Wordless Wednesday

 

Sharpie Tie Dye

 
 
 
 

So this is a project I read about on a blog and I thought that I would try it out because it was such a simple concept with such a cool looking outcome! I actually shared the idea with some fellow mommies in my playgroup and they really enjoyed it, too. Besides, it gave me a good chance to take some fun pictures of my boys.

If you are interested in Sharpie Tie Dyeing, this is how you do it.

Take a white shirt and make sure it's preshrunk. Then gather your supplies: Sharpie markers in all sorts of colors, isopropyl alcohol, eye dropper, a cup and rubberband.

Now for a little chemistry lesson which I LOVE! This girl loves her some science and really it's so simple.

Take your dry shirt and place in on the cup where you want to make your design. Then take your Sharpies and start making patterns. Small deliberate marks with some space between them work well. Also thin lines and shapes can work. Then the chemistry part. Take isoproyl rubbing alcohol in an eye dropper and put drops on your design. This dissipates the molecules of ink through the fibers of the fabric to make that cool tie dye look. Allow the alcohol to mostly evaporate before moving it off the cup. Them move the cup to the next spot and repeat. I let my circles overlap a bit and did different patterns, but you have free reign. Be sure to heat set your designs in the dryer or set your ink with vinegar/cold water and let dry before washing.

Silk Dyed Eggs

 
 
 

So lately I've been channeling my inner Martha Stewart... okay, not really. I haven't spent much time in the "big house" and don't make millions of dollars marketing pillow shams at KMart, but I have been digging into the craftier side of life and trying new things. So maybe I am more of a Rachael Ray kind of girl. (hee hee). I did take a gander at MS's website and found this intersting way of dying eggs and decided to try it out. SO COOL!!!
Items needed:
1. Eggs. Medium/small large ones seem to work pretty well.
2. Large pot, not aluminum. Preferably enamel or ceramic.
3. Silk swatches (I took old discarded neckties. You can find them at your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. Please do NOT go cut up dad's neckties!!
4. White cotton squares from an old pillow case or bed sheet
5. 1/4 cup vinegar
6. Water
7. Twist ties.


Take your egg and wrap the silk patterned side of swatch around it with the pattern touching the egg. Twist. Wrap the piece of cotton around the silk layer and twist. Secure with a twist tie or rubberband.

In a stockpot, boil water with 1/4 cup vinegar. Boil eggs for 20 minutes (they will start to float.) Remove from water and let dry. Unwrap eggs to see a delightful surpise!

**Silk swatches may be reused 2 to 4 times per MS's website, but I haven't tried it.

Happy Egg Dyeing!

Ian at a Birthday Party

 
 
 
 

 
 

Aaron at a Birthday Party

 
 
 
 

My Little Lunch Buddy

 
He was just too cute today so I snapped this photo with my iPhone. Sorry it's so grainy, but it was too cute not to share.

Dr Seuss Playdate

 
 
 
 
Dr Seuss would have celebrated his 106th birthday this past Tuesday. A friend of ours in the playgroup hosted a playdate with a Seussy theme. The kids made clovers with a speck from Horton Hears a Who, paper door hangers with the Cat in the Hat and the Grinch, and Cat in the Hat hats. She also had some lovely snacks. Green eggs and ham. Colored goldfish crackers and Swedish fish candies for One Fish, Two Fish..., and she made Cat in the Hat cookies with white chocolate dipped Ritz crackers and marshmallows. She did a fantastic job and the kids loved it. Her decorations were adorable, too. Such a fun playdate! Thanks, Ali!