Tie-Dye Slumber Party (& mini-tutorial)

Happy Memorial Day! I hope you're all spending time with your loved ones. The anxiety (and reality)  has just set in on me today--I have a million things to do and pack before I leave for 6 weeks of out-of-state job training! I've been trying to squeeze in as much time with my Michigan friends as possible before I leave, so last weekend we had a T1 Tie-dye Slumber Party. I tie-dyed a white dress that I've held on to for a year with the intention of dying it.

THE BASICS OF TIE-DYING...

Step 1: Rubber band your clothing to create your design

Step 2: Check to see that you are satisfied with the amount of rubber bands used, and design created

Step 3: Make sure to wear gloves or your fingers will look like this once finsished

Step 4: Pour powdered dye into provided squeeze bottle; fill bottle with warm water and shake until powder is completely dissolved.

Step 5: Lay out plastic garbage bags to protect floor; one to set your dye bottles on and one for each piece of clothing (each piece of clothing should get tied up in a bag and set in the bathtub/sink for 24 hours before taking out rubber bands and washing)

Step 6: Start sqeezing your dye onto the clothes! Use no more than 2-3 different colors per piece of clothing & try using complimentary colors (this prevents brown results). Leave some white so that you will be able to see your design once completed.

Step 7: Leaving rubber bands in place, tie up each piece of clothing in its own plastic bag. Place in bathtub or sink for 24 hours.

Step 8: After 24 hours, open plastic bags and remove rubber bands. Rinse out as much dye from clothing in sink as possible. Wash on regular setting in washing machine. DO NOT WASH WITH OTHER CLOTHES FOR THE FIRST 2 WASHES!

TAH-DAH!!!

Now on to Magnificent Monday Movie. I don't know about you, but homegirl here loves popular music played on obscure instruments. Think about Stiffler's "Play That Funky Music" bagpipe stint in American Pie: Band Camp or this ridiculously talented dude. Well, this duo knocks other cellists out of the park.

The cello is the most sensational instrument ever. After the bagpipes, of course.

I'd love any links to other music videos like this--you know, pop culture songs played on your not-so-every-day instruments. Does this bring anything to mind? I'd also love to hear about your tie-dying adventures and/or tips!

Ninja Turtle In Need

Okay friends, if you've been wallowing in the Monday blahs, I have a quick story to pull you outta that! I was driving down a busy road today when I see a little turtle in MAJOR crisis mode. Poor little ninja was right in the middle of the road, all tucked inside his shell in distress :( I was about to swerve over and rescue said ninja, but low and behold...the Red Bull Man had screeched his huge truck to a hault and was running over to the little guy. That's right, Red Bull Man pulled the hero move and dashed out of his truck to save the frightened turtle! He safely tucked Donatello in the brush next to the "swamp" of the nearby apartment complex. There's proof that there ARE still kind-hearted people out there :)

I also have Magnificent Monday Movie for you, but first--I attended the East Lansing Art Festival this past weekend and snagged some amazing stuff! 

(Simply adorable brass-looking robot necklace)

(Pocket watch necklace)

(Awesome music-note headband that ties at base of neck & Elastic wooden bead belt)

(Snazzy purple flower hair clip)

I also went antiquing after the festival and got a bunch of cool stuff, including some sweet skeleton keys. Here are the nifty maps and skeleton lock I bought (all of which to be used in various mixed media projects):

Some of you may have just skipped right down to Magnificent Monday Movie, so let's do it. We all know I adore cats, but even if you don't, you have to love the ridiculousness (is that even a word?! It's an H-A word) of this video. You have to watch it at least twice to fully appreciate it; I guarantee if you do you'll laugh. My mom and I laughed until we cried :)

Because every cat needs a human to narrate for them.

Puffy Painting Party

There's nothing like a Ladies' Night that turns into a Puffy Painting Party! I can always count on my T1 ladies to keep things interesting (and artsy, at that). Our Ladies' Night began with dinner and ended with margaritas, good conversation, and some glow-in-the-dark puffy painted shorts.

I was pretty pumped that Cee sewed on my adorbs flower after the iron failed to deliver.

Having a glow-in-the-dark butt was at the top of my priorities.

Cee was much more practical and planned out her designs as I debated color schemes...

Kay is a master seamstress & the best wifey ever!

Based on previous puffy painting history, Kay insisted that I paint her T1 writing (I'm kind of a letter writing rockstar when it comes to puffy painting).

My glow-in-the-dark butt...and signature handwriting that I use in all of my art :)

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 

Hey it's Monday!!! You know what that means...Magnificent Monday Movie :) Have you guys ever heard of free-running? I hadn't until just recently, but it's pretty much the coolest sport EVER. Watching people free-run makes me feel like I can run up walls and take on the world! Well...maybe after I finish physical therapy...

Didn't cha here?! I'm the next Super Mario Brother! Errr I mean sister.

Have you guys ever heard of/seen anyhing like this before?! Uuuuummmm reactions please, because this is incredible!

Letting Go of Childhood

With less than a month left in Michigan, the countdown has really begun. Although I am excited to be moving to Tulsa, a piece of me will always remain in MI. My parents are selling my childhood home, which has been incredibly difficult on all of us. It's funny what "makes" home for each of us...the wild violets that stubbornly appear in our yard each year and the old vine that creeps across our brick with outstretched fingers--these are symbols of home for me. What are some symbols of home for you?

(Click on each photo to enlarge)

Tiger background

I officially have time for everything artsy, now that finals are over :) I finished another background, of which I believe will likely be a tree. It didn't turn out quite the way I had intended...in fact it rather looks like a tiger, haha! But everything changes once you add new textures and materials to a mixed media piece. You never know what you will end up with! I took some pictures of the finished background outside, but Mr. Sun created quite a few shadows...including a dark spot near the bottom that was in nearly every shot:

Okay, I know you're all waiting for Magnificent Movie Monday--so here it is!

 

Think your Monday is bad? This bride's having the worst day ever...

Oh hey, they're playing my song!

Guess what's happening this month, friends...It's the East Lansing Art Festival! I'm excited because this is the first year I'll actually get to attend. How silly considering I lived in EL for 6 years; now that I don't live there, I'm going. College always kept me too busy!

Anyone else have the Monday blues? Well I've got a cure for that--Magnificent Movie Monday!!!

Because everyone needs a cheerful song to do a happy dance to :)