigments together in the dye pot we are likely to get black.
These two systems additive ( light ) subtractive ( applied piments)  while both about colour and mixing couldn't be more polar. One theory cannot be applied to the others use.

Using additive colour primaries ( red , blue , green) doesn't get you good full colour wheel results to mix them in a subtractive application, like with our dyes.

If you want to be a full colour array mixer start off with the subtractive primaries that have been successfully in use by visual artists for donkey years.
Turquoise ( Cyan), Yellow, Red Violet ( Magenta) and Black.

The cleaner each of these subtractive mixers are, the better separation you'll get between the colours you can create to make a colour wheel or mix in the dye pot.

You can read more about the comparisons right here.

And that said you can get even more beautiful and expansive colourations by employing the addition of orange, violet and green to these 4 basic colours. Most artworks are reprinted using a 7 colour printer because the colours are more accurate to the original creation.

This full colour use is what I like to employ as a dyer and now a mixer of dyes for sale.
More mixing choices means better colour up to a point.
Our 14 Majic Carpet Dye colours are a great system for artistic and beautiful colour mixing.

They are a bargain right now for US customers because our Canadian $ is weak.... it's like getting 20% off!

Here's a beautiful colour to get your in the mood for Christmas.

Hanchett's Vermont Barn

Hanchett’s Vermont Barn

4/32 tsp. Red

2/64 tsp. Moss Green

1/64 tsp. Chocolate Brown

I dyed this sample over 1/4 yd unless otherwise stated in the recipe. 

I immersed the wet wool in a generous dye bath with the dye solution ( formula ) already added. please add 1/32 tsp of citric acid at after the wool has been swimming with the dye solution for 5 minutes. Heat until water is clear.

Please note red is also very difficult to photograph accurately. I’ve done my best but for certain reds the richness, nor the relative cool or blueness  of them does not show through.