Yesterday and the Weekend

Rayna wondered if I would be able to duplicate the layered silk piece I posted pictures of a week or so ago.  I love a challenge....especially when I've taken notes on how  I completed the process!  The photo above shows the first piece of silk on the right, and the new piece is on the left.  While I used the same dyes in the same sequence, I chose a different stencil for the second piece.  As you can see, the colors are almost exactly the same, and I believe that the only difference is that the second piece is on charmeuse whereas the first was done on crepe de chine.  While doing the first piece, I washed, dewaxed, and dried between dye applications, while on the second piece, I simply let it dry, applied more soy wax, and then more dye.  I like them both, and while the first technique uses more time and water, I think it produces more of a suggestion of depth.  I hope to do much, much more of this.

Here is a detail shot of the second piece:

The reddish background is actually more of a deep rust color, which is quite nice with the yellow orange and olive green.

C and I had a fun weekend in Atlanta, starting things off on Friday evening by attending the opening of a photography exhibit at Kai Lin Art, which is just down Peachtree from our little condo.  We loved viewing the work of many fine young, local photographers and look forward to seeing much more in the future.  On Saturday morning we headed out to make several stops, the first being at Kudzu, where we hoped to find the 'lamp lady' in her little stall.  She was indeed there, and was most helpful in guiding our choice in shades for two lamps, one being a vintage 70's lamp that we have lovingly lugged to every home since we purchased it new in Miami in 1972!  To think that things we acquired new early on in our marriage are now considered 'vintage'!  LOL   C spotted some wonderful old wooden print blocks, so I picked up a 2 and a 4!  Then he found a great old stainless steel lamp which looks just perfect in the condo - you'll have to trust me on that, as I forgot to take a picture!  I spotted two 'vintage' 70s stainless steel chairs with red vinyl seat covers.  They will look terrific in our newish kitchen, but they are still in Atlanta as my car is too small to accommodate them and Barker and me, plus C driving!   We split a healthy veggie sandwich at Southern Sweets Bakery, and then headed over to the Dekalb Farmers Market to pick up some fresh Fall veggies.  I don't know about you, but I just adore oven roasted Brussels Sprouts!  Have you ever tried oven roasting parsnips and carrots in just a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper?  YUMMMM!  But I digress!  Later that afternoon we saw "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" (the last in the Stieg Larsson trilogy) in subtitles at Midtown Arts Cinema.  If you intend to see it be aware that it is two hours and thirty minutes long, but I can attest to how good it is by saying that it wasn't until the last five minutes that I realized that I was sitting on the edge of my seat and my neck was stiff.  And, I have read the book, but the movie was still superb!!  We walked around the corner to Trader Joe's and did a quick bit of shopping and then enjoyed a lovely Indian dinner at Desi Spice.  The great thing about Midtown Promenade shopping center is that it contains such diverse spots: the great cinema, Trader Joe's, Richard's Variety next-door, and probably 15-20 wonderful restaurants.

I put the finishing touches on "Ultimo Tango" when we got back home on Sunday afternoon.  While I haven't snapped a picture of it in its entirety (36 x 72"), here is a detail shot: 

I hope you like it!

Don't forget to check out yesterday's post and leave a comment in regard to which book you would like to receive.  I'm saddened that more people aren't just leaving comments left and right about those books!  Don't be shy: make an old lady's day for heaven sakes!  LOL

PIECE