Monday 20 March 2017

Thinking Summer

I know! It is only the first day of Spring so why am I thinking Summer? I spent yesterday afternoon using my new ArtFoamies to print some new Hot Weather Scarves and that made me think of warm summer days.
stamped fabric strips
close up of new designs   
I started making Hot Weather Scarves in 2015 using some of my own stamps and some from ArtFoamies. They are hand made, hand stamped cotton 'bags' with gel beads that expand when soaked and provide hours of cooling comfort. Most of the scarves I make now are only 1 1/4" wide so they are more tie than scarf. These 'Cool Ties' are perfect for gardening, hiking or just hanging around in the sun. I also make 'Cool Bags' which are little gel bags that fit under a cap or hat to help keep your head cool.
one of my original designs
Last fall my daughter suggested that I should make some shorter scarves - or 'Cool Ties' - with more masculine designs and colours; something that would appeal to men working in the fields and forests. With the help of the internet, I designed some patterns and went to my friend Emmie at Emmie's Art Foamies
and asked her to make me some stamps. This is what she has made so far;
Tools, Trucks and Chainsaws
 Emmie is still working on more of my patterns and I hope I get them in time to make more Cool Ties for the coming summer.

Here are a couple more links where you will find more of Emmie's Art Foamies.
ArtFoamies on Facebook  and ArtFoamies on Etsy.  I hope you will check them out and share with your friends




10 comments:

  1. This is still the coolest idea and bet it works well. With global warming this would be the coming thing. Have you ever thought of an easy shop for these?

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    1. Hi Nelvia, the cool ties do work well. I have a few in my Handmade at Amazon shop but not in my Etsy shop. The problem with Etsy is that each item has to have its own post and that would be so many photos as each tie is different. I am going to wait and see how things go locally this year before I think about expanding although I don't want to have to become a production line - lol. Thanks - glad you like them.

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  2. Great idea, and those masculine stamps are fabulous!!

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    1. Thanks Win - they work very well and I hope that the masculine looks goes over well too.

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  3. Awesome Val. Wishing you success :)

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  4. I've never used one of these, but they sound like a great idea. Love the patterns! Good luck with these.

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    1. Glad you like them Joan. I had never used them before and didn't think I would like them as I don't like weight on my neck but they are very light and they really do help keep you cool. You can always buy one from me - lol, they would be perfect when you are painting during the summers! If you click on the label under my blog you will see some of my longer ties and different patterns. Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. You have created such beautiful scarves! What a great idea to make them cool ties! I'm dropping by from Liberate Your Art 2017. I received one of your postcards, #762, Birds Over Erickson! It's beautiful! I wish I could live in this valley, it's so peaceful looking! Oh, I almost forgot, your card arrived in Arkansas, USA. I've taken part in LYA since the very beginning and I enjoy it so much! I've looked around your blog, you're an amazing artist! I'm excited to own a piece of your art! Have a wonderful spring!

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    1. Hi Cathy, It is so nice to hear from you and I am glad you like the postcard. It is peaceful here. We have about 10,000 people in the area and may of us are retired - too old to fight - lol. This is my first year with LYA and I am so looking forward to 'meeting' artists from all over the world and getting a piece of their art. Thank you for the lovely compliment and I hope you will continue to follow my blog. I hope you have a wonderful spring too.

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