Wolf's Den

Maybe I'm being too hard on myself, but the new scarf is a disappointment thus far.

It took 3 tries to get something other than burnt orange, and it's still not a deep red like I wanted, but is more of a scarlet red with darker areas and lighter areas.

I've just started pulling the strings out, only one Kumo design is showing up so far, clearly, the other few are so faint as to be almost nonexistant.

Not happy with it.

Maybe it'll get better when I get it all pulled out and wash it again. Maybe the design will show up better. Who knows.

But right now, I'm not happy with it.

And it was supposed to be a wedding gift. Now, I don't have the time to do another.}:(

I ... just dunno.

From this, the one on the right is the finished scarf. The one on the left is being worked on now...



To this... Scarf was 14"x72" by the way...



To THIS... hard to believe that large of a scarf tied down into something less than a foot long and 3 inches wide...

To soaked in soda ash solution, then dunked in blue Procion MX dyes, allowed to dry, then rinsed and allowed to dry again...



To pulling out the strings, two days later...



To washing again and ironing it flat (this was wet)...



To the finished product. This is Kumo Shibori. This is awesomeness.}:P And makes 5 types of Shibori I have attempted and succeeded in varying degrees.

As yet unnamed, so as yet unlisted.

I dyed 3 silk scarves 2 days ago, 2 Habotai and 1 Crepe De Chine. I was trying for a nice rich golden ecru color. Well, only one of the three came close. This isn't that one. Heh.

One the dyehard email list, they were discussing Shibori and the 'Kumo' or spiderweb method that someone else had a specialized tool for creating this style with. So we were brainstorming how to do this method without that tool.



Yesterday, I asked Mark to stop by the store and pick me up some string on his way home. All he could find was Jute twine. So that's what I'm attempting on one scarf to see if it'll work.



It's a slow process, and I've already given myself a blister. Add to this, the silk is 14" wide and 72" long. This is going to take awhile.



Hopefully it'll all be worth it.

First up is the new scarves.



'Water'
13"w x 68"l
100% Crepe De Chine Silk

* * * * * * *

'Water' is a hand dyed 100% Crepe De Chine silk scarf, carefully dyed in the Arashi Shibori method.

Available HERE or HERE.





'Under the Oaks'
Hand dyed Silk Scarf
11"w x 60"l
100% Habotai (China) Silk

* * * * * * *

'Under the Oaks' is a unique hand dyed and sunprinted 100% Habotai silk scarf.

Available HERE or HERE.





'Boneyard'
Dark Series III
11"w x 60"l
100% Crepe De Chine Silk

* * * * * * *

'Boneyard' is a unique, hand dyed 100% Crepe De Chine silk scarf, that has been carefully dyed in the Arashi Shibori dyeing method, using Procion MX dyes. It was then discharged, and overdyed again with Procion MX dyes, resulting in the unique colors and patterns you see.

Available HERE or HERE.



The following scarves have updated photos...

( Continue... )

Sneak preview of 2 new silk scarves- one in crepe de chine, the other habotai. Hope to have them listed for sale by Monday.

Witching Hour by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

'Witching Hour'
100%Habotai Silk Scarf
8"x56" flat, 6"x56" pleated


Third in my new Dark Series, 'Witching Hour' is an Arashi Shibori, OOAK hand dyed silk scarf, with hand beaded points, using sterling silver seed beads, Fire polished Austrian crystals, silver-grey rounds and silver tone, heavy skull and crossbones charms.

Black as the deepest hour of night, with hints of deep blue and silver from Pearl Ex powder suspended in fabric medium, then dry brushed on and thoroughly steam ironed for durability, this unique piece is perfect for wearing as a neck wrap or even a stylish belt.

Available Here




Northern Lights Silk Scarf by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

'Northern Lights'
100% Habotai Silk
8"x54" flat, 6"x54" pleated

Hand dyed using Procion MX dyes, this gorgeous, OOAK silk scarf was Arashi shibori wrapped, then discharged, then over dyed again, giving it a myriad of depths to the colors.

Within one scarf, you'll see deep navy, blacks, indigos, violets, silvery whites, even pale blues and lavenders in the folds.


Available Here

And finally, the Hand Dyed 100% Cotton Bandanas-


Akita Rescue Bandanas by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

100% Cotton, Hand dyed Banadanas
32" on long side, 21" on short sides
To be hand stenciled with Akita Stencil at ' point', in choice of Silver, or Gold.

These cotton bandanas are lightweight, hand dyed and easy to wear. Perfect length for not only wearing wrapped around your hair, but also as a neck kerchief.

Dyed using Procion MX dyes, and to be hand stenciled day of purchase in your choice of either Silver or Gold.

100% of the proceeds from each bandana sold goes to benefit Akita Rescue.

Your choice of colors-

A- Firey Oranges
B- Bronze and Loden
C- Cinnamon and Clove
D- Vanilla and Plum
E- Turbulant Ocean
F- Oak and Nutmeg

Available Here

more coming soon.

Autumn Splendor by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

This stunning silk scarf is the 1st of the Dante-Inu Commermorative Birth Day Scarves. Only one a year will be released, every November. No two will ever be alike, in coloring or style.


Autumn Splendor, close up by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

ARSF Auction scarf II by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

At nearly any given time, various Akita Rescues ae trying to raise money to offset costs. Relying mostly on donations, you can imagine how difficult this task can be. One type of fundraiser they do is online auctions.

Recently, I donated 2 silk scarves to the ARWNY auction. Well, I put it out there that I could and would, gladly, donate scarves to other Akita rescues who would be interested in some for their auctions.

Akita Rescue Society of Florida (ARSF) recently took me up on that offer. Their auction will be held, online, around the beginning of next month. I will post the direct link when it becomes available so you can bid on these scarves if so inclined.

Remember, all proceeds go directly to the Rescue's funds and aids in the care, and rescue of Akitas in need.

( ARSF scarves )

Remember these scarves?





Well, if you really like them, now is your chance to buy tickets for the raffle in which they will be given away.

Akita Rescue of Western New York is holding it's Annual Akita Picnic/Fun Day on Sept 13, 2008. At this picnic, raffle drawings will be held for a wide variety of Akita related and non Akita related items.

My 2 scarves will be raffled off as a set. You can own these 2, OOAK , 100% Silk scarves, for mere dollars in the grand scheme of things.

So buy your raffle tickets now. Buy LOTS. all proceeds benefit Akita Rescue.}:)

We're buying a good amount and putting them towards the dog bed/toy basket.}:) Our next Akita won't want for toys if we win. Heh.


And remember, these scarves won't be offered up anywhere else. If you want a silk scarf, and want to help a good cause at the same time, there are still Dante-Inu Memorial Scarves available. 2 Silver and 11 Copper. 50% of each sale goes to Akita Rescue.

Managed to come up with a second entry for the Old Church Gallery Quilt Show and the Mountain Comforts XX Quilt Show, both in Oct. Both had been originally started several years ago, one really only needed the binding, then finish quilting to be complete, but like usual , I procrastinated on it. The other, needed everything, except the top made. Heh.



( Quite a few pictures. Large. )

I have 2 new scarves that I just dyed. This is basically a sneak peek at them. There will only be one of each. That means, OOA

Why?

Because there's a catch. They aren't going up for sale at the Shop. These particular scarves for specially dyed for the ARWNY auction this Sept.

So if, you want one, you'll have to go bid on them.

( Peektures... )

Been working on the Memorial scarves. Got all the reserved listed, as well as the extras. Now to wait for them to sell.

Dyed 2 new Habotai scarves for the upcoming ARWNY auction. I decided to do 2 that I haven't already dyed previously, so these are completely new scarves.

I'm thinking January time frame for starting to look for our next Akita. Honestly? The fence doesn't really have to be finished right away. We do still have the lead run up and the pup would, invariably, be inside with me most often. Plus there's the park down the street. It's just, time frame wise, I think that would be a good time to start looking. No upcoming vacations that would leave the pup behind, it'll be nearly a year after Dante leaving us. I think I'll be ready by then. We'll see.

Harvested the first bunch of green beans from the garden yesterday. Not many, but there's lots of baby beans still out there. Have a zucchini growing as well.

The Day lilies went nuts, rather like the Irises did, this year. The Praying Mantis is still occupying the Basil and Salvia out front. The squirrels found the volunteer Sunflower and ripped it out. That'll teach me to not keep the feeders fill. Oops.

Sims started boring me, so I started building houses for awhile. Now I'm trying out a 'poverty challenge', but will post it as a storyline of sorts rather than a legacy. Never could get into the legacy style of writing. Blackblade Clan needs to be updated. The next Chapter is written, just need to figure out what screenshots to use. Been rethinking the plot line for it, and haven't decided if I want to continue with the way I have it in the notes for it, or if I want to streamline it more. May streamline it a bit. We'll see.

Saw 'Hellboy II' last weekend with the bro in law and sis in law. If you like 'Pan's Labyrinth', you'll liked HB II. Very visually pleasing. A little slow in some areas, but it makes up for it. Going to see 'The Dark Knight' this weekend. Hope it's as good as the trailers and such make it out to be. Even if it's not, Christian Bale will make up for it.

It needs to not be so hot, so I can go start digging out where I want the pond to be.

Speaking of ARWNY, they are having their 4th annual picnic the weekend we plan to be in New Jersey. I talked Mark into going, mentioned it to his mom, who told his dad, who said he might be interested in going too. It'll be nice, finally meeting a few of the people I only know via emails and the Akita Rescue list, as well as meeting their Akitas.

Stupidity going on the various Sims2 comms, makes me realize that I really should have stayed a lurker. Oh well. Most I go to for the CC and such, not the scintillating conversations. /sarcasm.

Ok, all reserved scarves have been listed.

There are TWO from Limited Edition Run 1 left. These are the gold ones. They are listed here.

There are NINE from Limited Edition Run 2 left. These are silver. They are listed here.

So, if you want another one, or know someone who might like one, send them on by.

So far, total funds raised for Akita rescue is $215.00. This is counting the scarves that have been purchased, not the ones still reserved. The donation will be sent in once the final RESERVED scarf has been bought. A second donation will be made as the other 11 scarves sell out.

So pass the word! Let's get these 11 scarves sold. Make it so I have to do a third limited run in copper. Let's see if we can get up near 500.00 donated to Akita Rescue in Dante's name.

Ok, all but 2 of the first Run are listed, several sold already.

Gab, and Rottn, yours still need listing yet. They'll be up by Friday.

Dansr, Atypia, and Starsong , yours should also be up by Friday. These are the second Run ones, in silver.

Conscience, I'm hoping to have yours up by this evening, if not sooner.

There are 2 Limited Edition Run 1, in gold left and 9 Limited Edition Run 2, in silver left. Depending on whether they sell in a quick fashion, I may do a third Run in copper. We'll see.

There's no rush to get your scarves, don't break the bank. They are reserved listings for each of you. I am sending the links directly to YOU, so there's no confusion.}:)

Thanks everyone.

Feels like it's been longer, honestly.

Today I go to the vet to pick up her ashes. Mail hasn't run yet, but I'm hoping the urn comes today.

I got the scarves in for Dante's Remembrance Scarves. Had to order more of 2 of the colors of dye, as I don't have near enough. That should be here tomorrow. Still waiting on the stencils. Still waiting on my Abney Park cd, that I ordered nearly a month ago... oh wait, wrong post, sorry.

Waiting... yeah, I'm doing alot of that lately.

Murder and Mayhem by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

I did say I was going dark...

Tree Frog by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

I ordered some discharge powder (Thiourea Dioxide, not bleach) because I need to 'bleach' a scarf I dyed for a new scarf design.

Well, the instructions say to use 'Pro Dye Activator'. I had no idea what that was.

Carol Dean has never done discharging, so couldn't really give any advice on using this stuff, haven't gotten any answers from the dyeing list I'm on, so I went looking on my own(you, know, doing my own research), and lo, and behold...

'Pro Dye Activator' is SODA ASH! Which I HAVE (It's a fixative used in dyeing mainly on cottons to make the dye particles 'strike' better to the fabric and 'sets' the color.).

I feel so damned stupid right now.

I finished the DawnFire scarf last night. Now I need to get some really great photos of it, and get it listed.

This is the last of the 'bright' scarves for awhile too. My dark side wants equal exposure and to that end, I have one scarf dyed, one stweing and one waiting its turn. Need to find certain silver charms for them as well.

We went to the bro in law and sis in law's house for dinner last night. Had chicken alfredo, homemade, with steamed broccoli. Was VERY good and I ended up bringing some of mine home. They had been whispering and being secretive much of the evening while we were there, so I knew something was up. So I was only mildly surprised when they brought out a cake with a birth day candle on it and started singing Happy Birth Day. They gave me a giftcard to Barnes and Noble as well, always a good, foolproof gift for me.}:)

Kat mentioned that the Mom in Law was thinking of taking us all (7 of us) to Disney in Orlando next Feb. For a week long trip. All expenses paid type deal. Seems that taking a plane would be cheaper right now than taking a train. Ugh. Mark said if we do go, we need to take a day and head to Tampa to see our friend Dean. Fine by me. It's still in the thinking about phase, so we'll see.

Their only comment on the hair was 'why red?' to Mark. When he said because I wanted to do something different, they said, well it IS different. So no clue as to whether they liked it or not. Oh well. Chuck, their neighbor, liked it.

Today I did laundry early this morning. I thought the point of laundromats was that they had washers and dryers that worked. Apparently we are sadly mistaken. Only ONE of the large washers was working. And half the dryers were out of order too. Sheesh. Luckily I didn't have much this week, or I'd still be there.

Then I moved a bunch of old planters, and the dog kennel that we really need to get rid of, to make more room to build a raised garden bed. It's days like today that I miss the Truck not running. What I could have done in 1 load with the Truck, I had to do in 2 loads with the Car- once to Lowe's for more cinder blocks and gravel, then to Wally World for cheap (HAHAHAHA) topsoil that I can augment with compost. Sadly topsoil ain't cheap anymore. So I only got half of the bags I'm estimating needing.

After moving cinderblocks 3 times, bags of gravel 3 times, and bags of topsoil twice, I'm beat. Tomorrow, I'll spread the gravel and layer in what dirt I have. Hopefully Friday, i can get the rest of the topsoil I need, then I can get my seedlings all planted.

Went by Barnes& Noble, got 4 books, Mercedes Lackey's newest Luna book, Robert Aspirin's newest series 1st book and both reprinted copies of Robin McKingley's The Hero & the crown and The Blue Sword (I have original paperbacks, but I think only of one.}:( ) Then I hit Subway for lunch. Now I'm home and tired, and waiting for 4pm to roll around before I go pick up Mark from work.

If you haven't done so, go by the Etsy BeadWeavers blog and vote on this month's Challenge entries (mine's #17, hint, hint, hint}:P ), then go by SandFibers' blog , leave a comment saying you voted and be entered in a drawing to win one of her cool beadwork rings.

I entered this year's Bead Dreams competition. With my EBW Monthly Challenge entry piece. I find out by April 25th if I made it past the juried judging to the actual Competition itself. But I ENTERED, that's what matters.

Now, I must go take photos of DawnFire.